Featured Media

Through writing, interviews, podcasts, and speaking engagements, I contribute to conversations about mental health, relationships, creativity, identity, and contemporary culture. I am passionate about reducing stigma, exploring difficult and often overlooked topics, and helping people better understand themselves and one another.

Psychology Today

I am a regular contributor to Psychology Today, where I write about attachment wounds, trauma, toxic relationships, modern dating culture, creativity, and identity. I interview performers, writers, and other creatives, giving a platform to their perspectives, insights, and experiences. I also analyze relationships in TV series and novels through a therapeutic lens, making complex emotional experiences accessible and relatable.

Read my column below:

Interviews and Media Features

My work and insights have been featured in a variety of media outlets discussing mental health, relationships, trauma recovery, creativity, and personal growth.

Selected appearances include:

CNN, gaslighting, Duygu Balan, therapist, trauma, news, health, Re-Write: A trauma workbook of creative writing and recovery in our new normal, counseling, ptsd, recovery, mental health

Washington Times, mass shooting, Duygu Balan, trauma, Re-Write A Trauma Workbook of creative writing and recovery in our new normal, news, JAMA, journal article gun violence, racial bias, intergenerational trauma, social determinants

self care practice, self help, medium, duygu balan, mental health, improve mental wellness, mindfulness, Re-Write A trauma workbook of creative writing and recovery in our new normal

Good Men Project, Duygu Balan, news, stigma, mental health, trauma, Re-Write A Trauma workbook of creative writing and recovery in our new normal, therapist, counseling, ptsd, couples,

Authority Magazine, Five self care practices, improve mental health and wellness, Re-Write A trauma workbook of creative writing and recovery in our new normal

family focus blog, duygu balan, healing trauma strategies, recovery, ptsd, childhood, parents, pandemic, coping, skills, writing prompts, mindfulness, creative writing, Re-Write A trauma workbook of creative writing and recovery in our new normal

motherhood moment, duygu balan, trauma, survivor, ptsd, recovery, mental health, addiction, stigma, stress, Re-Write A trauma workbook of creative writing and recovery in our new normal

when women inspire, duygu balan, writing prompts, creative writing, pandemic, cope, trauma, stress, anxiety, breathing, mindfulness, inspirational, Re-Write A trauma workbook of creative writing and recovery in our new normal

microsoft news, duygu balan, mental health, behavioral issues, depression, anxiety, counseling, motherhood, trauma, behavioral issues, therapy, Re-Write A trauma workbook of creative writing and recovery in our new normal

Podcasts & Speaking Engagements

I have appeared on podcasts, television, and educational platforms discussing trauma, attachment wounds, dysfunctional relationships, modern dating, creative expression, and emotional resilience.

Featured podcasts and appearances:

Duygu Balan, Yener, Attachment theory podcast, trauma, Jenna Kelly, Re-Write A trauma workbook of creative writing and recovery in our new normal, ptsd, counseling, mental health, listen, apple, spotify, youtube

warm 1069, seattle, podcast, sunday radio, listen, trauma, Re-Write A trauma workbook of creative writing and recovery in our new normal, ptsd, mental health, yener balan, duygu balan

Duygu Balan, Mentally Stronger with therapist Amy Morin, trauma ptsd, Re-Write A trauma workbook of creative writing and recovery in our new normal, healing counseling, couples, family intergenerational, podcast, listen, new book bestseller

Trauma Informed Parenting podcast, Duygu Balan, Re-Write: A Trauma Workbook of creative writing and recovery in our new normal, couples, mom, dad, counseling, ptsd, recovery, mental health, listen, gratitude, mindfulness, healing, Bay Area, New York

In it together, podcast, Duygu Balan, Re-Write Trauma Workbook of creative writing and recovery in our new normal, trauma, ptsd, counseling, mental health, listen, Yener Balan, couples, resilience

Little things, duygu balan, child anxiety, mother finds out, mental health, Re-Write A trauma workbook of creative writing and recovery in our new normal

Duygu Balan, podcast, Paul Krauss, Yener Balan, Intentional clinician, Re-Write: A Trauma Workbook of Creative Writing and Recovery in our new normal, therapy, counseling, author, violence prevention, family, couples, bay area, mental health, ptsd

Parent Understood, podcast, Duygu Balan, Re-Write: A Trauma Workbook of Creative Writing and recovery in our new normal, ptsd, motherhood, therapy, recovery, healing, narrative, storytelling, counseling

Kathryn Zox show, social worker, duygu balan, therapy, counseling, Re-Write A trauma workbook of creative writing and recovery in our new normal, ptsd, wellness, mindfulness, yoga, inspirational, healing, podcast, listen

recovery, duygu balan, navigating trauma addiction sober ptsd, Re-Write A trauma workbook of creative writing and recovery in our new normal, substance use, breaking cycle podcast, listen stories, dialogues

Rebooted podcast, Duygu Balan, combatting loneliness, ptsd, trauma, pandemic, Re-Write a trauma workbook of creative writing and recovery in our new normal, mental health, stigma, elderly, family intergenerational

Speaking & Workshops

I regularly teach workshops and present at conferences on the intersection of psychology and storytelling.

At DFW Writers Conference, in Dallas, I lead sessions on applying psychological theories to fiction writing, character development, trauma-informed storytelling, and creating emotionally authentic characters and relationships.

At the inaugural Oakland Comic Convention, I spoke about Mental Health and Storytelling, and I presented at the international healthcare conference HIMSS about trauma and the hero’s journey.

Topics I Speak About

Trauma, attachment, and toxic relationship dynamics
Modern dating, intimacy, and relationship psychology
Psychology for performers, creatives, and performance-driven industries
Character development and storytelling through a psychological lens
Mental health, identity, resilience, and emotional wellbeing

Interested in Collaborating?

For media inquiries, podcast appearances, speaking engagements, workshops, or consulting opportunities, please contact: