Cheryl Kennedy MacDonald

MA BA (Hons) Pg.Dip. MBACP (Accred.) SAC
Registered Psychotherapist

I grew up in Glasgow, a city that doesn’t care who you are or where you came from. Humour is our antidote to pain, honesty is non-negotiable, and we’re resilient. Those values sit at the heart of my work as a psychotherapist: warm, human and steady, without sugar-coating or theatrics. For over two decades I’ve supported women through the chapters that change us: pregnancy and early motherhood; midlife and menopause; heartbreak, divorce and starting again; career shifts; relocation and identity questions. My approach is person-centred and my focus now is clear: relationship trauma and narcissistic abuse, childhood trauma and narcissistic parents, identity change in midlife, ADHD in adult women, and couples therapy where it’s clinically appropriate. I offer a calm, confidential space where we tell the truth and take things at a pace your nervous system can handle. Real change doesn’t come from pretending; it comes when you can bring your whole self—body, mind and history—into the room.

How I Work

My approach is integrative and trauma-informed. I use:

CBT and ACT for clarity and practical, sustainable change.
Psychodynamic, depth psychology and attachment-based work to understand recurring patterns, especially those rooted in early relationships and narcissistic family systems.
Somatic and mindfulness practices to slow down, regulate and reconnect with the body.
Integrative sex and relationship therapy to untangle intimacy, desire and communication.
Specialist ADHD support for women, with thoughtful attention to emotional regulation, masking and late diagnosis.
The Rewind Technique (where appropriate) to reduce the emotional charge of specific traumatic memories without detailed re-exposure.

I’m direct when it helps and gentle when it matters. We’ll work collaboratively—no quick fixes, no performance—just steady, evidence-based therapy that respects your pace and strengthens self-trust. Sessions available in Singapore and online worldwide.

Professional Credentials

Licenses & Certifications

Registered Psychotherapist (MBACP (Accred)
International Association of Counselling IAC registered therapist
E-RYT 500 (Experienced Registered Yoga Therapist)
YogaBellies® Founder & Lead Teacher Trainer (Yoga Alliance International–accredited school)

education background

BA (Hons) Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree
Pg.Dip. Postgraduate Diploma in Integrative Counseling & Psychotherapy
MA Master’s Degree in Integrative Counseling & Psychotherapy
ADHD-CSP (ADHD Clinical Services Provider)
Certified Integrative Sex and Couples Therapist (CISC) – Dr. Tammy Nelson
Certified Integrative Relationship Therapy Professional (C-IRT) – Tammy Nelson
Phoenix Divorce Recovery Practitioner
Certified Narcissistic Abuse Treatment Clinician (NATC) – Dr. Ramani Durvasula
Certified Rewind Technique Practitioner

Professional Experience

Psychotherapist specialising in relationship trauma/narcissistic abuse, childhood trauma, midlife transitions, ADHD in women, and couples work.
25+ years supporting women’s physical and mental health across life stages; international practice (Singapore & online).
Founder of YogaBellies®; trained teachers globally and supported 100,000+ women.
Creator of YogaPause™ (menopause & hormonal balance).
Recognised by LuxLife & Great British Entrepreneur Awards; media features include ITV’s This Morning and BBC’s Dragon’s Den.

Research & Publications

My clinical work is grounded in published academic research. I am a peer-reviewed author whose work explores the intersection of embodied practice, somatic psychotherapy, and women’s health across the lifespan.

Peer-reviewed journal articles:

Kennedy MacDonald, C. (2026). Embodiment and somatic-informed psychotherapeutic practice in the prenatal journey: a reflective integration of holistic birth preparation and prenatal yoga. Body, Movement and Dance in Psychotherapy. Routledge/Taylor & Francis. → https://doi.org/10.1080/17432979.2026.2648493

MacDonald, C. (2013). Mother and baby yoga is good for you. The Practising Midwife. → https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23789249

MacDonald, C. (2012). What midwives need to know about baby massage. The Practising Midwife. → https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23082398

Further academic publications in development. ORCID: 0009-0007-3944-4548

Books

I am the author of more than 10 books on women’s health, yoga, birth, and midlife wellbeing — practical, honest guides that meet women where they actually are.

Selected titles include:

YogaPause: What Women Need to Know After 40 and Why Yoga Is the Answer — a positive, evidence-informed guide to perimenopause and menopause

Birth ROCKS: Realistic Hypnobirthing and Birth Preparation for All Women — a calm, body-based approach to pregnancy and birth preparation

YogaBellies for Pregnancy — the complete yoga and wellness guide across all four trimesters

Unleashing Your Radiant Life: A YogaPause Guided Journal for Women Over 40

The MindBodyME Journal by YogaBellies — 90 days of integrated women’s wellness

My Dream Yoga Business Journal — for women building a yoga teaching career

→ Full bibliography and all titles available at: https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Cheryl-Kennedy-MacDonald/author/B00DFL37HO

In the Press & Media

My work has been featured across print, broadcast, and digital media internationally.

Broadcast: BBC Dragons’ Den — winner ITV This Morning — yoga and women’s health contributor

Print & digital features: Yoga Journal · The Practising Midwife · Psychologies · Women’s Health · Women’s Fitness · Mother & Baby · HELLO! · OK! · OM Yoga Magazine · Juno · The Green Parent · Daily Mail · Your Fitness

Awards: LuxLife Most Inspirational Women’s Yoga Teacher 2021 · Great British Entrepreneur Award 2019 · Scottish Edge Award for Enterprise 2013 · Woman of the Year Award 2014 · Mumpreneur UK Award 2012