Elif Alkan
Mental Health Therapist
Elif Alkan (she/her/hers), MA, PLPC, is a strong believer in each individual being an expert of their own selves and that everyone has the power and strength to define the changes they want to make, and work towards excellence. As a mental health therapist, Elif believes that the mutual goal in a therapy space among a therapist and a client should be working to heighten quality of life. With guidance and unconditional positive regard, and by incorporating a secure and trusting therapeutic space, Elif trusts that therapeutic healing will transpire naturally. From infancy to adulthood, Elif will work to form a safe space for everyone willing to knock on her door regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, race, religion, and sexual orientation.
Elif applies Psychodynamic Therapy, Humanistic Therapy, Expressive Arts Therapy, and Mindfulness to explore emotional disorders like anxiety, depression, eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, trauma, and much more to promote self-exploration and growth towards healing and positive change. Elif is a true believer of the saying, “broken crayons still color”, this is why her aspiration is to help you recognize your colors!
Education & Experience
Elif earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Development and Family Studies with a minor in Dispute Management and Resolutions from The Pennsylvania State University in 2015. With her passion for working with children, she started teaching Turkish language and special education for grades K-2. After a year and a half of teaching, Elif decided to transition into her clinical counseling career by beginning her graduate schooling. Elif earned her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a focus in child and adolescent counseling at Northwestern University.
During her time at Northwestern, Elif focused her graduation project on mental disorders in infants and children. She studied external factors causing neuropsychological impairments from in utero to age 3 and preventative and interventive approaches for counselors to incorporate during infant mental health counseling.
During her graduate school, Elif worked as a counseling intern at two local sites, the Wellness Center at the Pittsburgh Job Corps Center and Mind, Body, Solutions LLC. During her practicum and internship Elif had the opportunity to work with a diverse range of individuals that she was able to help and learn from.
Elif is currently working toward earning her Pennsylvania licensure. She is also working towards becoming certified in Play Therapy and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).
Hobbies & Interests
As someone who is a strong supporter of multiculturalism, Elif spends her leisure time helping organize community activities and events to promote cultural awareness, dialogue and coexistence. Previously, Elif has volunteered as the Orphanage Project Manager at an international non-profit organization where she oversaw nearly thirty orphanages in Haiti and helped serve their needs by organizing volunteer groups to raise funds and supplies. Elif has been and will continue to be ambitious toward helping younger generations grow into healthy adults, as well as helping adults unleash their inner child to gain a greater quality of life.
How to Get Started
Elif provides in-person therapy at our Monroeville location as well as online therapy. You can reach us at 412-322-2129 or email us at info@counselingwellnesspgh.com to get started. Or contact us here.