Hello
Welcome to ATD Psychology! My name is Ayesha and I’m a HCPC-registered Forensic Psychologist and Qualified EMDR Therapist. I offer private therapy and EMDR to adults across the UK and internationally. My background includes working in complex clinical and forensic settings, supporting clients who have experienced significant adversity, interpersonal trauma, or system involvement. I now work privately with adults seeking meaningful, long-term change in how they feel, relate, and understand themselves.
Many of the people I work with have been through things that left them feeling disconnected, from others, from their own emotions, or from a stable sense of self. Some have relied on coping strategies like self-harm, substance use, or emotional shutdown to survive. Others carry intense anxiety, shame, or the quiet belief that they are “too much” or “not enough.”
Over time, you may feel more emotionally regulated, less reactive, and more able to stay with yourself, even in difficult moments. Clients often describe feeling more understood, more grounded, and more able to respond to themselves with care, rather than criticism or avoidance. Whatever your story holds, it’s welcome here, and we’ll move through it together, safely and at your pace.
How I work
I specialise in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), a powerful therapeutic approach that helps the brain reprocess distressing experiences, reducing their emotional charge and allowing healing to happen. EMDR can be life-changing not only for PTSD, but also for individuals dealing with anxiety, low self-worth, grief, relationship difficulties, phobias, the impact of childhood or relational trauma, or feeling stuck in patterns that no longer serve them.
Alongside EMDR, I’m also trained in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT), which I integrate when helpful to support emotion regulation, self-compassion, and resilience.
I believe therapy should feel safe, empowering, and collaborative, especially if you’ve experienced harm, judgement, or power imbalances in the past.
My Story
I completed my doctorate in Forensic Psychology at the University of Nottingham and have over a decade of experience working in the NHS, private sector, community, and residential homes. Much of my work has focused on supporting people with high levels of distress, risk, and complexity, including those who have had long or difficult histories with services.
My forensic background has given me a deep respect for emotional complexity and the many ways people learn to survive difficult experiences. It also means I bring calmness, thoughtfulness, and clinical confidence to working with distress that may feel overwhelming, shameful, or confusing.
I also bring personal experience of living and working abroad across Asia and the Middle East for over 16 years, which has shaped my understanding of cultural transition, identity shifts, and the deep emotional complexity of “not quite belonging.” These experiences shape my sensitivity to issues of cultural identity, belonging, and emotional displacement, especially for expats, third-culture individuals, or those navigating life between different cultural or relationships.
My Qualifications
I am a HCPC-registered Forensic Psychologist. The HCPC (Health and Care Professions Council) is the official UK regulator for practitioner psychologists and other health professionals. Any psychologist you work with should be on the HCPC register. Being HCPC-registered means I meet national standards for:
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Training
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Clinical practice
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Ethical conduct
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Ongoing professional development
It also means you can feel confident that I am fully qualified, accountable, and committed to safe, evidence-based care. You can check my registration on the HCPC website.
I am also a qualified EMDR Therapist, which means I’ve completed accredited specialist training in Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), a powerful, evidence-based therapy for trauma, anxiety, and distressing memories.
This training ensures I can safely and effectively support people who are struggling with:
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Past traumas or overwhelming life events
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Flashbacks, nightmares, or dissociation
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Anxiety that feels stuck in the body or nervous system
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Self-destructive patterns linked to difficult memories
