You’re here
because you want more for your life.

You’re a sensitive high achiever, who sets big goals for yourself.

You have a great education, a successful business, and multiple accomplishments along the way... Yet your inner critic says you're not doing enough. I understand.

Some things are just easier when you're not alone.

You've felt different while growing up. Like you didn't actually belong. People might have thought that you were shy. It was just that you were overwhelmed by crowded places, loud noise, bright lights, and wanted some peace and quiet. Focusing on studying helped you to cope with all that overwhelm.

Nowadays, there are times when you feel stuck and struggle to get things done. If you could only stop overthinking and take action on your biggest goals. Having someone listening to you in a non-judgmental way and cheering you on in your journey could empower you to see things from a different perspective.

There might be times that you get stressed out about working to the extent of giving too much of yourself. You might be having difficulty dealing with anxiety, unprocessed trauma, and overwhelm. There might even be times that you feel like you are on the verge of burnout. It could be easier if you had someone by your side, who has been through what you are experiencing, to guide you through a process of transformation.

You could be looking for ways to improve your life, your overall wellbeing, and to reach your full potential to impact others through your work.

I help people ready to make a change, like you, who want to be happier.

You're always putting your efforts into making others happy, but that's coming with a cost. You're feeling stuck, stressed, and not enough.

Together we work on what you can do to change the dynamics in your life so that you are stronger, happier, healthier, supported and thrive in following your dreams.

Wondering how? Keep reading.

Δ My clients say I help them transform their whole life by taking one step at a time.

Δ My superpower is being able to see people’s true potential and guide them in bringing it to life.

Δ I have over 15 years of experience working with clients, from all around the world, helping them see the possibilities for themselves.

Δ I have a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Purdue University in the United States [so everything I do is based on science].

Δ I am an Associate Professor of Counseling and continue to develop myself through teaching and research.

Δ My background is in trauma work. I've been trained in EMDR [Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing] in the US through the EMDR Institute. EMDR is an effective approach to healing past wounds and traumatic life experiences that are keeping you stuck.

Δ I help people have a stronger relationship with themselves and their partner. I've been trained in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy through the International Center for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy [Ottawa, Canada].

Δ I help people release the anxiety, overwhelm and stress stored in their bodies through breathwork [Breathwork teacher training in California, USA].

Δ I believe in changing the world one person at a time, starting from ourselves. I'm a Search Inside Yourself Leadership Institute [California, USA] certified teacher on mindfulness-based emotional intelligence and leadership skills development program.

Δ My mission in life is to spread joy. I co-authored a book titled Happiness 2.0 [Elma Publications, in Turkish], which focuses on how to increase your mental and emotional wellbeing with evidence-based practices.

Above all, as a highly sensitive high achiever myself, I practice what I preach to live a fulfilling life and I want to help you create the transformation you want for yourself.

Life hasn't always been like this. My earliest childhood memories are about always feeling like an outsider, getting to know new people and places, and finding a way to rebuild my life each time starting from scratch.

We moved to the United States with my family due to my father’s job when I was 5-years-old and I couldn’t speak a word of English for quite some time. I felt lonely, really lonely. If you’ve ever felt like no one understands you, I definitely know what that feels like.

The moving phase of my life continued for about 18 years, until I started university. And when I did, things got even worse. You see, I’m a perfectionist. Or as I like to call it, a recovering perfectionist. If you are one yourself, you'd know that there are times that things can get out of control.

At least that was the case for me.

Working a lot and trying to control every piece of my life resulted in killing migraines, gastritis, prediabetes, chronic fatigue, and never-ending stress. This went on for over two decades.

When I felt like I couldn't take one more step, I decided to restructure my life.

My whole life changed with each decision I made. I took small steps, and with each step I took, I believed more in myself.

I made changes in my environment to support my health, and chose to surround myself with those who uplifted my spirit and challenged me to be my authentic self. To this day, I continue making further changes to support my health and wellbeing.

I am the happiest I’ve ever been and I know that life is much better when you spread the joy.

Seeing people happy gives me energy. I have an energetic, happy nature and it breaks my heart to see people suffering when a little shift can bring their immense potential. I want to facilitate that shift for you.

I know that life can get really difficult at times. I never gave up on myself and I won’t give up on you as long as you continue striving for a happier and healthier you.

Want to work together?

STEP 1. Click the button and pick a day and time.

STEP 2. Answer the short questions in the form.

STEP 3. Watch your email inbox. You’ll receive a confirmation and reminders.

STEP 4. Set the date and time on your calendar so you won’t miss the consult.

STEP 5. The consult! It takes place on a Zoom room and I’d love to learn more about you.

Got questions?

Send me an email at [email protected] and I’ll reply to you ASAP. Looking forward to connecting!

BOOK A COMPLEMENTARY CALL HERE

Publications

I use my research background in providing cutting edge counseling, consulting and training services. Over the years, I've conducted studies on psychological wellbeing, couples and family relationships, and work-life issues, and co-authored a book on happiness.

Book

Koydemir, S., & Bulgan, G. (2019). Mutluluk 2.0: İyi yaşama dair bilmediklerimiz [Happiness 2.0, in Turkish] (3rd Ed.). Ankara: Elma Publications.

Journal Articles

Bulgan, G., & Çiftçi, A. (2018). Work-family balance and psychosocial adjustment of married international students. Journal of International Students, 8(2), 1079-1107. doi: 10.5281/zenodo.1231390.
Bulgan, G. (2018). Children’s perceptions of tests: A content analysis. European Journal of Educational Research, 7(2), 159-167. doi:10.12973/eu-jer.7.2.159.
Bulgan, G., Kemer, G., & Çetinkaya Yıldız, E. (2018). Marital satisfaction of Turkish individuals: The role of marriage type, duration of marriage, and personality traits. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 8(1), 88-97.
Atalay, Z., Aydın, U., Bulgan, G., Taylan, R. D., & Özgülük, S. B. (2017). Bilinçli-Farkındalık Temelli Öz-yeterlik Ölçeği-Yenilenmiş (BFÖÖ-Y): Türkiye uyarlama çalışması [Mindfulness-Based Self Efficacy Scale-Revised (MSES-R): Turkish adaptation study]. İlköğretim Online [Elementary Education Online], 16(4), 1803-1815. doi: 10.17051/ilkonline.2017.342994
Bulgan, G., & Çiftçi, A. (2017). The interplay of work-family life and psychosocial adjustment for international graduate students. International Journal of Human and Behavioral Science, 3(1), 1-10. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.19148/ijhbs.345808
Bulgan, G., & Çiftçi, A. (2017). Psychological adaptation, marital satisfaction, and academic self-efficacy of married international students. Journal of International Students, 7(3), 687-702. doi: 10.5281/zenodo.570028
Aydın, U., & Bulgan, G. (2017). Çocuklarda Sınav Kaygısı Ölçeği’nin Türkçe uyarlaması [Adaptation of Children’s Test Anxiety Scale to Turkish]. İlköğretim Online [Elementary Education Online], 16(2), 887-899. doi: 10.17051/ilkonline.2017.304742
Kemer, G., & Çetinkaya Yıldız, E., & Bulgan, G. (2016). Emotional Dependency and Dysfunctional Relationship Beliefs as Predictors of Married Turkish Individuals' Relationship Satisfaction. The Spanish Journal of Psychology. Published Online: November 2, 2016. doi: 10.1017/sjp.2016.78
Kemer, G., Bulgan, G., & Çetinkaya, E. (2016). Gender differences, infidelity, dyadic trust, and jealousy among married Turkish individuals. Current Psychology, 35(3), 335-343. doi: 10.1007/s12144-014-9298-2
Canel-Çınarbaş, D., Çiftçi, A., & Bulgan, G. (2013). Visiting shrines: A Turkish religious practice and its mental health implications. International Journal for the Advancement of Counselling, 35(1), 16-32. doi: 10.1007/s10447-012-9162-8
Çetinkaya, E., Kemer, G., Bulgan, G., & Tezer, E. (2008). İkili İlişkiler Güven Ölçeği’nin geçerlik ve güvenirlik çalışmaları [The validity and reliability studies of the Dyadic Trust Scale]. Türk Psikolojik Danışma ve Rehberlik Dergisi [Turkish Psychological Counseling and Guidance Journal], 3(29), 75-77.

Book Chapter

Bulgan, G., & Çiftçi, A. (2018). Career counseling for international students: Using the framework of Social Cognitive Career Theory. In K. Bista (Ed.). International student mobility and opportunities for growth in the global marketplace, pp. 203-213. Hershey, PA: IGI Global Publications. doi: 10.4018/978-1-5225-3451-8

Conference Presentations

Bulgan, G. (2019). Mindfulness, self-esteem, and burnout in counselors and psychologists working at schools. International Psychological Applications Conference and Trends, May 4-6, Zagreb, Croatia.
Bulgan, G. (2017). Increasing mental health professionals' self-esteem through mindfulness and happiness. 2nd Eurasian Congress on Positive Psychology, May 12-14, Istanbul, Turkey.
Bulgan, G. (2017). Elementary and middle school students' perceptions of tests. International Psychological Applications Conference and Trends, April 29 - May 1, Budapest, Hungary.
Bulgan G., Kemer, G., & Çetinkaya Yıldız, E. (2015). Family type, duration of marriage, and personality traits in relation to marital satisfaction. International Association for Counseling Conference, September 3-6, Verona, Italy.
Çetinkaya Yıldız, E., Kemer, G., & Bulgan, G. (2015). Emotional dependency and dysfunctional relationship beliefs as predictors of relationship satisfaction. International Association for Counseling Conference, September 3-6, Verona, Italy.
Dorantes, D., Küçükaydın, H., Özlem, Ş., Bulgan, G., Aydın, U., Turan, S. S., Karamollaoğlu, N., & Fialho, F. (2015). Improved business model representation of innovation concepts. World Conference on Technology, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship, May 28-30, Istanbul, Turkey.
Balın, E., Kemer, G., Bulgan, G., & Can, A. (2013). Studying psychological counseling in the U.S.: Narratives from four different journeys. International Association for Counselling 2013 World Congress, September 8-11, Istanbul, Turkey.
Bulgan, G. (2013). Counseling Meets Technology: The Story Of A Career Journey. International Association for Counselling 2013 World Congress, September 8-11, Istanbul, Turkey.
Bulgan, G., & Çiftçi, A. (2012). The application of Social Cognitive Career Theory to career needs of international students. 120th Annual American Psychological Association Convention, August 2-5, Orlando, FL, USA.
Bulgan, G., & Çiftçi, A. (2011). Work-family balance and psychosocial adjustment of international students. 119th Annual American Psychological Association Convention, August 4-7, Washington, D.C., USA.
Çiftçi, A., & Bulgan, G. (2010). “Thinking outside of the box:” Being an international psychology intern. 118th Annual American Psychological Association Convention, August 12-15, San Diego, CA, USA.
Bulgan, G., & Çiftçi, A. (2009). Psychological adaptation, marital satisfaction, and academic self-efficacy of married international students. 117th Annual American Psychological Association Convention, August 6-9, Toronto, Canada.
Duan, C., Çiftçi, A., Joshi, C., & Bulgan, G. (2009). Maximizing international students’ contributions to and training outcome in counseling psychology. 26th Annual Winter Roundtable on Cultural Psychology and Education, February 20-21, Teachers College, Columbia University, NY, USA.
Çetinkaya, E., Kemer, G., & Bulgan, G. (2008). The old story of marriage: An attempt to understand jealousy in Turkey. XVI World International Family Therapy Association Congress, March 26-29, Porto, Portugal.
Çetinkaya, E., Bulgan, G., Kemer, G., & Tezer, E. (2008). The relationships of gender, dyadic trust, and dimensions of jealousy in marriage: A study on a Turkish sample. XVI World International Family Therapy Association Congress, March 26-29, Porto, Portugal.
Bulgan, G., Ghaffari, A., Donatelli, S., & Çiftçi, A. (2008). Acculturation models: Applications and future directions. 37th Annual Meeting of the Society for Cross-Cultural Research, February 20-23, New Orleans, LA, USA.
Bulgan, G., & Gülerce, A. (2006). 21. Yüzyılın başlarında Türkiye’de ailenin psikolojik yapısına ilişkin çeşitli değerlendirme ve kestirimler [Assessment and presumptions regarding the psychological structure of the Turkish family in the beginning of the 21st century]. 14th National Psychology Congress, September 6-8, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.

You’re here because you want more for your life.