I am a chartered Counselling Psychologist, with over a decade in clinical practice. 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.  

I have a specialist interest in trauma and neurodiversity, and am myself neurodivergent.

In addition to my private practice, I am a Senior Fellow of Higher Education and a senior lecturer at City, University of London, on the Professional Doctorate in Counselling Psychology (DPsych) programme, training and supervising other Counselling Psychologists. My academic role allows me to keep my knowledge up to date, further informing my clinical work.

For more information about my academic role, see: https://www.city.ac.uk/about/people/academics/holly-kahya I provide specialist consultation across the Psychology Department, aiming to improve neurodivergent student experience.

Check out my Neurodiversity, Activism and Public Engagement page for more information on how I use my voice and my experience to contribute to wider, systemic change.

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

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.

Beyond the professional realm, I am married with two young children and enjoy long walks, cycling and wild swimming.