Begüm Orhan is a doctoral student in Counseling Psychology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and a member of the Observing Minds Lab at the Center for Healthy Minds. Begüm holds an M.S. in Clinical-Counseling Psychology from Illinois State University, an M.A. in Philosophy, and a B.A. in Psychology from Bilkent University. Her interdisciplinary research lies at the intersection of contemplative science, existential psychology, and wellbeing.
She is particularly interested in how mindfulness and contemplative practices may cultivate wisdom and how sophiogenic processes such as equanimity, decentering, and metacognitive awareness contribute to the cultivation and expression of wisdom. More broadly, she is interested in how people navigate fundamental existential concerns, including mortality, meaning, and the pursuit of a fulfilling life. Clinically, Begum is interested in the integration of existential psychotherapy with cognitive-behavioral-and-mindfulness, as well as acceptance-based approaches.