Hello! I’m Dr. Annette BoVee-Akyurek.
I am an integrative psychotherapist and physical therapist working with clients to enhance overall wellness of the mind and body. I believe that we all have an internal awareness and an ability to work towards healing and wellness. At times we may benefit from assistance to facilitate our process in our journey. I utilize a relational and integrative perspective with individuals with psychosocial-emotional or physical challenges, and with those on a journey of self-exploration. I work in a collaborative manner, in which the client and I explore together their goals and their process in movement towards healing and wellness. I am attentive where the client is at the moment, and moving forward at the pace the client is comfortable with. Sometimes it’s important to just be with what is, and then explore beyond and perhaps forward.
I am a Florida licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) and licensed mental health counselor (LMHC), national certified counselor (NCC), and licensed physical therapist (PT). I am a certified hypnotherapist, advanced level craniosacral therapist/somatic clinician, EMDRIA certified EMDR clinician, and an Access Consciousness/Bars provider.
I utilize a variety of therapy approaches that best fit individuals in their healing process(s), and attend to the client’s unique needs. I also provide lectures and discussions on mind and body specialty topics in the areas of psychotherapy, physical therapy, and wellness; I am a conference presenter, program developer, and writer, and have provided adjunct professor classes.
I am a mother of two adult children, as well as three furry ones (three cats and a dog). I have lived abroad in Istanbul, Turkey for 14 years, and 1 year in Munich, Germany.
My Philosophy
I utilize a mind and body integrative approach to enhance overall wellness as a psychotherapist and physical therapist in assisting individuals. I see the mind and body as a whole embracing a variety of factors that contribute to the client’s present state, with less attention to diagnostic labels. The mind and body is an interrelated system within itself and its ecosystem.
I include several adjunct therapies as appropriate according to individual’s needs and desires, and bring forth my intuitive ability in my work. I function as a facilitator to the client in their process (s) and assist individuals in their own natural self-corrective process through a cooperative relationship of honor and respect between the therapist and client. I believe individuals have their own innate ability to assist themselves in growth, change, and expansion, but at times may need assistance in some level of movement or understanding.
My Background
I began my work as a physical therapist (a graduate from University of Miami in 1984), specializing in neurology (primarily head injury, stroke, and spinal cord injuries), pre- and post-natal care, and chronic pain conditions (primarily headaches, back pain, TMJ, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, and gastrointestinal disorders). I practiced craniosacral therapy (CST) and somatoemotional release (SER) since 1990, and studied and worked at the Upledger Institute together with John Upledger and colleagues. I have been doing somatic work (therapy from a mind & body approach) for over 35 years. After years of practicing somatic work, I completed my masters in mental health counseling in 2012, and my Ph.D. in marriage and family therapy in 2017 from Nova Southeastern University.
My clinical work includes therapy with: individuals, couples, and families (from adolescents to geriatrics) that have psychosocial-emotional issues and physical difficulties. I utilize several therapy approaches including solution focused brief therapy (SFBT), emotionally focused therapy (EFT), hypnotherapy, eye movement desensitization reprocessing (EMDR), and CST and SER, Access Consciousness/Bars. At times, I incorporate adjunct modalities such as: attention/awareness to aspects of nature, meditation, mindfulness, grounding activities, exercise, supportive readings, and breathing techniques.
I’m an experienced adjunct professor and presenter that has focused on: wellness, inner healing, meditation, mind-body practices, and self-hypnosis for students, clinicians, and the public. I have lived/worked as a clinician and adjunct professor in variety of settings. I have lived and worked as a clinician and adjunct professor in variety of settings in Munich, Germany (clinician only), Istanbul, Turkey, and in the USA. I have been involved in the development of several clinical programs, including work with refugees at an NGO in Turkey, and in several psychotherapy and physical therapy programs. I continue to write in the area of therapy and wellness with a dedication to promote healing and well-being.
Professional Affiliations:
American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), Pre-Clinical Fellow, AAMFT Approved Supervisor
International Association of Healthcare Practitioners (IAHP)
National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC)
NBCC Board Certified