About
Aya El-Saqa
CBT & Schema Therapy Specialist
Behind every therapeutic space is a human story. Aya El-Saqa’s journey is shaped by curiosity, resilience, and deep respect for the human mind.
Aya holds an MSc in Psychology and is currently pursuing her PhD at Cairo University. With over a decade of clinical experience, she specializes in CBT and Schema Therapy, supporting adolescents and adults through emotional, developmental, and life challenges with evidence-based, compassionate care.
More About Aya
Aya works with a wide range of mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, personality disorders, ADHD, ASD, PTSD, Complex PTSD, OCD, emotional dysregulation, and behavioral difficulties. She also supports clients through life transitions such as grief, trauma, divorce, and relationship challenges, while helping parents better understand their children’s needs and manage their own stress. Her therapeutic approach integrates CBT, Schema Therapy, ACT, DBT, EFT, and Gestalt Therapy. She believes therapy is not about “fixing” people, but about helping them reconnect with their strengths, insight, and capacity for growth.
Beyond the Therapy Room
Who Is Aya, Really?
Aya is half Egyptian and half Palestinian, a background that shaped her identity, sensitivity, and worldview.
Outside her clinical work, she finds inspiration in classical music, poetry, baking, discovering new restaurants, organizing, the sea, and nature. These human layers enrich her work and deepen the way she connects with others.
Her Story
Aya was born and raised in Kuwait, where her love for learning was shaped early by her mother’s belief in education. From a young age, she learned independence, resilience, and self-driven achievement. After high school, Aya moved to Egypt and studied Psychology at Cairo University. She completed her bachelor’s degree in 2013 and later earned her master’s in Cognitive Psychology, training under Professor Abeer Anwar. Over the years, she trained in schools, centers, and clinics, building broad clinical experience. After earning her master’s degree in 2021, she began her PhD and continues to expand her expertise through advanced training in CBT, ACT, and Schema Therapy.
Mind & Body
An Integrated Path to Healing
Mental health thrives through integration. While medication may help regulate brain chemistry and reduce distress, psychotherapy offers tools for understanding, coping, and reclaiming agency.
Together, they create a balanced path toward resilience, insight, and growth.
Diagnosis
Understanding, Not Labeling Diagnosis is not a label. It is a guide that helps clarify the roots of a person’s struggles and whether medical support may be helpful alongside therapy. Each client is seen as a whole human being, not a category. Therapy remains a safe and respectful space for exploration, understanding, and healing.
Tailored Therapy
No One-Size-Fits-All Every concern requires an individualized approach. Anxiety, for example, may be addressed through CBT, DBT, ACT, or an integrated model. The method is chosen based on the client, not only the diagnosis. Aya thoughtfully combines effective strategies to support each person’s unique journey.
Therapeutic Reflections
Aya believes clients must be understood in the way they need to be understood. This is the foundation of meaningful change. The therapeutic relationship is a powerful part of healing and must be built with safety, awareness, and clear boundaries. Evidence-based therapy should remain flexible, tailored to each person’s context, and centered around the client’s goals, not the therapist’s assumptions.
FAQ
What happens in the first session?
The first session is for understanding what brings you to therapy, your background, and your goals. We agree on a clear direction and a pace that feels safe, and you can ask any questions about the process.
How long is each session?
Sessions are typically 50 minutes. (If your practice uses a different duration, you can edit this.) Longer sessions may be arranged when clinically appropriate.
How many sessions will I need?
It depends on your goals and the nature of the concern. Some clients prefer short-term, skills-focused work, while others choose longer-term therapy to address deeper patterns. You’ll regularly review progress together.
Do you offer online sessions?
Yes—online sessions are available (and in-person sessions are available if offered). The structure remains the same, with attention to privacy and a supportive therapeutic setting.
Is therapy confidential?
Confidentiality is a core part of therapy. Information is kept private, with limited exceptions related to safety concerns or legal/ethical requirements, which will be explained clearly.
How can I book an appointment?
You can request an appointment through the booking form on the website, or contact directly via phone/WhatsApp or email. You’ll receive a confirmation with the available times and next steps.