Seda Ciftci-Sevil

Dr. Seda Ciftci-Sevil is a Clinical Psychologist in New York City specializes in anxiety and mood disorders, and academic and work related stress, and perfectionism. She sees adults in her practice, as well as children.

In her work with adults, she explores how childhood experiences and internalized messages dating back to early years impact client's current struggles with anxiety, mood or perfectionist tendencies. She provides psychoeducation regarding origin and function of symptoms, educates about CBT concepts and then moves to skill building, cognitive restructuring to help clients consider alternative perspectives to replace rigid and detrimental core beliefs. Clients gain insight to unhelpful self-talk and messages. They are also guided and supported in a warm therapeutic space to experience emotions without judgement. Often times clients have fear of "feeling their emotions" and the supportive and warm stance she takes encourages client to challenge and try new behaviors that lead to reduction of distress and increased satisfaction.

In her work with children, Dr. Ciftci-Sevil uses play therapy to make the experience as fun as possible for the child; that might include drawing, character creation, and other ways of incorporating imagination and play. She modifies evidence-based treatments like Coping Cat, Speak Up, Emotion Detectives to meet the developmental level and needs of the children she is working with. She has extensive experience treating Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Social Phobia, Panic Disorder and Depression using tailored interventions from Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy approach. 

Dr. Ciftci-Sevil welcomes clients from diverse backgrounds and walks of life, and is able to conduct therapy both in English and Turkish. She has experience working with diverse populations and understands the complexity of interactions between different cultures, languages, ethnic and religious backgrounds. She attended college and graduate school as an International student U.S. 20 years ago and and has a special interest in working with international students, expats and diverse individuals.