Our team
People by your side.
Our therapy, assessment and administration teams work closely together. Get to know the people behind our practice, their qualifications and their experience.
Refik Tanrikulu
Practice manager
Refik Tanrikulu leads the administrative side of the practice. He coordinates day-to-day processes, helping appointment requests, paperwork and communication with families run smoothly.
He is the point of contact for administrative questions and helps families with registration and the next steps. Clear information, dependable processes and respectful communication are central to his work.
Working closely with the clinical lead, he keeps the administrative side of the practice running smoothly. His responsibilities cover organisation and administration; questions about assessment and treatment are answered by the therapists. All information shared with the practice is treated confidentially.
Professional background
Refik Tanrikulu worked as a product manager in the automotive industry for several years, coordinating technical support, working across departments and training staff. He also brings experience in leading teams and planning operational processes.
He has been our practice manager since 2026, bringing his experience in organisation, communication and process improvement to the day-to-day running of the practice.
Gülay Tanrikulu
Clinical lead
Diplom-Pädagogin (German Diplom in Education)
Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist - Behavioural Therapy
As clinical lead, Gülay Tanrikulu guides the clinical work of the practice. A child and adolescent psychotherapist with a German Diplom in Education, she combines an understanding of education and development with expertise in psychotherapy.
She helps children, young people and their families make sense of emotional difficulties and find helpful ways forward in everyday life. Using behavioural therapy, she supports them in recognising and gradually changing patterns of thinking and behaviour that cause distress.
Her experience in school social pedagogy also informs her understanding of challenges at home, at school and in social life. Her work centres on a supportive therapeutic relationship and each child’s individual development. Parents and other important people in the child’s life are involved where appropriate.
Qualifications
10/2019 · German state licence to practise as a child and adolescent psychotherapist (Approbation)
04/2014 – 10/2019
Training as a child and adolescent psychotherapist · Behavioural therapy
10/2005 – 04/2011
Educational Science, University of Hamburg
Diplom-Pädagogin (German Diplom in Education) · Focus on work with children and young people outside school
Clinical and professional experience
Since 02/2022 · Own practice for child and adolescent psychotherapy
Behavioural therapy and consultations with parents and carers
07/2017 – 01/2022 Child and adolescent psychotherapy practice
Psychotherapy and parent consultations
11/2019 – 04/2020 · SEGEMI e. V.
Psychosocial counselling for children and young people with refugee and migration backgrounds
10/2016 – 09/2017 · Psychiatrische Klinik Lüneburg
Work in assessment and treatment
09/2011 – 06/2017 Educational and therapeutic specialist
counselling, individual and parental casework, and support for children with special educational needs
Senem Topçu
Diplom-Pädagogin (German Diplom in Education)
Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist - Behavioural Therapy
Senem Topçu is a child and adolescent psychotherapist specialising in behavioural therapy and holds a German Diplom in Education. She helps children, young people and those close to them understand emotional difficulties and make helpful changes in everyday life.
Through her work in child and adolescent psychosomatic care at Altonaer Kinderkrankenhaus, she gained experience with children from infancy through adolescence. Her work included individual treatment, developmental and ability assessments, and autism assessments using ADI-R and ADOS.
She also worked closely with parents, including through parent groups and therapeutic sessions focused on parent–child interaction. Her clinical work is complemented by experience in education, inclusive support and child and youth welfare services.
Qualifications
11/2020 · German state licence to practise as a child and adolescent psychotherapist (Approbation)
2014 – 2020
Training as a child and adolescent psychotherapist, DGVT Hamburg · Behavioural therapy
11/2005 – 09/2011
Diplom in Education, Universität Münster
Specialism in social pedagogy
Clinical and professional experience
Since 08/2026 · KJP Tanrikulu
Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist - Behavioural Therapy
12/2021 – 06/2026 · Altonaer Kinderkrankenhaus
Child and adolescent psychosomatic care, psychotherapy and assessment
02/2021 – 11/2021 · Psychiatrische Klinik Lüneburg
child and adolescent psychotherapist, adolescent ward
12/2019 – 02/2021 · Inclusive nursery “Kita RAPSI”, Kinderlotse
Deputy Head
01/2018 – 01/2021 · DGVT Hamburg
Clinical practice as part of psychotherapy training
06/2019 – 11/2019 · Kinderlotse, Hamburg
Educational work and programme development
11/2018 – 02/2019 · AWO Hamburg
educationalist
02/2016 – 02/2018 · Psychiatrische Klinik Lüneburg
Educational professional training to become a child and adolescent psychotherapist
05/2012 – 02/2016 · Vereinigung Pestalozzi, Hamburg
Support worker in community-based parenting and family support, and social participation support for people with mental illness
Betül Esenceli
Clinical psychologist
Betül Esenceli is a clinical psychologist and is responsible for diagnostic assessments in our practice. Her work helps us better understand children’s and young people’s development, abilities and current difficulties.
She studied psychology and clinical psychology and also completed a Master’s degree in legal psychology.
In her assessment work, she places particular importance on a warm, attentive approach to children, young people and their families, and on explaining things clearly. The findings help guide the next steps for support.
Qualifications
2026
Master of Science in Legal Psychology
Medical School Hamburg
10/2023 – 09/2025
Master of Science in Clinical Psychology
Medical School Hamburg
10/2019 – 09/2023
Bachelor of Science in Psychology
University of Hamburg
Clinical and professional experience
Since 05/2025 · KJP Tanrikulu
Clinical psychologist
08/2023 – 05/2025 · IfBQ
Administration of the KERMIT assessments
Mihca-Nur Yildiz
Clinical psychologist
Mihca-Nur Yildiz is a clinical psychologist responsible for diagnostic assessments at our practice. She assesses children’s and adolescents’ development, abilities and psychological difficulties, interpreting the findings in the context of their everyday lives.
She studied psychology at Medical School Hamburg and completed a master’s degree with a focus on clinical psychology and psychotherapy.
Her work centres on thorough assessment, a welcoming approach to children, adolescents and their families, and clear communication. The findings inform tailored recommendations and plans for further support.
Qualifications
2023 – 2025
Master of Science in Psychology
Focus on Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy
Medical School Hamburg
Clinical and professional experience
Since October 2026
KJP Tanrikulu
Clinical Psychologist specialising in psychological assessment
10/2024 – 12/2024
Regio Kliniken Elmshorn
Clinical placement in psychiatry, psychotherapy and psychosomatic medicine as part of her master’s degree
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