Kya O’Donnell is an international doctoral student at Liverpool John Moores University from the United States, currently in Stage 2 training to become an HCPC-registered Sport and Exercise Psychologist. With an undergraduate degree in psychology and a master’s degree in sport and exercise psychology, Kya has developed extensive experience in both field hockey and English football. A former Division II field hockey player at Southern Connecticut State University, Kya now serves as the Head of Sport Psychology Support at LFC Foundation. Her approach is an integrated, holistic model that incorporates acceptance-based frameworks, working collaboratively with athletes to identify what is meaningful and relevant in their sporting context. By encouraging psychological flexibility, she helps athletes acknowledge and accept challenging thoughts, emotions, and experiences without judgment, empowering them to commit to purposeful actions aligned with their identity. Her evidence-based practice highlights the importance of valuing both the athlete and the person, ensuring that performance and well-being go hand in hand.

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