Dr Kay Capaldi
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
With over 20 years of clinical experience, I am a psychotherapist, researcher, and educator committed to helping individuals, couples, and groups gain profound insight into their emotions, relationships, and life experiences. My approach nurtures emotional, cognitive, behavioural, and relational growth, empowering clients to break free from limiting thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, fostering meaningful and lasting change for a more fulfilling future.
I believe the transformative power of psychotherapy extends far beyond those facing complex psychological challenges. Everyone can benefit from professional support, gaining tools to navigate life’s difficulties with greater resilience and compassion. My goal is to help you cultivate a more nurturing, adaptive relationship with yourself, which naturally enhances your connections with others.
Originally from Glasgow and now based in London, I hold a PhD in Counselling & Psychotherapy, specialising in Person-Centred, Emotion-Focused, and Humanistic-Experiential approaches. As a Psychotherapist, Researcher, Educator, Healing Coach, and Master Firewalk Instructor, I bring a diverse and rich skill set. My research focuses on the self-relationship, negative self-treatment, and social anxiety.
As a registered member of the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy, I adhere to the highest ethical and professional standards. In addition to my clinical practice, I supervise fellow psychotherapists and serve as a Senior Lecturer, designing and delivering programs such as the BSc in Therapeutic Psychology & Counselling, BSc in Psychology (Clinical & Mental Health), and MSc in Counselling & Psychotherapy. I also supervise MA research in Integrative Counselling & Psychotherapy.
Beyond therapy, I design and lead bespoke transformational workshops and retreats that provide powerful tools to heal past wounds, deepen present awareness, and energise future aspirations.
I would be honoured to support you on your journey toward well-being—whether for personal or professional growth. Feel free to reach out to explore the changes you’d like to bring into your life.
Rest assured, you’ll be in safe hands.
Training, qualifications & experience
Qualifications
- PhD, Counselling & Psychotherapy, University of Strathclyde
- MSc, Counselling & Psychotherapy, University of Strathclyde
- Postgraduate Certification, Emotion Focused Therapy Levels I, II, III, & Masterclasses, University of Strathclyde
- Postgraduate Certification, Developing Supervision Practice, University of Strathclyde
- Postgraduate Degree, Person-Centred Therapy, University of Strathclyde
- Postgraduate Degree, Academic Practice, University of Strathclyde
- COSCA Counselling Skills
Training & CPD
- Solution-Focused Brief Therapy
- ASIST Suicide Intervention Training
- Alcohol and Brief Intervention Training
- Postgraduate Certification, Stress Management and Coping Skills
- Postgraduate Diploma, Zen Shiatsu Therapy
- Postgraduate Diploma, Holistic Therapy
- THETA Healing Advanced DNA Training
- Sundoor Master Firewalking and Empowerment Instructor Training
- Usui Reiki Master/Teacher
- Shamanic Studies
Experience
- Emotion-Focused Therapy for social anxiety, generalised anxiety, and depression
- Trauma and abuse support within a community stress centre setting
- Grief, loss, anxiety, and coping strategies, ensuring compassionate, person-centred care during end-of-life transitions in a hospice setting
- Specialised therapy supporting patients with life-limiting illnesses and their families through individual and group sessions
- Treatment of stress-related difficulties, trauma, anxiety, and depression in long-term clinical practice
- Brief therapy addressing work-related stress and related challenges
- Counselling and support for drug, alcohol, and gambling addictions in both community and residential rehabilitation settings
- Comprehensive psychological assessment, support, and supervision within a clinical research setting
- Private practice addressing trauma, anxiety, depression, stress, inner conflict, emotional difficulties, bereavement, chronic illness, self-harm, relationship issues, addiction, anger, mental health challenges, eating disorders, abuse, sexuality, low self-esteem, financial issues, and major life transitions
- Senior Lecturer responsible for teaching and course development in BSc Therapeutic Psychology & Counselling, BSc Psychology (Clinical & Mental Health), and MSc Counselling & Psychotherapy, as well as serving as a research supervisor for the MA Integrative Counselling & Psychotherapy
- Leading transformational events, workshops, and retreats
Research
- PhD research: Decoding Negative Treatment of Self: Comprehensive Measurement and Diverse Presentations in Socially Anxious Clients
Publications
- Negative Treatment of Self in Socially Anxious Clients https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14779757.2023.2201937
- https://pureportal.strath.ac.uk/en/persons/kay-capaldi
Professional Registrations
- Registered member of the British Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy (MBACP)
- Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA): Awarded in recognition of meeting the UK Professional Standards Framework (UKPSF) for excellence in teaching and learning support within higher education
Member organisations
BACP is one of the UK’s leading professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy with around 60,000 members. The Association has several different categories of membership, including Student Member, Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP, Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Accred) and Senior Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Snr Acccred). Registered and accredited members are listed on the BACP Register, which shows that they have demonstrated BACP’s recommended standards for training, proficiency and ethical practice. The BACP Register was the first register of psychological therapists to be accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA). Accredited and senior accredited membership are voluntary categories for members who choose to undertake a rigorous application and assessment process to demonstrate additional standards around practice, training and supervision. Individual members will have completed an appropriate counselling or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but they won’t appear on the BACP Register until they've demonstrated that they meet the standards for registration. Student members are still in the process of completing their training. All members are bound by the BACP Ethical Framework and a Professional Conduct Procedure.
Accredited register membership
The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Therapies offered
Fees
£140.00 - £180.00
Additional information
Sessions are available in-person, online, or through a hybrid format, each lasting 50 minutes to an hour. The fee for individual therapy is £140 online or £160 in person, while couples therapy is £160 online or £180 in person. I also offer a complimentary 20-minute online consultation to explore the possibility of working together.
When I work
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Further information
People seek psychotherapy for a wide range of reasons. It provides a safe and constructive space to explore your challenges, offering clarity and deeper self-understanding. My goal is to guide you toward greater awareness, empowering you to make meaningful changes in your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. I believe that everyone holds the answers within themselves, and with the right supportive environment, you can access your inner resources to resolve the issues you face.
I offer a safe, caring, and non-judgmental space where you are accepted as you are, allowing you to:
- Discuss the issues causing physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual distress
- Explore your thoughts and feelings with someone outside of your situation
- Develop healthier and more effective coping strategies
- Gain a deeper understanding of yourself and your relationships
- Foster personal insights and facilitate positive changes
- Release repressed or withheld emotions
We will move at your own pace, uncovering more about yourself, your life, and your challenges. Psychotherapy often helps individuals feel more empowered, optimistic, and in control of their lives - ultimately leading to greater happiness and contentment.
As a leader in supporting positive transformation, I bring profound understanding and expertise in facilitating lasting, meaningful change. I am dedicated to empowering individuals, couples, and organisations through humanistic, emotion-focused, and compassion-based approaches. My specialisation lies in helping clients break free from painful emotions, thoughts, beliefs, or behaviours that may be holding them back.
Why continue to be limited by these struggles when you can be free to live your life to the fullest with the right tools?
