Nilufer Akman, LMFTA
ASSOCIATE THERAPIST
Location: Capitol Hill office and Online
Who I work with:
Individual adults (16+)
Couples
Families
Specialties:
Anxiety
Depression
Life and career transitions
Relationship challenges
Inter-cultural issues
Trauma
Office Hours: Telehealth availability Monday through Friday, in-person availability Monday, Tuesdays and Thursdays
Rate: $170 / session
Insurance: Able to bill in-network with many major insurers including all Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans, Lifewise, First Choice Health (including Kaiser PPO), Aetna, Cigna/Evernorth, Ambetter
Working under clinical supervision from Alison Keriter LICSW and Meredith Magder LMFT
Practice status: Now accepting new clients!
Hey there,
I’m Nilüfer Akman (she/her) and I'm originally from Türkiye, but I've been happily settled in the United States for the past eight years. My journey into therapy began in İstanbul, my cherished hometown, but an exciting twist led me to pursue my career under the sunny skies of California.
I earned my BA in Psychological Sciences with a minor in Anthropology at the University of California, Irvine. During my time there, I had the privilege of serving as a youth mentor for the Turkish community, an experience that deeply influenced my understanding of the importance of community building.
Seeing the struggles individuals and families face, I gained a profound appreciation for the power of support and care. This insight, combined with my passion for psychology, steered me toward the Marriage and Family Therapy Program at San Diego State University, where I completed a two-year extensive traineeship at a non-profit domestic violence agency in San Diego, serving immigrant and refugee communities.
Within my practice, I endeavor to cultivate a collaborative and nurturing atmosphere, promoting a sense of community. My goal extends beyond facilitating positive change during our sessions; I aspire to leave a lasting impact on the wider community. Utilizing a diverse range of training and experience, I offer a collaborative, non-judgmental, trauma-sensitive, social-justice-oriented, and culturally humble approach to therapy. My past clinical experiences include serving minorities and marginalized communities, as well as providing crisis intervention services. Drawing from client-centered methods, I integrate social constructivist, narrative, and solution-focused approaches into my practice.
Inspired by Michael White's belief that "problems are the problems, not people are problems," I strive to walk alongside people as they navigate their challenges, viewing them through this empowering framework. My methods are strengths-based and solution-focused, tailored to help individuals achieve their goals within an individualized, effective, affirming, and safe therapeutic environment.
I enjoy working with individuals, families, and couples across the lifespan. As a therapist committed to embracing intersectionality, I extend a warm invitation to individuals from all backgrounds, ensuring an inclusive and supportive environment for all. Additionally, I conduct sessions in both English and Turkish.
