About me
I'm Dr. Deniz Küçüker.
I hold a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Master's and PhD degrees in Psychological Counselling. I have also completed professional trainings in Systemic Family Counselling and Existential Analysis.
Over the past nine years, I have provided more than 1,000 hours of individual counselling to over 300 clients. Alongside my clinical work, I have facilitated psychoeducational groups and workshops in both face-to-face and online settings. During my time as a university lecturer, the online well-being programme I developed during the COVID-19 pandemic reached more than 17,000 participants.
I moved to Hamburg in 2023. After working as a psychologist in social psychiatry, I began focusing on stress management, well-being, and preventive mental health initiatives. Since then, I have been involved in developing and delivering community-based projects in collaboration with local health authorities, health insurance providers, and local art institutions..
My approach combines evidence-based practice with creativity, reflection, and meaningful human connection. I am particularly interested in supporting people in developing greater self-awareness, emotional balance, and resilience in the face of life's challenges.
At Ara Mekân, I aim to create a welcoming and respectful "safer space" where people can explore their experiences openly and authentically. My work is grounded in trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming, and inclusive principles, with a commitment to ensuring that everyone feels seen, heard, and accepted.
Areas of Expertise:
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Individual Counselling
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Existential Counselling
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Client-Centred Counselling
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Systemic Family Counselling
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Emotion-Focused Couples Counselling
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Ontological Well-Being
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Existential Fulfilment
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Meaning in Life
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Courage
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Responsibility
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Secure Attachment
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Forgiveness-Unforgiveness
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Emotional Regulation
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Cognitive Flexibility
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Life Satisfaction
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Preventive Counselling Services
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Self-Awareness through Therapeutic Cards
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Psychoeducational Programmes
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Well-Being
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Nonviolent Communication
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Communication Skills
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Self-Compassion
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Work Experience
2025-...
Ara Mekân, Hamburg
2023–2025
Pflegedienst Vier Jahreszeiten GbR
Hamburg
2017 - 2023
Pamukkale University
Denizli
2014
Ministry of Family and Social Policies,
Pamukkale Social Services Centre
Denizli
2013
Ministry of National Education,
Ortak Nokta Special Education Centre
Denizli
Psychologist Dr.
Psychologist (M.A.)
Lecturer / Psychologist (M.A.)
Psychologist (B.A.)
Psychologist (B.A.)
Academic Qualifications
2019-2025
Ph.D.
Pamukkale University
Denizli, Türkiye
Psychological Counselling and Guidance
2014-2016
Master’s Degree
Pamukkale University
Denizli, Türkiye
Psychological Counselling and Guidance
2007-2011
Bachelor
Bilkent University
Ankara, Türkiye
Psychology
Academic Publications
Book Translations
Leahy, R. L. (2020). Don’t Believe Everything You Feel. (Trans. Deniz Küçüker, Betül Orman; Ed. Hülya Şahin Baltacı). Anı Publishing.
International Publications
Baltacı, H. Ş., Özkılıç, I., Küçüker, D., & Altan, T. (2023). Predictors of mental well-being among university students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mehmet Akif Ersoy University Journal of Education Faculty, 65, 288–313.
Şahin Baltacı, H., Küçüker, D., Özkılıç, I., Karataş, U. Y., & Özdemir, H. A. (2021). Investigation of Variables Predicting Depression in College Students. Eurasian Journal of Educational Research, 92, 211–225.
Şahin Baltacı, H., Küçüker, D., Karataş, U. Y., Özkılıç, I. and Özdemir, H. A. (2021). An examination of depression, social anxiety, state and trait anxiety levels among university students seeking help at a psychological counselling centre. OPUS – International Journal of Social Research, 18.
Conference Papers & Proceedings (International)
Şahin Baltacı, H., Altan, T., Küçüker, D., & Özkılıç, I. (2021). The Adaptation of the Pamukkale University Centre for Psychological Counselling and Guidance Education, Practice and Research to the Pandemic. 10th Symposium on University Psychological Counselling, Boğaziçi University, Istanbul.
Küçüker, D., & Arıcıoğlu, A. (2020). An Examination of the Phenomenology, Social Representations and Relationships with Various Variables of Dating Violence. 7th International Eurasian Educational Research Congress, Anadolu University, Eskişehir.
Küçüker, D. (2020). An Examination of the Role of Attachment and the Centrality of the Event in Social Traumas on the Individual’s Ontological Well-being and Life Meaning. 7th International Eurasian Educational Research Congress, Anadolu University, Eskişehir.
Küçüker, D., Duru, E., Orman, B., & Hasret, Y. (2020). Coping with COVID-19: An Examination of the Relationships Between Family Resilience, Social Support, Coping Styles and Anxiety Levels. 7th International Eurasian Educational Research Congress, Anadolu University, Eskişehir.
Hasret, Y., Duru, E., Küçüker, D., & Orman, B. (2020). An Examination of Personal Experiences During the COVID-19 Pandemic. 7th International Eurasian Educational Research Congress, Anadolu University, Eskişehir.
Orman, B., Duru, E., Hasret, Y., & Küçüker, D. (2020). An Examination of Children’s and Adolescents’ Personal Experiences Through Parents’ Eyes During the COVID-19 Pandemic. 7th International Eurasian Educational Research Congress, Anadolu University, Eskişehir.
Şahin Baltacı, H., Özkılıç, I., Küçüker, D., & Altan, T. (2020). The Psychological Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on University Students. 7th International Eurasian Educational Research Congress, Anadolu University, Eskişehir.
Şahin Baltacı, H., Özkılıç, I., Küçüker, D., Altan, T., Karataş, U. Y., & Özdemir, H. A. (2019). Establishment of the Psychological Counselling Centre Infrastructure System. 9th Congress on Psychological Counselling and Guidance Research in Higher Education, Marmara University, Istanbul.
Şahin Baltacı, H., Küçüker, D., Karataş, U. Y., Özkılıç, I., & Özdemir, H. A. (2019). Mental Health Profile of University Students Seeking Counselling at the Psychological Counselling Centre. 9th Congress on Psychological Counselling and Guidance Research in Higher Education, Marmara University, Istanbul.
Şahin Baltacı, H., Altan, T., Özkılıç, I., Küçüker, D., & Karataş, U. Y. (2019). Self-Awareness and Anger Expression Style as Predictors of Attitudes Towards Dating Violence Among University Students. 21st International Congress on Psychological Counselling and Guidance, Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University, Antalya.
Şahin Baltacı, H., Küçüker, D., Özdemir, H. A., Özkılıç, I., & Karataş, U. Y. (2019). An Examination of Depression, Social Anxiety, State Anxiety and Trait Anxiety Levels Among Students Seeking Counselling at a Psychological Counselling Centre. 6th International Eurasian Educational Research Congress, Ankara University, Ankara.
Şahin Baltacı, H., Özkılıç, I., Küçüker, D., Karataş, U. Y., & Özdemir, H. A. (2018). The Effect of a Communication Skills Psychosocial Training Programme on University Students’ Communication Skills. 5th International Eurasian Educational Research Congress, Akdeniz University, Antalya.
Şahin Baltacı, H., Küçüker, D., Özkılıç, I., Karataş, U. Y., & Özdemir, H. A. (2018). Reasons for University Students’ Visits to the Psychological Counselling Centre. 5th International Eurasian Educational Research Congress, Akdeniz University, Antalya.
Küçüker, D., & Çivitci, A. (2017). The Effect of a Transactional Analysis-Based Interpersonal Communication Skills Psychosocial Training Programme on University Students’ Communication and Problem-Solving Skills. 4th International Eurasian Educational Research Congress, Pamukkale University, Denizli.
Küçüker, D., & Duru, E. (2017). An Examination of the Relationships Between Forgiveness, Non-Forgiveness, Cognitive Flexibility, Emotion Regulation and Life Satisfaction. 4th International Eurasian Educational Research Congress, Pamukkale University, Denizli.
Şahin Baltacı, H., & Küçüker, D. (2017). Needs Analysis Regarding the Pamukkale University Centre for Psychological Counselling and Guidance Education, Practice and Research. 4th International Eurasian Educational Research Congress, Pamukkale University, Denizli.
Küçüker, D., & Duru, E. (2016). Validity and Reliability Studies of the Unforgiveness Scale. 3rd International Eurasian Educational Research Congress, Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University, Muğla.
Conference Papers & Proceedings (National)
Özdemir, H. A., & Küçüker, D. (2016). An Examination of the Relationship Between University Students’ Academic Risk-Taking Behaviours and Personality Traits. 13th National Congress of PDR Students (Oral Presentation), Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University, Muğla.
Özkan, Y., & Küçüker, D. (2016). The Use of Culturally Appropriate Metaphors in the Psychological Counselling Process: A Case Study of Turkish Culture. 13th National Congress of PDR Students (Poster Presentation), Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University, Muğla.