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Duygu Balan

Duygu Balan, LPCC, LMHC, developed her expertise in intergenerational trauma while working as a clinical counselor in New York City, treating patients on society’s margins. A licensed psychotherapist, she has authored Re-Write: A Trauma Workbook of Creative Writing and Recovery in Our New Normal (Routledge, 2023), Confidently Chill: An Anxiety Workbook for New Adults (Routledge, 2024) and the graphic novel Kader’s Quest (Routledge, 2025). Born in Germany and raised in Istanbul, Duygu’s upbringing provides her with a fresh perspective on how to navigate tension between cultures. She splits her time between New York City and the San Francisco Bay Area.

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The Quest for Mental Wellness: Healing Through Storytelling

Room A | Duygu Balan | Nadir Balan | Dr. Yener Balan

Join physician executive Dr. Yener Balan, psychotherapist and bestselling author Duygu Balan, and award-winning illustrator Nadir Balan as they discuss their groundbreaking work. From the acclaimed trauma workbook Re-Write and the anxiety workbook Confidently Chill to their new middle-grade graphic novel Kader’s Quest, this clinician-artist family shows how stunning visual narratives create pathways to healing, self-discovery, and belonging.

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Get your tickets to the coolest comic convention and artist celebration around! We'll be bringing you a cool lineup of comics creators, collectibles and so much more! Get ready to Geek Out, Oakland!
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