I am a chartered Counselling Psychologist, Advanced Certified Schema Therapist and Supervisor, specialising in childhood trauma and neurodiversity. Many of my clients have lived experience of autism, ADHD, dyslexia and dyspraxia, against the backdrop of early childhood trauma in different shapes and forms. Over the last twenty years, I have worked in a wide range of different settings, including a variety of NHS, private and charity mental health services, schools, universities, residential and inpatient services.

Outside the therapy room, I am a Senior Fellow of Higher Education (SFHE) and a senior lecturer at City St George’s University of London, on the Professional Doctorate in Counselling Psychology (DPsych) programme, training other Counselling Psychologists and supervising doctoral research. I am also a member of the editorial committee for the Schema Therapy Bulletin, the International Society of Schema Therapy’s thrice yearly publication.

On a personal level, I have lived experience of neurodivergence and of parenting two neurodivergent children, and I am passionate about social justice, equity and inclusion.

• Read more about my therapeutic approach in my Talking Therapy section, here. **Please note, I am currently unable to accept new referrals for talking therapy**
• Read more about my Neurodiversity Activism and Public Engagement work, including some of my recent publications, here.
• Check out my FAQs, here.

For more information about my academic role, see: https://www.city.ac.uk/about/people/academics/holly-kahya.

My philosophy

Our early life forms the blueprint for the way we learn to relate to ourselves, others and the world around us. This blueprint continues to influence how we tend to think, feel and react to situations, in the present. Although these patterns may have served us in the past (or may even have been essential to our survival) they can limit us and cause us unnecessary suffering.

Beyond the individual level, we exist in a world that advantages some but disadvantages many. It can  be helpful to contexualise individual suffering within our wider social ecosystem, to promote compassion but also galvanise change.

In therapy, together we explore the way you think, feel and respond in relation to the problems you face, heal old wounds and explore fresh possibilities. Through our work, my aim is to help you feel better equipped to navigate the inevitable challenges life throws up, to find greater joy, meaning and satisfaction.

Informed by my own lived-experience and ongoing professional development, my practice is highly collaborative, neuro- and LGBTQ+-affirmative.

Academic and professional qualifications

• 1999 – 2002 B.A (Hons) Psychology Manchester University
• 2002 – 2003 Post Graduate Certificate of Education Bath Spa University
• 2011 – 2012 Yoga Therapy and Mindfulness for Mental Health (350 hr) The Minded Institute
• 2011 – 2014 Professional Doctorate in Counselling Psychology City University London
• 2019 – 2020 Advanced certificate in Schema Therapy Schema Therapy Associates
• 2021 – Supervision skills training British Psychological Society
• 2021 EMDR Parts 1, 2 & 3 training (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) Richman EMDR Training
• 2023 Fellow of Higher Education (FHEA) City, University of London.
• 2024 Senior Fellow of Higher Education (SFHEA) City, University of London
• 2026 Schema Therapy Supervisor training (under completion)

I am a registered member of the British Psychological Society, the Health and Care Professions Council, and a full member of the International Society of Schema Therapy. In addition, I am registered with the ICO (Information Commissioner’s Office), am fully insured and first aid trained with the British Red Cross.

Contact me –

For all enquiries, please get in touch at: contact@hollykahya.com

Dr Holly Kahya, CPsychol, DPsych, SF-HEA, PGCE, BAHons