N. Simay Gökbayrak, PhD

Ever wonder what happens when rigorous science meets down-to-earth human therapy with just a pinch of wit? Meet Dr. N. Simay Gökbayrak, PhD: clinical psychologist, behavior-change researcher, and someone who might just call you “impressive adult with too much on your plate.” If that sounds like you, read on. Spoiler: this is more than another dry academic bio. It’s the story of a psychologist who literally wrote the book on helping people change and keeps it real.

Who Is Dr. N. Simay Gökbayrak?

Dr. Gökbayrak is a licensed clinical psychologist based in New York City (and also authorized to practice in California). With over 15 years of clinical experience plus a strong academic/research background, she bridges the world of serious psychological science and practical, real-life therapy.

Her educational journey began at New York University (NYU), where she earned her BA in Psychology. She went on to receive her PhD in Clinical Psychology with a focus on Health Psychology from University of Rhode Island (URI). Importantly, her dissertation was supervised by James O. Prochaska, the renowned co-creator of the influential “Stages of Change” or “Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change.”

From Research Lab to Therapy Couch: The Career Path

Dr. Gökbayrak didn’t just stay in the ivory tower she got her hands dirty (metaphorically) in real-world clinical settings. As part of her doctoral training, she completed internships in a diverse array of settings: from general mental health clinics and cancer centers to medical-surgical departments. After that, she pursued a postdoctoral fellowship at the San Francisco VA Healthcare System (SFVA), where she worked on evidence-based therapies addressing mental illness, sleep difficulties, and chronic pain. She even did postdoctoral research on complex mental illnesses, including psychosis-spectrum disorders and chronic depression at SFVA/UCSF.

All that training and exposure to a wide variety of populations from veterans to people with chronic pain or serious mental illness shaped her into a flexible, culturally sensitive clinician. Her multicultural background (a European expat living in Brooklyn) only deepens that sensitivity.

What She Does: Therapeutic Approach & Specialties

Dr. Gökbayrak practices a form of therapy that’s grounded in science but delivered with empathy. Among her go-to tools are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and elements of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). She’s also got specialized expertise in treating insomnia (via CBT-i), chronic pain, stress, depression, anxiety, and the kinds of existential burnout and overwhelm that often plague high-achieving adults.

In plain English: if you’re juggling work, relationships, maybe even lingering health issues and you feel stuck or “meh inside” Dr. Gökbayrak aims to help you stop running on autopilot and start making intentional choices based on what truly matters to you. Her method emphasizes collaboration: she works with clients to set meaningful goals, track progress (yes, with actual metrics), and tailor interventions to their real lives.

What Sets Her Apart: The Science-Backed, No-Nonsense Therapist

• Evidence-based foundation: Her training and research background ensures she doesn’t rely on guesswork only therapies backed by data.
• Behavior change expertise: Because her doctoral advisor invented the Stages of Change model, she brings a deep understanding of what really motivates people to change habits not just feel better, but do better.
• Wide clinical versatility: From insomnia to depression, from chronic pain to existential burnout, she can flex to meet various struggles.
• Cultural sensitivity: As an expat with a globally informed perspective, she understands that people come from all walks of life and tailors therapy accordingly.

Academic & Research Contributions

Her dissertation, titled “Mental Health, Health Behaviors, Social Support, Self-Efficacy and Disease: An Integrative Model”, examined how health behaviors like exercise and healthy eating alongside social support and self-efficacy impact both physical and mental health. Using path analysis on data from 427 adults, she found that consistent exercise and healthy eating (for at least six months) strongly predicted better mental health outcomes and that physical health often mediated this relationship. Interestingly, smoking (and smoking cessation efforts) did not show a significant link to mental health indicators in her sample.

In a field where many assume “healthy behaviors = better mental health,” her findings added nuance: it’s not just about trying once but sticking with habits for a period and social support/self-efficacy play a critical supporting role.

Additionally, Dr. Gökbayrak has contributed as a medical reviewer and content expert for major health-information platforms such as Healthline and Healthgrades. Her involvement helps ensure that public articles about mental health from insomnia to serious conditions reflect accurate, science-based insights.

Why So Much Buzz Around Her “Brand”? Therapy for Real Adults

Modern life is chaotic: careers, relationships, burnout, and chronic stress are everywhere. What many people don’t get is a therapist who speaks fluent “corporate hustle,” “sleep-deprived but still emailing,” and “should I go back to therapy?” Dr. Gökbayrak positions herself as a therapist for busy, accomplished adults especially those in demanding fields like law, tech, finance who secretly want growth, not just survival.

She doesn’t promise quick fixes or magic potions. Instead, she offers evidence-based therapies, honest conversations, and practical tools. According to her own site, colleagues describe her as “reliable and committed, immense integrity, no [BS].” Another quip: “Talented evidence-based clinician specializing in CBT and ACT values driven, patient, flexible, unflappable.”

How Online Therapy & Telehealth Fit Into Her Practice

Given the demands on her typical clients, Dr. Gökbayrak offers virtual therapy (teletherapy) for clients in New York and California. This includes a free 20-minute phone consultation, followed by secure video-based sessions if both sides agree to move forward.

Since remote therapy can eliminate travel, scheduling hassles, and even worry about commuting many clients appreciate the privacy, convenience, and flexibility. By aligning therapy with busy schedules, Dr. Gökbayrak makes mental health care feasible for people who might otherwise skip it (hello, night-owl professionals!).

What Her Work Means in the Wider Context of Mental Health & Behavior Change

In a world bombarded with “happiness hacks,” “wellness gurus,” and quick-fix wellness culture, Dr. Gökbayrak stands out by leaning on science, not hype. Her research underscores that sustainable health and mental wellness are built via long-term habits like regular exercise, healthy eating, and social support not one-off detoxes or trendy diets.

By offering evidence-based therapy plus behavior-change insight, she tackles mental health from both preventative and treatment angles. That means clients don’t just get therapy for a problem they get tools for long-term well-being, especially if they’re juggling stress, insomnia, or chronic health issues. In short: therapy that meets the demands of modern life, grounded in science and delivered with empathy.

Conclusion: Why Dr. Gökbayrak’s Story Matters

Dr. N. Simay Gökbayrak, PhD is more than a name on a license she’s a bridge between academic psychology and real-world living. Her deep research credentials, postdoctoral experience, and years of clinical work make her uniquely positioned to help people who don’t just want to survive but thrive. If you’re exhausted, overwhelmed, or stuck in cycles of stress and poor habits, she offers an evidence-based, human-centered path to change.

Whether you’re exploring therapy for the first time or returning after a long gap, Dr. Gökbayrak demonstrates that effective therapy doesn’t have to be mystical or expensive: it can be practical, measurable, and surprisingly refreshing. So yes she’s “that therapist.” And maybe: exactly the kind you’ve been looking for.

SEO Metadata