Qualifications & Research
Professional Qualifications
Dr Ahmed is a fully certified Counselling Psychologist.
She holds a Professional Doctorate in Counselling Psychology (DPsych) from City, University of London and is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), as well as a Chartered Member of the British Psychological Society (BPS).
Her academic and clinical journey has been centred on understanding the complex relationship between mental health, culture, faith, and identity, with a strong focus on supporting individuals from diverse and often underrepresented communities.
Doctoral Research
Dr Ahmed’s doctoral thesis, titled “An Exploration of Understandings of Mental Health and Mental Health Services Among Young British Pakistani Adults in London,” examined how young British Pakistani adults in London perceive mental health and engage with mental health services. Her research highlighted significant gaps in awareness, as well as the strong influence of cultural and religious beliefs in shaping attitudes towards mental wellbeing and help-seeking.
The findings demonstrated how stigma, often associated with supernatural or faith-based explanations of distress, can create significant barriers to accessing professional support. Her thesis also emphasised the urgent need for culturally sensitive mental health services that better reflect the lived experiences of ethnically diverse communities in the UK, in particular London.
This work offers valuable insights for clinicians, service providers, and policymakers, advocating for more tailored and inclusive approaches to mental healthcare that address the unique challenges faced by underrepresented communities.
Continuing Professional Development
- Institute for Equity, University Centre
:
Annual ‘Equity in Education & Society Conference’ (Attended & Presented June 2025)
- Institute for Equity, University Centre : International Conference for Education & Equity - Jamaica, Montego Bay (Attended & Presented, Oct 2023).
- Complex Trauma Institute :
Stage 1 - Safety & Stabilisation
(June 2021)
- Professional Education Systems Institute (PESI) : Women's Trauma and Mental Health Conference - Empowering women with the skills and insight to thrive (Attended, Nov 2020).
- The Black, African and Asian Therapy Network (BAATN) : Trauma Conference 2020; Black Trauma - When it presents in the therapy room (Attended, Oct 2020).
- College of Sexual and Relationship Therapists (COSRT) : Certificate in Skills for Working Online (Attended, Oct 2020).
- Victim Support : Mental Health First Aid, Disability, Sexual Violence, Girls Gangs and Consequences (Attended, 2012)
Springfield Hospital Recovery College :
Introduction to Recovery and Learning and Supporting an Early Response Breakaway
(Attended, 2012)
Selected Professional Contribution:
Dr Ahmed had the privilege of providing consultation on several chapters of the book authored by Bernard Coard, as well as contributing a formal review featured in the opening review section of the book.
Coard, B. (2025). Teaching in the Caribbean and Britain: My experiences and lessons towards educational transformation. McDermott Publishing.
Forthcoming collaboration:
Dr Ahmed is honoured to announce her upcoming collaboration with Bernard Coard on the second and final instalment of his autobiographical series, currently in preparation.
