BIO
I received my Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from University of Massachusetts Boston following a terminal master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling. I completed my APA Accredited internship at University of Connecticut Counseling and Mental Health Services and fulfilled my post-doctoral fellowship at Boston College University Counseling Services. Upon completing my training, I worked as a staff psychologist at Tufts University Counseling and Mental Health Service. I have over five years of clinical experience.
I have extensive clinical experience at college counseling centers that have helped me develop my identity as a generalist, with skills in brief and long-term individual therapy, group therapy, diverse populations, crisis management, outreach, and assessment. I have been providing long-term and short-term individual therapy to a diverse population with respect to race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, nationality, and socioeconomic status. I work with a variety of presenting issues such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, identity issues, relationship problems, vocational issues, developmental concerns, and stress management. I also have experience working with underserved youth who presented with a wide range of behavioral, social, and emotional challenges. This experience contributed to my understanding of adolescent development and helped me gain knowledge and experience in substance abuse issues.
I have special interest in issues of cultural and diversity issues; complex trauma and resilience; identity development; attachment; interpersonal conflict and close relationships; and personal, social, emotional, and vocational development during emerging adulthood and beyond.
My approach emphasizes genuineness, respect for the individual, and compassion. I strive to provide a safe and empowering environment for my clients.
As an international person/immigrant myself, I am particularly interested in working with immigrants and international people. I also provide therapy in Turkish.
Besides my clinical experiences, I have also been actively involved in teaching and research. I teach master’s level abnormal psychology, assessment, vocational counseling, research, and ethics courses as Adjunct Faculty at UMass Boston. I have conducted extensive research on developmental issues and well-being of emerging adults (ages 18-29). These experiences tremendously contribute to my clinical work.
I am a member of the American Psychological Association.
Curriculum Vitae
EDUCATION
Doctorate of Philosophy in Counseling Psychology, 08/2017
University of Massachusetts Boston
Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling, 08/2012
University of Massachusetts Boston
Master of Science in Psychological Counseling and Guidance, 08/2010
Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey
Integrated Bachelor and Masters of Science in Chemistry, 06/2007
Bogazici University, Istanbul, Turkey
WORK EXPERIENCE
Owner/Director/Supervisor, 03/2022-Present
CampusCare Counseling, PLLC
Psychologist in Private Practice, 07/2019-Present
Selda Celen-Demirtas, Ph.D., PLLC
Staff Psychologist, 08/2018 - 06/2019
Tufts University Counseling and Mental Health Service(CMHS)
Medford, MA
Adjunct Lecturer, 2013 - Present
University of Massachusetts Boston
Boston MA
Courses Taught
Abnormal Psychology
Research and Evaluation in Psychology
Ethical Standards and Professional Issues in Counseling
Vocational Development and Career Information
Principles of Vocational, Educational, and Psychological Assessment
TRAININGS
Clinical Trauma Professional Training Level I, May 2020
Clinical Trauma Professional Training Level II; Certified Professional in Complex Trauma Treatment
PRE-LICENSE TRAINING
Post-Doctoral Fellow, 08/2017 – 07/2018
Boston College, University Counseling Center (UCS)
Newton, MA
Pre-Doctoral Internship – APA Accredited, 08/2016 – 07/2017
University of Connecticut, Counseling and Mental Health Services (CMHS)
Storrs, CT
Assessment and Outreach Practicum, 09/2015 – 05/2016
University of Massachusetts Boston
Boston, MA
Pre-Doctoral Practicum, 08/2015 – 05/2016
Emerson College, Counseling and Psychological Services
Boston, MA
Pre-doctoral Practicum, 09/2013-05/2015
Brandeis University, Psychological Counseling Center (PCC)
Waltham, MA
RESEARCH/PUBLICATIONS
Konstam, V., Karwin, S., Curran, T., Lyons, M., & Celen-Demirtas, S. (2016). Stigma and divorce: A relevant lens for emerging and young women? Journal of Divorce and Remarriage, 57(3), 173-194. doi: 10.1080/10502556.2016.1150149
Celen-Demirtas, S., Konstam, V., & Tomek, S. (2015). Leisure activities in unemployed emerging adults: Links to career adaptability and subjective well-being. The Career Development Quarterly, 63(3), 209-222.
Konstam, V., Celen-Demirtas, S., Tomek, S., & Sweeney, K. (2015). Career adaptability and subjective well-being in unemployed emerging adults: A promising and cautionary tale. Journal of Career Development. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1177/0894845315575151
Konstam, V., Tomek, S., Celen-Demirtas, S., & Sweeney, K. (2015). Volunteering and reemployment status in unemployed emerging adults: A time-worthy investment? Journal of Career Assessment, 23(1), 152-165.
Levy, B., Celen-Demirtas, S., Surguladze, T., Eranio, S., & Ellison, J. (2014). Neuropsychological screening as a standard of care during discharge from psychiatric hospitalization: The preliminary psychometrics of the CNS Screen. Psychiatry Research, 215(3), 790-796.
Levy, B., Celen-Demirtas, S., Surguladze, T., & Sweeney, K. (2014). Stigma and discrimination: A socio-cultural etiology of mental illness. The Humanistic Psychologist, 42(2), 199-214.
Celen-Demirtas, S., & Tezer, E. (2012). Romantic relationship satisfaction, commitment to career choices, and subjective well-being. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences Journal, 46, 2542-2549.
CONFERENCE PAPERS/POSTERS
Karwin, S., Curran, T., Konstam, V., Lyons, M., & Celen-Demirtas, S. (2015, October). Stigma and divorce: A relevant lens for emerging and young adult women? Poster presented at the 7th Conference on Emerging Adulthood, Miami, Florida.
Celen-Demirtas, S., Cadet, M., Minami, T., & Horne, S. G. (2015, August). The effects of career construction training on career adaptability of college students. Poster presented at the annual American Psychological Association Convention, Toronto, Canada.
Carreiro, T., Wheeler, E., Horne, S. G., Vannoy, V., Celen-Demirtas, S., Petrosyan, K., Turdubaeva, E., & Boyraz, G. (2015, August). Exposure to stressful events and PTSD symptomatology as predictors of depression among first year college students. Poster presented at the annual American Psychological Association Convention, Toronto, Canada.
Celen-Demirtas, S. (2014, March). Online counseling: Can counseling psychology catch up with technology? Poster presented at the National Counseling Psychology Conference, Counseling Psychology in Action: Future Opportunities and Challenges, Atlanta, GA.
Celen-Demirtas, S., Surguladze, T., Sweeney, K., & Levy, B. (2014, March). Are we medicating pscyhosocial distress? Poster presented at the National Counseling Psychology Conference, Counseling Psychology in Action: Future Opportunities and Challenges, Atlanta, GA.
Levy, B., Celen-Demirtas, S., & Surguladze, T. (2013, August). Neuropsychological screening as a standard of care in psychiatric hospitals: A pilot study. Poster presented at the annual American Psychological Association Convention, Honolulu, HI.
Yerin Guneri, O., Capa Aydin, Y., Owen, D. W., Celen-Demirtas, S., Kurtoglu, M., & Mesutoglu, C. (2010, October). Analysis of psychological counseling and guidance needs of the students at Middle East Technical University. Paper presented at 5th Symposium on Psychological Counseling and Guidance in Universities, Mersin, Turkey.
Hatipoglu-Sumer, Z., Celen, S., & Caglayan, O. (2009, October). What they know, what they do: Level of knowledge about contraception and protection methods from sexually transmitted diseases and applied methods of university students. Paper presented at 10th Biennial Meeting of the Psychological Counseling and Guidance Association, Adana, Turkey.
OTHER PUBLICATIONS
Celen-Demirtas, S., Maki, E., & Surguladze, T. (2015). Reflections of three psychology students from diverse backgrounds on a social justice class. International Psychology Bulletin Student Column, 19(4), 29-31.
Celen-Demirtas, S., Dimitrova, R., Lyanguzova, V., & Fomichev, A. (2014). Developing international student partnerships through Division 52. International Psychology Bulletin Student Column, 18(1), 29-31.
Celen-Demirtas, S. (2010). The role of romantic relationship status, romantic relationship satisfaction, and commitment to career choices in subjective well-being of senior university students. (Thesis published in National Theses Database of Council of Higher Education, Ankara, Turkey).
EDITORIAL/PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Co-Editor, 11/2013 - 05/2016
International Psychology Bulletin of APA Division 52 Student Column
Ad-Hoc Reviewer:
Journal of Counseling Psychology, 9/2016; 10/2015
Journal of Career Development , 05/2016
Journal of Human Development and Capabilities, 06/2015
Educational Research and Reviews , 12/2012
Program Proposal Reviewer, 10/2013
Counseling Psychology Conference, Atlanta 2014