Irem is a Chartered Psychologist (CPsychol) with the British Psychological Society. After graduating from the American Robert College of Istanbul in high school, Irem received her Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Psychology with honors from Columbia University in New York City. She attained her first master's degree in Social and Developmental Psychology from the University of Cambridge in the UK, followed by her second master's degree in Applied Positive Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, where she worked at Martin Seligman's Positive Psychology Center in Philadelphia. She then completed her PhD in Psychology at University of Cambridge.
To enhance her knowledge of different habit formation and behavior change models, she completed the Health and Well-being Coaching Program at Duke University, approved by the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching. Irem also attained a diploma-level training in Psychotherapy and Counselling, following a two-year clinical and academic training. Furthermore, she has enrolled in a two-year training program to teach mindfulness and awareness based practices, certified by the Greater Good Science Center at the University of California, Berkeley. This program was taught by Tara Brach, PhD, and Jack Kornfield, PhD. Both are renowned psychologists who are considered leading authorities on mindfulness and meditation in the West.
In 2014, Irem founded her consulting company, The Good Life Kit. She continued her research and teaching career as a postdoctoral researcher at Imperial College from 2020 to 2024.
Currently, Irem works with individuals and organizations, while also collaborating with universities on various projects.
Beyond her professional pursuits, Irem is an avid enthusiast of art and design.