Dr. Aila Gareayaghi | Post-traumatic Stress Disorder | Best Researcher Award
Dr. Aila Gareayaghi is a committed psychiatrist based in Kocaeli, Türkiye, with a deep passion for trauma-focused therapy, online psychotherapy, and mood and anxiety disorders. She holds the position of Lecturer and Psychiatrist at Kocaeli University and serves as Chair of the Kocaeli Branch of the Psychiatric Association of Türkiye. Dr. Gareayaghi’s extensive clinical and academic work includes innovative research on telepsychiatry, particularly in post-disaster mental health following Türkiye’s 2023 Kahramanmaraş Earthquakes. Her international experience includes a clerkship at Johns Hopkins University, Maryland. Beyond her clinical practice, she is active in research, conference presentations, and has authored multiple peer-reviewed publications addressing PTSD, sexual dysfunction, and transphobia in healthcare. Dr. Gareayaghi is multilingual, speaks advanced English and elementary French, and is a passionate advocate for volunteerism, animal welfare, and nature conservation, integrating her holistic outlook into her psychiatric practice.
Profile
🎓 Education
Dr. Aila Gareayaghi began her academic journey with a High School Diploma from Matthew McNair Secondary School in Vancouver, Canada (2012). She earned her Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) from Bezmialem Vakıf University, Istanbul, Türkiye (2012-2018), where she built a strong foundation in medical sciences. During her medical training, she completed a prestigious clerkship in Gastroenterology at Johns Hopkins University, USA (2018), gaining international exposure to advanced clinical practices. Pursuing her passion for mental health, she specialized in Psychiatry at Kocaeli University, Türkiye (2020-2024). Under the mentorship of Prof. Dr. Elif Tatlıdil, she completed her thesis on “Telepsychiatry Services During the February 6 Earthquakes and PTSD Prevalence Six Months Later.” Additionally, Dr. Gareayaghi continuously expanded her expertise through numerous certifications in psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, dynamic psychotherapy, EMDR, and traditional Chinese medicine, emphasizing her dedication to comprehensive psychiatric care.
🧪 Experience
Dr. Gareayaghi’s professional experience reflects a blend of clinical practice, teaching, and research. She currently serves as Lecturer and Psychiatrist at the Department of Psychiatry, Kocaeli University (2024–Present), where she actively treats patients, mentors students, and conducts impactful research. As Chair of the Kocaeli Branch of the Psychiatric Association of Türkiye, she plays a leadership role in advancing psychiatric practice and policy at the regional level. Her experience extends internationally, having completed a clinical clerkship in Gastroenterology at Johns Hopkins University, USA. Dr. Gareayaghi has presented her research extensively at national and international psychiatric congresses, covering topics from disaster psychiatry to psychosis and caregiver support. Her work demonstrates strong expertise in trauma therapy, online psychotherapy, and managing complex psychiatric conditions. She is also a prolific contributor to academic literature, authoring multiple peer-reviewed articles and book chapters addressing psychiatric emergencies and psychological trauma interventions.
🏅 Awards and Honors
Dr. Aila Gareayaghi has distinguished herself through numerous scientific contributions and recognitions. She has been invited as a speaker at prestigious forums such as the 59th National Psychiatry Congress and the Symposium on Disaster and Disaster Management. Her presentations on post-earthquake PTSD, antipsychotic-induced complications, and caregiver support have been recognized for their clinical relevance and academic rigor. Dr. Gareayaghi’s research, including peer-reviewed publications on telepsychiatry and transphobia in healthcare, reflects her innovative approach to contemporary psychiatric challenges. Although formal awards are not specified, her active involvement as Chair of the Kocaeli Branch of the Psychiatric Association of Türkiye and her multiple invited speaker roles demonstrate high professional regard and peer recognition. Moreover, her extensive certifications in psychotherapy modalities underscore her commitment to lifelong learning and excellence in patient care. Her dedication to volunteer work and animal welfare also highlight her compassionate engagement beyond academia.
🔬 Research Focus
Dr. Gareayaghi’s research focuses primarily on trauma-informed care, disaster psychiatry, and telepsychiatry, with a special emphasis on the mental health impact of natural disasters. Her thesis work examined the prevalence of PTSD following Türkiye’s 2023 earthquakes and the effectiveness of telepsychiatry services during disaster recovery. Additionally, her research explores societal and clinical aspects of sexual dysfunction, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and anxiety disorders. She has published studies addressing transphobia in healthcare, antipsychotic-induced complications, and innovative therapeutic interventions such as EMDR. Dr. Gareayaghi integrates various therapeutic modalities, including dynamic psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and psychodynamic psychotherapy, into both her clinical practice and research. Her multidisciplinary approach bridges clinical psychiatry, public health, and social psychology, contributing valuable insights into the management of psychiatric emergencies and the psychological aftermath of crises. Her ongoing work continues to address evolving mental health challenges in both individual and systemic contexts.
✅ Conclusion
Dr. Aila Gareayaghi exemplifies a dynamic psychiatrist integrating clinical excellence, cutting-edge research, and compassionate care, with a focus on trauma therapy, disaster psychiatry, telepsychiatry, and comprehensive psychiatric education.