Kelly Kearley

Psychotherapist and Rare Disease Advocate

Kelly is a psychotherapist, author, and charity leader dedicated to exploring the psychological impact of rare disease, autism, special educational needs (SEN), and caregiving. Her journey into this field began when her son was diagnosed with a rare condition, an experience that profoundly shaped her own mental health and inspired a lifelong commitment to advocacy, awareness, and therapeutic support.
 
Drawing on both lived experience and clinical expertise, Kelly offers a unique perspective that bridges the gap between families navigating extraordinary challenges and the wider systems of healthcare, education, and policy. She is the co-author of Positively Rare, a book that highlights the emotional realities of living with rare conditions, and she serves as the Charity Manager of the PTEN UK and Ireland Patient Group, which she co-founded in 2017. Through this work, she has seen firsthand the transformative power of community and connection.
 
In her psychotherapy practice, Kelly uses an integrative, person-centered approach to help clients process the emotional weight of diagnosis, advocacy and caregiving. She works with both individuals and groups, creating safe and empathetic spaces where resilience and meaning can be built.
 
Beyond her clinical and charity work, Kelly contributes her expertise as a member of several rare disease advisory boards, helping to shape research, healthcare practice, and policy with a strong psychological perspective. This positions her as a trusted voice in both patient advocacy and mental health.
 
Kelly's mission extends beyond the rare disease community: she seeks to make the hidden emotional realities of these journeys visible to the wider world, fostering greater understanding, empathy and change. Her work inspires families, carers, and professionals alike to recognise the importance of mental health in navigating life's most extraordinary circumstances.