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, individuals may benefit from assistance to facilitate their process in their 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 towards where the client is at the moment, and move forward at a pace the client is comfortable with. Sometimes it is 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 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 am a mother of two adult children and three cats and a dog. I have lived and worked abroad for 15 years; including 14 years in Istanbul, Turkey, and one year in Munich, Germany—I have developed a deep appreciation for diverse cultures. My lifelong travels throughout the world have shaped my curiosity, adaptability, and love of multicultural experiences.
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 are experiencing psychosocial-emotional issues or physical difficulties. Physical therapy also includes early intervention from infant and above. I utilize several therapy approaches including: solution focused brief therapy (SFBT), emotionally focused therapy (EFT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), hypnotherapy, eye movement desensitization reprocessing (EMDR), CST (craniosacral therapy) and SER (somatoemotional release), and Access Consciousness/Bars. At times I incorporate adjunct modalities such as meditation, mindfulness, grounding, and breathing practices.
I am an experienced adjunct professor and conference presenter in the areas of: psychotherapy, physical therapy, mind and body integrative wellness, inner healing, meditation, mind-body practices, and self-hypnosis. I have worked in a variety of settings in Munich, Germany (as a clinician), and in Istanbul, Turkey and the USA (as a clinician, program developer, and adjunct professor). 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