Prof. Hayriye Elbi, MD

Prof. Hayriye Elbi, MD is a psychiatrist at Acibadem Kent Hospital (Izmir), where she works within the Psychiatry & Psychology unit. Her clinical work concentrates on mood and anxiety-related conditions, including major depression, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and anxiety disorders, as well as hyperactivity and psychological support for people living with cancer. She has spent more than 44 years in medicine and joined Acıbadem Healthcare Services in 2025.

Dr. Elbi graduated from Ege University Faculty of Medicine in 1982 and completed her specialty training in Mental Health and Diseases at the same faculty in 1989. From 1985 she worked in the Department of Psychiatry at Ege University Faculty of Medicine, with a focus on consultation-liaison psychiatry, the area of psychiatry that supports patients receiving care for physical illness. Between 1991 and 1992 she was a postdoctoral fellow in psychiatry at The University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine. She later held the position of Prof. Dr. at Ege University Faculty of Medicine from 2012 to 2016, and in 2019 she worked as Prof. Dr. with Istanbul Technical University’s Polar Research Application and Research Center in its Survival, Health and Safety Group.

Clinical focus

Dr. Elbi assesses and treats adults presenting with major depression, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and other anxiety disorders. These conditions can differ considerably from one person to another, and the aim of an assessment is to understand how symptoms developed, how they affect daily life and which approaches may be suitable for the individual. She also sees patients with attention and hyperactivity-related difficulties.

A further part of her practice is psychological support in cancer. Building on her background in consultation-liaison psychiatry, Dr. Elbi works with people who are dealing with the emotional and psychological effects of a cancer diagnosis or its treatment. This may involve evaluating mood, anxiety and adjustment-related concerns alongside the patient’s ongoing oncological care, and discussing forms of support that fit their situation.

How Dr. Elbi works with international patients

Dr. Elbi consults in Turkish and English, and interpreters can be arranged for patients who speak other languages. Before a visit, the Acibadem international patient team coordinates the collection of prior reports and relevant documents, such as previous psychiatric or psychological assessments, discharge summaries, medication lists and laboratory results, and arranges appointments and the hospital visit. A first consultation typically covers the patient’s history and current symptoms, a review of previous treatments and any existing reports, a clinical assessment and a discussion of the options. Video consultation is available for international patients who wish to speak with Dr. Elbi before travelling or as part of follow-up.