İlayda Bilir Gökçen
School Psychologist
- As a psychologist with a strong academic foundation and interdisciplinary research experience, I am passionate about guiding young minds through meaningful learning journeys. My background spans developmental psychology, cognitive and behavioral therapies, and narrative-based research, with a special focus on designing engaging, research-informed tools for social-emotional growth.
Over the years, I have worked closely with children and adolescents in both educational and clinical settings—conducting developmental assessments, designing individualized learning plans, and facilitating group sessions to support emotional well-being. My role as a school psychologist has equipped me with the skills to mentor with empathy, structure, and a deep understanding of youth development.
In parallel, my involvement in academic research—particularly in cognitive science labs exploring perception, memory, and behavior—has sharpened my ability to design and supervise rigorous research projects. I’ve presented at international psychology congresses and collaborated on scientific publications, while also working in R&D settings to design narrative-based VR games assessing social-emotional competencies.
I believe in empowering students not only to think critically, but also to find personal meaning in their inquiries. As a mentor, I aim to create a space where curiosity meets structure, and where students feel confident to explore, question, and create. I'm excited to share my journey with the next generation of researchers and help them turn their interests into impactful, real-world projects.
- Universities attended -
- Okan University Okan University Bachelor's degree, Psikoloji
- Okan University Okan University Bachelor's degree, Sosyoloji
- Preferred format of mentorship - 1-on-1 mentoring, Small group research (2–3 students), Short-term Pods (4–6 sessions), Flexible / I’m open to different formats
- Time zone - GMT+03:00
- Your general weekly avability for sessions - based on the sessions, if I had to keep my full time job then 1 hour per day. If my full focus will be on the research projects then 30-40 hours per week.
- Any additional information you’d like to share with us? -
- Currently residing in the Savannah, US. Might change my location in few months but will keep you informed about anything in advance.
- Brief Summary of Your Research Interests.
- My research journey began in brain&behaviour research laboratories at Arel and Marmara Universities, where I focused on time perception and metacognitive processes. These early experiences nurtured my interest in how humans perceive, evaluate, and regulate their internal experiences. Later, as a public health strategist at Er-Kim Pharmaceuticals, I conducted in-depth research into the sociocultural and epidemiological dimensions of disease. This work expanded my perspective, allowing me to explore the intersections of health, treatment paradigms, and the societal implications of illness across diverse populations. Most recently, at a psychology-focused startup, I delved into the development, assessment, and intervention strategies for social-emotional competencies. My research there centered on identifying key components of emotional and interpersonal functioning, designing narrative-based evaluation tools, and supporting child development through evidence-based frameworks. Overall, I am deeply interested in the integration of psychology, education, and applied research—especially in the areas of metacognition, emotional development, and accessible mental health tools.
- Please describe your past experience mentoring or teaching students.
- I have extensive experience supporting children and adolescents in educational and therapeutic settings. As a school psychologist, I’ve worked closely with students aged 2–12, guiding them through developmental transitions, emotional regulation challenges, and social skill development. I have conducted individualized developmental assessments, facilitated small group activities, and designed play-based interventions to support learning and adjustment. In therapeutic contexts, I’ve provided one-on-one sessions for students with specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia. These sessions included assessing learning profiles, developing personalized strategies, and supporting students in building confidence and academic resilience. Additionally, I have consulted with educators and parents to ensure cohesive support for students across home and school environments. My approach to mentoring is grounded in empathy, developmental science, and evidence-based practices that foster curiosity, independence, and emotional growth.
- List 3–5 example project ideas students could pursue with your guidance.
- The Impact of Social Media Use on Self-Esteem
- Does Music Affect Focus? A Cognitive Psychology Exploration
- Emotional Intelligence and Peer Relationships in High School Students
- What types of final deliverables can your students expect to produce?
- Research paper
- Literature review
- Presentation or oral defense
- Any additional project themes, trending ideas, or real-world challenges you’d love to explore with motivated high school students?
- AI use and its effects on creative thinking
- 🗣️ Communication & Presentation
- Academic writing (papers, reports)
- Public speaking / oral presentations
- Creating research posters or infographics
- Storytelling through data
- Making a compelling final product (website, video, podcast, app)
- 🔍 Research & Inquiry Skills
- Formulating research questions
- Conducting literature reviews
- Identifying credible sources
- Understanding academic research structures (papers, abstracts, citations)
- Synthesizing information from multiple sources
- 🧠 Critical Thinking & Analysis
- Drawing logical conclusions
- 📊 Quantitative & Qualitative Methods
- Designing experiments or surveys
- 🎨 Creativity & Problem-Solving
- Brainstorming innovative solutions
- Connecting interdisciplinary ideas
- Applying knowledge to real-world challenges
- 📅 Project Management & Organization
- Setting research goals and timelines
- Managing independent work
- Documenting progress
- Revising based on feedback
- 🤝 Collaboration & Mentorship
- Working in small research teams
- Engaging in intellectual discussions
- Receiving and applying constructive feedback
- Building research confidence and autonomy