Elif Balin, PhD, LPC, NCC

Dr. Elif Balin is a National Certified Counselor (NCC), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), counselor educator/supervisor, researcher, and Certified Digital Wellness Educator. She has over fifteen years of professional counseling experience in career counseling, mental health counseling, and school counseling. After receiving her BA (Bogazici University) and an MS (Middle East Technical University) degree in Psychological Counseling and Guidance, she completed her doctoral studies in Counselor Education and Supervision with a graduate minor in Women’s Studies at Penn State University.

Dr. Balin is passionate about helping individuals and communities build resilience and cross-cultural adaptability as they navigate multiple life-work roles, responsibilities, and systemic barriers during transitions. She is trained in the strengths-based, narrative, and feminist counseling approaches. She also integrates the Psychology of Working, Mindful Self-Compassion, and Digital Wellness frameworks and practices to meet the emerging self-care, community-care, and advocacy needs in today’s unpredictable world with increasing economic and cultural disparities among diverse populations. Dr. Balin has published and presented widely in career counseling, international and cross-cultural career development, and counselor education.

Dr. Balin is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Counseling at San Francisco State University. She is also the coordinator of the Career Counseling specialization program. She teaches career counseling, internship, and counseling skills and process courses. She is dedicated to training, supervising, and mentoring mental health professionals who integrate culturally responsive career development and mental health approaches. Dr. Balin is a long-term member of the American Counseling Association, National Career Development Association, and Association for Counselor Education and Supervision. She serves as a board member and the chair of the Counselor Educators and Supervisors Constituency for the California Career Development Association.

Speaker Disclosures
Financial: Elif Balin has an employment relationship with San Francisco State University. She receives royalties as a published author. Elif Balin receives a speaking honorarium and recording royalties from PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Elif Balin is a member of the American Arab, Middle Eastern, and North African Psychological Association, the American Counseling Association, the Association for Women in Psychology, the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, and the Turkish Psychological Counseling & Guidance Association.