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Kerry Daynes

Author •
TV Presenter / Broadcaster

Forensic Psychologist and TV Presenter

About

Gender: Female

Nationality: United Kingdom

Languages: English

Travels from: United Kingdom

Engagement Types

Topics

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Biography Highlights

Forensic Psychologist & Media Expert: A leading figure in high-security prisons and psychiatric hospitals, frequently featured on TV.
Advocate for Change: Patron of key charities and trustee supporting victims of violence and abuse.
Bestselling Author: Wrote The Dark Side of the Mind, a Sunday Times Top Ten bestseller.

Biography

Kerry Daynes: Resilience and Justice – A Trailblazer in Forensic Psychology and Advocacy

Kerry Daynes’ entry into the field of forensic psychology was a true trial by fire. At just 21 years old, she stepped through the gates of HMP Wakefield, one of the UK’s most notorious prisons, unaware of the immense challenges and prejudice she would face—not just from inmates, but from prison staff. In one particularly harrowing incident, she was locked in a cell with a dangerous prisoner as a cruel prank, not by the inmates, but by the guards themselves. Despite such trials, Kerry persevered, demonstrating an unwavering resolve that would define her career.

Over the following years, Kerry worked in secure psychiatric hospitals, where she became renowned for her ability to connect with and treat some of the most complex, challenging, and often dangerous patients.

Her reputation grew, and she eventually established her own successful practice, offering psychological services in community forensic settings and serving as a court-appointed expert witness. Specializing in homicide and high-profile cases involving serious violence and sexual assault, Kerry’s practical, no-nonsense approach made her a sought-after expert in major police

In addition to her clinical work, Kerry shared her expertise as a lecturer in Applied Psychology at Manchester University from 2004 to 2007 and frequently guest lectured at other universities. Despite facing professional success, she experienced personal setbacks, including burnout and a terrifying experience with a stalker, which led her to pivot into mainstream psychology. In 2013, Kerry became the Regional Head of Psychology for a chain of independent Mental Health Recovery Hospitals.

Kerry’s contributions to psychology extend beyond her practice. She published her Sunday Times bestselling memoir Dark Side of the Mind in 2019, which received widespread praise for its candid portrayal of both offenders and victims as complex, multifaceted individuals, challenging common stereotypes.

She holds several prestigious qualifications: she is a Consultant Psychologist, Chartered Psychologist, and Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society, and she is also a Health & Care Professions Council Registered Forensic Psychologist. Additionally, Kerry is a Chartered Scientist and a member of the Science Council.

Kerry is deeply committed to social causes. She is a proud Patron of the National Centre for Domestic Violence and Talking2Minds, a charity focused on supporting military and blue-light services personnel affected by PTSD. Furthermore, she serves as a trustee for The Suzy Lamplugh Trust, a leading UK charity focused on personal safety and anti-stalking. In recognition of her dedication to her work and advocacy, Kerry was named an Inspirational Woman in 2023.

Through her resilience and dedication, Kerry Daynes has not only shaped the field of forensic psychology but also become a tireless advocate for those affected by trauma, violence, and injustice.

Videos

Media, podcast appearances and interviews

Popular Talks

The Dark Side Of The Mind: My Life As A Forensic Psychologist

From walking into a maximum-security prison at the start of her career aged twenty-one, to becoming a prominent forensic psychologist, Kerry describes the pressure and pitfalls of delving into the darkest recesses of the human psyche. She talks with candour and humour about what a life in crime has taught her about the nature of what it means to be human and the power of compassion.

Available: In person, Virtually

Raising My Voice

Kerry shares her jaw-dropping story of being stalked, and how it became the catalyst for social action. This is a heartfelt and fearless speech about speaking up for ourselves, championing each other, creating our own networks and transforming a frightening experience into an opportunity to make a positive impact.

Available: In person, Virtually

Kerry'S

TESTIMONIALS

Your wellbeing session has received really great feedback with many people saying it was the best they've been to at Discovery! Praise indeed.

Kate Kielty

PR,

Discovery Communications

What a hugely inspirational lady … everyone was transfixed. I have certainly found myself thinking in a different way.

Brian Collier

Experience Economy Lead,

XFS

I wish to thank you on behalf of the Isle of Wight Literary Festival for your incredible talk. You captivated the audience with your fascinating insights into a world most of us only encounter on our television screens.

Julia Dams

Programme Director,

IoW Literary Festival

On behalf of all the Festival team I would like to say a huge thank you for the amazing event at the Festival. We’ve had fantastic feedback from the audience that came and the staff about how fascinating and enlightening the talk was.

Becky Wholley

Festival Co-ordinator,

We would like to send you our most sincere thanks for your wonderful talk to our Conference. We have had some very positive feedback from the delegates; one emailed us to say ‘your keynote speaker was one of the best speakers I have ever heard; fluent, knowledgeable, funny. We agreed we could have happily listened to her for several more hours.’ You started the Conference off on a high note for which we are most grateful.

Jane Mayer

Conference Organiser,

National Womens Register

I wholeheartedly recommend Kerry to any business and any audience serious about taking their people to the next level. Kerry's talks for Health Enrich have set a really positive and upbeat tone for our client events. The content is unique and captivating; funny, informative and challenging. We have had great feedback, including from very senior and experienced leaders who got something new and valuable from Kerry’s keynote. She appeals to all levels and all industries which is a rare find and her messages are clear, immediately actionable and delivered in a way that is hugely enjoyable to listen to. On a more personal level, Kerry is as down to earth as she is professional and it was great working with her.

Zoe Lancaster

Managing Director,

Health Enrich

Kerry Daynes was one of the standout highlights of this year’s festival. An accomplished and engaging speaker, she captivated the audience with her recollections, observations and insight. Fiercely honest and highly entertaining, she was a gem of a guest and we would have her back in a heartbeat.

Lesley Richardson

Open House Festival Bangor

Kerry Daynes is a brilliant communicator, able to translate the intricate and fascinating world of psychology in a witty, warm and engaging way. Salon London has worked with her many times, and at many festivals across the country and can recommend her as a rare find - a speaker who can deliver her expert knowledge in the way audiences enjoy hearing it.

Helen Bagnall

Co-founder,

Salon London and Salon North

Compassionate and powerful

Dr Emma Short

Director ,

National Centre for Cyber-Stalking Research

Back again by popular demand

The Oldie Magazine, Soho Literary Festival

What a revelation! Women in leadership roles or advancing up the career ladder really need to hear Kerry speak. Kerry is entertaining, warm and completely relatable.

Beverley Chadwick

Vice President and Corporate Controller,

Squaretrade Inc

The talk you did for us was one of the most interesting events I have had the pleasure of listening to (I was like a sponge with all the info you presented). I can’t wait to hear more from you.

Gemma Rowland

Literature Festivals Manager,

Harrogate International Festivals

Books

What Lies Buried: A forensic psychologist's true stories of madness, the bad and the misunderstood (Kerry Daynes’ True Stories of Forensic Psychology)

Kerry Daynes, leading forensic psychologist, opens up the case files of some of her most perplexing clients to uncover what lies buried behind some of the most extreme and disturbing behaviour. For twenty-five years, Kerry has worked on the frontline of violent crime, from working with the police on complex cases and acting as an expert witness in court, to advising the government on how to handle high-risk individuals. Whether she is dealing with a young murderer who says he has heard voices telling him to kill, a teacher who daubs children in red paint, or an aspiring serial killer who faints at the sight of blood, Kerry’s quest is to delve beyond the classic question asked of her profession: ‘Are they mad or are they bad?’ In her new book, Kerry provides an unflinching, enlightening and provocative insight into the minds of her clients, shedding light on the root causes of their behaviour and challenging our notions about who, and what, is dangerous.

The Dark Side of the Mind: True Stories from My Life as a Forensic Psychologist (Kerry Daynes’ True Stories of Forensic Psychology)

Welcome to the world of the forensic psychologist, where the people you meet are wildly unpredictable and often frightening. The job: to delve into the psyche of convicted men and women to try to understand what lies behind their often brutal actions. Follow in the footsteps of Kerry Daynes, one of the most sought-after forensic psychologists in the business and consultant on major police investigations. Kerry’s job has taken her to the cells of maximum-security prisons, police interview rooms, the wards of secure hospitals and the witness box of the court room. Her work has helped solve a cold case, convict the guilty and prevent a vicious attack. Spending every moment of your life staring into the darker side of life comes with a price. Kerry’s frank memoir gives an unforgettable insight into the personal and professional dangers in store for a female psychologist working with some of the most disturbing men and women.

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