Dr Kessedjian has over 30 years clinical experience and particular expertise in CBT, DBT, Schema Therapy and EMDR. Whilst much of his work is in adult mental health, he has substantial experience working with adolescents in both outpatient and inpatient settings.
Besides working as a WPA Consultant, Dr Kessedjian also currently holds practising privileges with Opus Performance LTD and continues to work on a part time basis as an NHS Consultant Clinical Psychologist. He is currently Co-Clinical Lead for the Sanctuary Project (formerly the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme) based within the Community Engagement Team, Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Foundation Trust.
Dr Kessedjian has previously held NHS Consultant Clinical Psychology Posts for Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust as Clinical Lead for Urgent Care Pathway Crisis Resolution Home Treatment Teams and North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust as both Clinical Lead for the Community DBT Service and Clinical Lead for Acute Psychological Services based at Harplands Hospital. Dr Kessedjian has additionally held Consultant Clinical Psychology positions at St Andrews Hospital, and for Tranquil House Psychology Services alongside other substantive posts for Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Foundation Trust and Woodbourne Priory Hospital (Adolescent Unit).
Dr Kessedjian is widely considered to be a leading expert in the field of trauma assessment and treatment and holds expertise in the transcultural application of CBT. He was instrumental helping to set up, teach and develop the CBT post graduate training programme at University of Birmingham between 2003 and 2008 and was involved with helping to establish the first ever Palestinian Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies (PABCT) following extensive experience delivering mental health training programmes in the West Bank, Palestine.
As an honorary lecturer, Dr Kessedjian continues to teach on the Oxford and Liverpool Clinical Psychology Doctorate Programmes and has also taught on the Clinical Psychology Doctorate Programmes for the Universities of Birmingham, Coventry and Warwick and Staffordshire.
Dr Kessedjian is regarded by many as a leading figure in the British Psychological Society, driving and supporting initiatives to reduce health inequalities. He is the former Co-Chair of the Human Rights Advisory Group, a former Chair of the Division of Clinical Psychology Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism Task Finish Group and a former Regional Chair of the West Midlands Branch of the Division of Clinical Psychology (DCP). He has also been as elected Trustee / Board Director of the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP).