Cicek Erdem, PhD
Clinical Psychologist
New York City NY
Many of my clients come in feeling disconnected from themselves, their relationships, or a sense of meaning. Others feel overwhelmed by the intensity of what surfaced during a psychedelic experience and aren’t sure what to do with it. Our work often begins by slowing things down and making space to listen more closely to what your mind, body, and different parts of you are trying to communicate. Over time, this can open up a more compassionate and less critical relationship with yourself.
I tend to be active and engaged, while also making room for silence, reflection, and emotional depth. We might explore recurring relational patterns, work with different parts of yourself, or pay attention to how experiences show up in your body. When working with psychedelic integration, we focus on helping insights take root so that what emerged during the experience can actually shift how you live and relate, rather than remaining something that only made sense in the moment.
I try to meet each person with warmth, curiosity, and respect for the complexity of their inner world.
I am a clinical psychologist in NYC specializing in psychedelic integration and ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP), with a focus on trauma, identity, and major life transitions. I work with individuals who are navigating periods of change, whether through psychedelic experiences, shifts in relationships, or other turning points that challenge one’s sense of self.
I have trained in ketamine-, MDMA-, and psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy and currently work as a lead study therapist on a Phase 3 clinical trial investigating psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression. I received my B.A. from Johns Hopkins University and my M.A. and PhD in Clinical Psychology from The New School for Social Research. My additional training includes MAPS (MDMA-assisted psychotherapy), Ketamine Training Center (KTC), Polaris Insight Center, and Fluence.
Having lived across cultures, I’m especially drawn to working with immigrants and those navigating questions of cultural identity and belonging. I also have experience in women’s mental health, including pregnancy, postpartum, and the identity shifts that can come with becoming a parent.
Psychedelic Integration Therapy: Ongoing or short-term therapy focused on preparing for or integrating psychedelic experiences. Sessions may include meaning-making, emotional processing, and translating insights into daily life.
Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP): Preparation, dosing (in collaboration with a prescriber), and integration sessions using a relational, trauma-informed approach.