We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Idil Ozturk. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Idil below.
Hi Idil, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
I found my purpose by going after the things that inspired and interested me the most and having really great mentors. I went into college with the goal of being pre-med and was neuroscience major. I found myself drawn to the classes and experiences that focused on human behavior and social systems. I felt strongly about social justice and empowering others in a way that valued who they are as an individual. I had a great professor who told me, “it sounds like you want to do social work”, after college I worked in inpatient psychiatry and went on to get my masters in social work at Columbia University. I always loved listening to people’s stories, helping others, and building community. I worked in programs for people with disabilities and chronic illness. I was very lucky to be a social work intern at a community-focused mental health program, because there aren’t so many of these running anymore due to budget cuts and funding issues. I felt inspired by the people I met in my work and enjoyed supporting them through counseling and group therapy. These experiences solidified my passion for this work and reminded me I’m on the right path in my career.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I’m a therapist in private practice in New York. I worked in group practices for years and recently launched my own solo practice! I work with clients who experience anxiety, relationship issues, and are navigating life transitions. I also am a couples therapist and write a blog on my website that helps make therapy concepts more accessible and understandable for everybody. I believe that therapy is a space for people to feel safe and accepted, I help people feel empowered to improve their lives and their relationships. I’m currently accepting new clients in the state of New York and really excited about the process of being a business owner and entrepreneur. I’m passionate about helping people increase their self-compassion and resilience through therapy.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Patience – it takes a lot of time and effort to build a thriving private practice. We all have to start at the very beginning and there is no substitute for time. I’ve learned to be patient and humble throughout this process, and accept that there is always more to learn. I am really lucky to have great mentors and colleagues for support and guidance. I’m someone who strives for the best in my work, so I try to remind myself to be patient, things happen at the right time.
Authenticity – Perhaps not surprising since I’m a therapist, but my ability to connect authentically with other people has definitely helped me so much in my career. I try to bring a warm and graceful energy into the room. I use my sense of humor and authenticity to connect with my colleagues and my clients. I think being genuine and authentic requires some level of courage, it makes you more relatable and trustworthy. I believe that showing up authentically has helped me build deeper connections with my community.
Curiosity – The field of psychotherapy is so vast, there is always more to learn. I love that I work in an exciting field where there is endless knowledge and training available to me to help me improve the work I do with clients. Curiosity helps me stay focused on learning more and improving my skills as a therapist. Right now I’m learning more about polyvagal theory and the Gottman method for couples therapy. Staying curious and open-minded is also crucial in the work I do with clients. I treat each client as an individual and remain curious about understanding their unique story and journey.
How would you describe your ideal client?
I love working with many different types of clients. I work with a lot of young women who are feeling anxious about their careers, their relationships, dating and other life transitions that happen in your 20s and 30s. I also see clients living with difficult family dynamics, chronic medical conditions and trauma. Therapy is a collaborative process, so I work best with clients who are consistent and ready to participate in therapy. It’s important to note: it’s okay to not know where to begin, we’ll work together to help you identify and achieve your goals. Therapy requires a lot of courage and vulnerability, so even taking the leap to get started is a huge accomplishment worth celebrating!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.idilozturkpsychotherapy.com/
- Other: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/idil-ozturk-new-york-ny/1348025
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