PROFESSIONAL HISTORY

7/2014 - present  Psychotherapist and Coach       Private Practice, Seattle, Washington               Providing  psychotherapy and internet coaching services to individuals, couples and groups.  Special focus areas: Cultural adjustment, sexuality and intimacy, couples therapy, and trauma informed treatment for survivors and perpetrators of abuse.  

10/2008 - present   Cross-Cultural Clinical Psychologist/Consultant, Founder and Director       Pomegranate Connection Program,  Ankara, Turkey and Seattle, Washington                Cross-cultural psychotherapy research, training and consultation services. Organizational and project development and management in this international non-governmental organization focused on sexual and family violence.

Projects and clients include:

  • Quaker Council for European Affairs, Brussels Belgium. 14 month program providing training and monthly supervision to Helpers for forced Migrants around Europe.

  • Migrant Service Workers in Europe Trauma Sensitive Training Program. Week-long training in Cusercoli, Italy of Italian, Turkish and British service providers.

  • Trainings in three cities for lawyers and Syrians providing legal aid services to Syrians in Turkey. Topic areas: trauma informed services, cultural issues in implementation of law, and gender based violence.

  • UNFPA, Gender Based Violence Consultant, Turkey Country Office Ankara. Developing and implementing a GBV prevention and intervention program for Syrians in Turkey.

  • US Department of State, Cross-cultural comparisons, family and sexual violence in the United States and Turkey, best practices in prevention and treatment. A speaking tour in Bursa and Izmir, Turkey.

  • US Department of State, Effective Treatment and Prevention of Family Violence in the Name of “Honor”: Cross-Cultural Professional Dialog, one month speaking tour in New York City and Washington State, USA.

  • Bahçeşehir University Law School and American Bar Association, Istanbul: Designing and delivering training for professionals in ten different districts around Turkey.

  • Individual and Societal Mental Health Association, Ankara: Clinical research and trauma treatment.

  • Çankaya Municipality Shelter House, Ankara: Ongoing training for staff and organizational development services. Part time, 2 years.

  • Gaziantep Şahinbey Lions Club, Gaziantep: Organizing a Service Network confronting violence against women in Gaziantep Municipality. 12 month project

  • United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Ankara: Training for staff with attention to Secondary Trauma and Gender Based Violence.

  • Civil Society Development Center, Adana: Training staff of İştar Women’s Counseling Center in Mersin.

  • Turkish Ministry of Justice, Prisons and Probation, Ankara: Consultation on development of sexual violence victims services program within the Turkish national probation department.

  • Flying Broom Women's Communications and Research Association, Ankara: Project development and management support.

3/2017- 6/2017     Guest instructor                                                                   Seattle University Master of Arts in Psychology program, Seattle, Washington                               Teaching a graduate-level course on Culture and Mental Health.

3/2013 - 7/2014     Gender Based Violence Consultant                                                                      United Nations Population Fund, Ankara, Turkey                                                                           Developing and implementing a GBV prevention and intervention program as part of the Humanitarian Team serving Syrians in Turkey due to the Syrian civil war. Included a pilot training and public education program in refugee camps and responsibility for a Turkish National GBV Working Group in collaboration with the Turkish Ministry of Family and Social Policy and Disaster and Emergency Directorate. 

9/2010- 2/2011       Guest Instructor                                                                                                Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey                                                                   Teaching an undergraduate psychology course: Applied Topics in Cross-cultural Psychology.

9/1997-10/2008      Founding Director                                                                                         PeaceWorks International, Bainbridge Island, Washington                                                        Founding member of Directors Group for non-profit educational and consulting organization. Organizational development consultation, and administrative services. Developing and implementing cross-cultural programs.

3/2003 – 10/2008      Psychotherapist                                                                                                  Private Practice, Bremerton and Bainbridge Island, Washington                                                       Individual, group, couple and family therapy in a private practice setting.

9/2004-6/2008       Adjunct/ Visiting Lecturer                                                                          Seattle University, Psychology Department, Seattle, Washington                                     Teaching undergraduate psychology courses, Growth and Development, Psychology of Gender, Introduction to Psychology and Senior Seminar.

10/2002-10/2003    Initiative Co-ordinator                               
Lisle Incorporated, Leander Texas
Developer and co-coordinator of an initiative for this non-profit intercultural education organization. Develop and co-ordinate the creation of collaborative program. Design and implement with collaborators programs that train teachers to be effective leaders of diverse intercultural groups

1/1995-5/2001    Adjunct /Visiting Professor                       
St. Martins College, Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology Program, and Undergraduate Psychology departments.  Olympia Washington
Teaching graduate and undergraduate level courses:
Group Therapy, Individual Therapy, Body/MindPsychology, Assessment and Treatment Planning, Introduction to Psychology, Human Sexuality, Psychology of the Family, Culture and Psychology.

7/2001 & 8/2002    Leader/ International Cultural Exchange Programs               
PeaceWorks International and Lisle Incorporated
Developed and co-led 3 week programs based in Oregon for highly diverse groups of participants from North America, Turkey and other countries.  Theme: sustainable living and housing projects in Western Oregon.

7/2000 & 5/2002    Leader/ International Cultural Exchange Program               
Lisle Fellowship, Temperance Michigan
Developed 3 week programs and led groups of Americans traveling in Turkey; Themes were people-to-people cultural exchange, and contemporary Turkish women.

1/1991- 9/2000    Group Co-coordinator                                      
Olympia Mental Health Service, Group Health Cooperative
Development and coordination of group therapy program for outpatient mental health department in a Health Maintenance Organization.

3/1990- 9/2000    Masters Level Therapist                                  
Group Health Cooperative, Olympia Washington
Providing brief psychotherapy, crisis intervention and group psychotherapy for individuals, couples and families.

9/1999-5/2000    Teacher                                   
Olympia Waldorf School, Olympia Washington
Taught Life Skills: Social and Emotional Education course to 6th and 7th grades.

7/1999    Leader/ International Cultural Exchange Program               
HeartWarrior Institute and Lisle Incorporated
Developed and led program in Washington State for North American and Turkish high school students.  Theme: environmental restoration projects in collaboration with local Native American tribes.

6-7/1998    Leader/ International Cultural Exchange Program                
Lisle Fellowship, Temperance Michigan
Developed program and led a group of Americans traveling in Turkey, Visiting ancient goddess related sites for 3 1/2 weeks.

9/1995- 4/1996    Associate Organizational Development Consultant               
Organizational Resource Group,  Olympia Washington
Participated in development, marketing and provision of consultation services for this Organizational Development Consultation Firm.

7/1994    Unit Leader in Training/ International Cultural Exchange Program       
Lisle Fellowship, Temperance, Michigan
Leader in Training for a group of sixteen Americans visiting community development projects in Uganda, East Africa for 3 1/2 weeks.

1989-1993    Teacher                                         
The Evergreen State College, Leisure Education Program, Olympia, Washington
Development and teaching of five workshops and one 10 week course on myth, creativity and psycho-spiritual enrichment for women.

1990-1995    Grays Harbor College, Women’s Studies Program             
Presented workshops at five conferences and retreats on storytelling, myth, and women’s psycho-spiritual development.

5/1989- 3/1990    Mental Health Specialist/ Intern                              
Group Health Cooperative, Olympia, Washington
Providing intake, crisis intervention, brief focal psychotherapy and co-leading groups under direct supervision.

6/1984-6/1988    Owner /Operator                                        
Mother Pearl Mushrooms, Deadwood, Oregon
Developed and co-operated this family agricultural business, growing oyster mushrooms.

9/1982- 6/1983    Paraprofessional Counselor/ Intern                          
The Evergreen State College, Counseling Center,  Olympia Washington
Providing group and individual counseling services at this student operated center.

EDUCATION

Doctor of Philosophy, Cross-Cultural Psychology and Education
The Union Institute and University | Cincinnati, Ohio | July 2003                                                      Interdisciplinary program, Dissertation title: Learning from intercultural experience in the lives of Turkish and Euro-American women.

Master of Arts, Psychology
Antioch University | Seattle, Washington |March 1990
Interdisciplinary program: clinical psychology, intercultural communication and cultural factors in psychology.

Bachelor of Arts, Interdisciplinary                                                                                                    The Evergreen State College | Olympia,  Washington | May 1983
Interdisciplinary program:  psychology, sociology and anthropology.

Major: Comparative Religion Minor: Psychology                                                                 Harvard University | Cambridge, Massachusetts | Sept. 1977- May 1979                                  

PUBLICATIONS

Welkin, L. Candansayar, S. & Sayin, A. (2015) Systematizing Cultural Awareness: Toward a Model for Modification of Trauma Therapy Approaches and an Application in Turkey. Transcultural Psychiatry 0(0) 1-19 DOI: 10.1177/1363461515578061.

Welkin, L. (2014) Why Work Across Cultures? In McFarlane M. A. and Canton R. eds.  Policy Transfer in Criminal Justice: Crossing Cultures, Breaking Barriers. London: Palgrave Macmillan. 

Welkin, L. (2014) True Friend: For Women Who Have Experienced Sexual Abuse: How to be a Friend to Yourself How to be a True Friend to a Survivor.  Pomegranate Connection Program. Indiana: Dog Ear Publishing. 

Welkin, L. (2013) Who Holds the Key to your Box? Trust, Safe Space and Culture. Group: Journal of the Eastern Group Psychotherapy Society. 37.2 155-166. 

Welkin, L. (2012) Dost: Cinsel Istismar Yaşamış Kadınlar İçin Kendinize Nasıl Dost Olabiliriniz İstismar Atlatan Bir Kadına Nasıl Gerçek Bir Dost Olabilirsiniz. 2nci Basım. Ankara: Nar Bağı Programı, U.S. Embassy Ankara. 

Welkin, L. (2011) Dost: Cinsel İstismar Yaşamış Kadınlar İçin Kendinize Nasıl Dost Olabilirsiniz İstismar Atlatan Bir Kadına Nasıl Gerçek Bir Dost Olabilirsiniz. Ankara: Nar Bağı Programı, Finlandiya Büyükelçi 

Welkin, L. (2011). “Kutunun Anahtarı Kimde? Güven, Güvenli Yer ve Kültur İlişkisi Üzerine”. Mekan ve Kültür. Der. Emine Onaran Incirlioğlu ve Barış KılıçbayKültür Araştırma Derneği: Tetragon: Istanbul. 223-229. 

Sayin, A. Candansayar, S. and Welkin, L. (2013) Group Psychotherapy for Turkish Survivors of Sexual Abuse:  What did they find Helpful? Journal of Clinical Nursing 22. 23-24. 3249-3258.

SELECTED PRESENTATIONS

Therapists as Agents of Social Change: A report from the borders of a globalized war in the Middle East. Harborview Center for Sexual Assault and Traumatic Stress, Seattle, Washington, Feb. 2015

The Syrian Refugee Crisis in Turkey and Gender Based Violence: What can Europe Do?               House of Lords, London, United Kingdom, June 2014

Understanding the problem of gender based violence in humanitarian crises: Interventions with Syrian refugees.   The British Institute at Ankara, Ankara Turkey.  November 2013

Honor in the Family: Culture, Conflict and Identity  International Trauma Treatment Program, Olympia Washington.     March 2012

Responding to Middle Eastern Immigrants: Family Violence in the Name of “Honor”. Washington State Department of Corrections.  SeaTac City Hall, Washington.   March 2012

Pomegranate Connection: Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault in Turkey.  King County Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Seattle Washington.  March 2012

Deadly Honor: Protecting Family, Sexuality and Legacy to the Death.  Antioch University, Seattle, Washington USA   March 2012

Treating Family Violence:  A cross cultural perspective.  Kitsap County Therapy Network, Silverdale Washington, USA  March 2012

Culture in Family and Sexual Violence: What we need to know.   King County Sexual Assault Resource Center, Renton, Washington, USA.   March 2012

Practicing Cultural Awareness: Honor in Group Trauma Therapy with Women Survivors of Sexual Abuse in Turkey.   American Group Psychotherapy Assoc. Annual Conference, New York City USA.   March 2012 

Cultural Adaptation of Trauma Treatment Methods. American Group Psychotherapy Association Annual Conference, New York City, USA   March 2011

Preventing Family Violence and Sexual Abuse: Coupling Accountability with Treatment, a global perspective.   King County Community Corrections Officers, Washington State Department of Corrections, Seattle WA USAFebruary 2011

 Culture in Domestic Violence Intervention.  Domestic Violence Intervention Team, Probation Services,  London, United Kingdom.   February 2011

 Cross Cultural Comparisons in Trauma Therapy Groups.  Turkish National Psychiatric Conference, Izmir, Turkey   October 2010

Cross-Cultural Trauma Treatment. International Human Science Research Conference, Seattle, WA USA    August 2010

Effectiveness of Cross Cultural Trauma Therapy Groups. International Network for Trauma Research, Olympia, WA USA     August 2010

Group Treatment for Traumatized Women Justice Ministry of The Turkish Republic,  Ankara, Turkey            October 2009

Sexual Violence and Treatment   Platform Against Sexual Violence Conference, Istanbul, Turkey July 2009

Trauma Treatment in Groups. Bilkent University Counseling and Student Development Services, Ankara Turkey.   Feb. 2009

Trauma Treatment in Groups   Gazi University Psychiatric Residency program November 2009

Listening Differently to Muslim Women. International Human Science Research Conference, Ramapo, New Jersey. June 2008

Culture and Practice. Quarterly Professional Meeting, Bainbridge Island Psychotherapy Guild.      May 2008

Listening Differently to Muslim Women.  Wismer Lecture Series, Seattle University. January 2008

An Inside Look at Gender based Groups Quarterly Professional Meeting, Puget Sound Group Psychotherapy Network.   Sept. 2007

Cultures of the Middle East: Meanings and Motivations Behind Current Events. Public presentation, Bainbridge Island Public Library.   June 2004

Relational Empowerment: Cross cultural descriptions of women’s strength through relationship. Annual Conference, Peace and Justice Studies Association. October 2003

Relational Empowerment: The power of relationship in the lives of women  Women’s forum:  Bainbridge Island, Washington. May 2003

What Price Security?: The psychology of fear and social differences. Bainbridge Island High School American studies classes.  Winslow, Washington.   May 2003

Orality and a Play Reading: Experience/Text/ Experience.  Union Institute and University Peer day reading of a play I wrote.  March 2003

Thinking Systemically about Social Justice: 21st Century Consciousness Raising.   Annual Conference,  Consortium on Peace Research, Education and Development.  The Evergreen State College, Olympia, Washington. October 2001.

Women, Stories and Ritual. Union Institute and University Peer day.  June 2001

Drug Abuse Prevention program for grades 7 and 8   Nova Middle School, Olympia, WashingtonMarch 1997 and March 1999

The Power of Groups: Developing a Clinic Program for Using Time-limited Groups  National Conference, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound.  Seattle Washington October 1993.