- Stress and anxiety
- Guilt and shame
- Trauma and grief
About Ilknur
Ilknur Citlak is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) with 16 years of experience. She practices in Massachusetts and works with adults who are coping with stress, anxiety, family difficulties, trauma and abuse, low self-esteem, depression, and related concerns including grief and relationship struggles.
She writes and talks with people in plain terms. Sessions focus on what is happening now and on practical steps that feel doable. Ilknur listens for how guilt and shame, attachment patterns, or caregiver stress shape day-to-day choices. She uses that information to guide conversations and planning.
Her approach is evidence-informed and goal-oriented. She helps people recognize patterns, test small changes, and build clearer communication with others. When trauma or panic symptoms are present, she pays attention to safety and pacing so work proceeds at a manageable speed.
Ilknur is comfortable working with issues that touch identity, including LGBT concerns and body image. She also supports people navigating career shifts, parenting stress, divorce and separation, and chronic caregiving demands. Language options include English and Turkish.
Her practice notes that sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time and that cost varies with location. To begin, the client selects the See online therapy options button, completes a short matching questionnaire, and schedules a first session.
How evidence-based approaches work in remote sessions
Two common evidence-based techniques used in practice are cognitive-focused work and skills-based behavioral strategies. Cognitive-focused work involves identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing them with small experiments; this can help when guilt, rumination, or harsh self-judgment make decisions harder. Skills-based behavioral strategies teach concrete steps such as grounding, activity scheduling, and communication rehearsals to reduce anxiety and improve daily functioning.Another helpful approach is paced trauma-informed care, which emphasizes slowing down, tracking triggers, and using brief stabilizing tools before addressing painful memories. This method is intended to keep the work manageable and to prioritize the person's sense of control while addressing post-traumatic stress or abuse-related symptoms.
Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will collaborate with the client to select which techniques to try, adapt them based on progress, and change course when something does not fit. That collaborative process helps match methods to the client's goals and preferences.
Confirm the specific session formats before booking, as the profile does not list formats explicitly. Many people find online sessions help fit therapy into work, caregiving, or travel schedules, and they can make it easier to keep shorter check-ins, avoid commuting, or choose sessions that better match daily routines. Licensed professionals can explain which formats they offer when you complete the matching questionnaire.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Experience
16+ years
Listed in
Massachusetts, Connecticut
Languages
English, Turkish
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, family conflict, trauma and abuse, depression, relationship struggles, grief, parenting stress, and related concerns such as guilt and shame.
How would she approach feelings of guilt or shame?
She focuses on identifying the patterns that keep those feelings active, discussing small behavioral changes, and using evidence-informed techniques to reduce their everyday impact.
What is her professional background?
She has 16 years of clinical experience and holds the credentials LCSW and LICSW, with practice in Massachusetts.
Where is she based and what credentials does she hold?
She practices in Massachusetts and is credentialed as CT LCSW and MA LICSW as noted in her profile.
Can I work with her in my language?
Sessions are offered in English and Turkish.
Does she accept clients from other countries?
International clients are accepted; check local regulations and the matching process before scheduling across jurisdictions.
How are sessions paid for?
Sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time and cost varies with location.
What should I do to get started?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger or thinking about harming yourself, use the crisis numbers.