The IKPD Academy
Academy for race-critical and culturally sensitive continuing education in the therapeutic and psychosocial field.
The IKPD Academy emerged from conversations, supervision, and teaching contexts — from the recognition that professional work in therapeutic and psychosocial settings requires a framework that can hold complexity. It is an academy for race-critical and culturally sensitive continuing education based in Berlin, founded and directed equally by Sema Akbunar and Burak Inkaya. We understand continuing education as a process, not a certificate: it begins with a clear question and leads, through structured reflection, to a practice that can take responsibility.
- 01 · What we believe
Embedded in context
Professional action does not take place in a vacuum. It is embedded in societal dynamics, institutional conditions, and individual biographies. Our continuing education programmes create space to think about these levels together, rather than simplifying them.
- 02 · Leadership
Two perspectives, one stance
What unites us is the conviction that good practice requires multiple perspectives. Sema Akbunar is a licensed psychological psychotherapist specialising in behavioural therapy, a supervisor, and a lecturer at training and continuing-education institutes; her working languages are German, English, and Dutch. Burak Inkaya is a psychologist (M.Sc.), a psychological psychotherapist in training specialising in behavioural therapy, and a designated specialist for child welfare under § 8a of the German Social Code Book VIII; he works in German and Turkish. Both lead the IKPD Academy as equal founding partners — complementary in expertise, congruent in stance.
- 03 · Our perspective
Professionally clear, not simplified
Race-critical, culturally sensitive, attentive to power dynamics. These perspectives are not an addition to professional work; they are part of its foundation. They give the reflection on cases, relationships, and institutions a robust structure.
- 04 · How we work
A clear framework, real reflection
Our formats are transparently framed — with defined learning objectives, limited group sizes, and clear roles. Within this framework, we combine theory, case work, and self-reflection. This creates continuing education that provides support and allows for movement.
“A race-critical stance begins with competence and self-experience.”
— Sema Akbunar
“A culturally sensitive stance is the foundation of a harmonious society.”
— Burak Inkaya
Note
The IKPD Academy is directed at professionals and organisations. It offers continuing education, supervision, and structured reflection formats — it is not a healthcare service and does not replace psychotherapeutic treatment. Therapeutic services are provided exclusively through the separate practice structure.