Dr Nazli Balkir Neftci
Associate Professor & Allied
Psychologist in Dubai
Background
Dr Nazli Balkir Neftci is a DHA-licensed clinical psychologist and psychotherapist with almost two decades of experience in culturally sensitive mental health care and the treatment of a wide range of psychological disorders. She earned her PhD with honours in clinical psychology and psychotherapy from the University of Heidelberg, Germany, where she received a prestigious scholarship from the German Research Foundations Cluster of Excellence Initiative. During her pursuit of an associate professorship in clinical psychology, Dr Balkir Neftci continued her academic and clinical work at Istanbul. Since moving to Dubai in 2019, she has worked as a therapist, researcher and educator, building her professional experience throughout Europe, the Middle East and beyond. Fluent in English and Turkish, Dr Balkir Naftci services clients from diverse backgrounds, tailoring her therapeutic approaches to meet their cultural and psychological needs. She works with adult patients over 16 years old, providing individual psychotherapy to address a wide array of psychological disorders.
Clinical Practice Approach
Dr Balkir Neftci’s clinical practice emphasises trauma-informed care and cultural sensitivity, recognising the profound psychological effects of early trauma and adverse experiences on emotional regulation, interpersonal relationships and overall mental well-being. She provides compassionate support to individuals who have experienced abuse, violence, neglect and grief.
Additionally, she addresses a wide range of mental health conditions, encompassing but not limited to:
- Anxiety disorders.
- Depressive disorders.
- Obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD).
- Eating disorders.
- Personality disorders.
- Physical manifestations of emotional distress, such as chronic pain, sleep disturbances and fatigue.
- Adjustment disorders linked to stress, burnout and life transitions.
She employs evidence-based therapeutic approaches like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Schema Therapy and mindfulness-based techniques to help individuals navigate mental health challenges and improve emotional well-being.
