DBT London Team
Our multidisciplinary team of highly skilled psychologists, psychotherapists, counsellors, and specialist DBT practitioners offers transformative, evidence-based therapy to support lasting change. With extensive experience across the NHS, private hospitals, education, and charitable sectors, we work with people facing challenges such as borderline personality disorder, emotional dysregulation, self-harm, relationship difficulties, and other complex emotional and behavioural issues. Every member of our team is committed to delivering compassionate, high-quality care, tailoring treatment to your unique needs and helping you develop the skills to overcome life’s challenges.
Dr Vik Patel – Consultant Psychologist
Dr Vik is a Consultant Psychologist with extensive experience delivering evidence-based treatments, including Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT). His approach combines scientific techniques with a compassionate, lifestyle-oriented ethos to support lasting emotional wellness. In addition to DBT, he is trained in Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) for trauma work and Radically Open DBT (RO-DBT), helping clients enhance emotional openness, flexibility, and connection. He has worked across the NHS and private sectors, including The Priory Hospital, and has held clinical lead roles overseeing service delivery, policy updates, and quality standards. A visiting lecturer at a local university, he teaches doctoral-level psychology students and provides autism and ADHD assessments with a focus on holistic, non-pharmacological approaches. Widely recognised for his expertise in DBT, Dr Vik is passionate about empowering individuals to build emotional independence and lead meaningful, fulfilling lives.
Dr Hannah Fernandez – Counselling Psychologist
Hannah is a dedicated Counselling Psychologist, registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and trained in DBT with the British Isles DBT Training Team. She has worked across private practice, outpatient care, and inpatient treatment for adults and young people. Previously, she facilitated DBT groups at the Priory Hospital and now provides both group and individual DBT sessions with DBT London. Her approach is warm, compassionate, and collaborative, creating a non-judgemental space where clients can explore challenges and build skills for meaningful change. She integrates DBT, CBT, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), alongside mindfulness, Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), tailoring treatment to each client’s needs and goals.
Thomas Coles – Integrative Counsellor and DBT Psychotherapist
Thomas trained with the British Isles DBT Training Team and currently practises at the Priory Hospital North London, providing group and one-to-one DBT treatment. He has a particular interest in working with emotional dysregulation and draws on experience in addiction services, having worked for several years in a residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre in Hertfordshire. He has also worked in young people’s mental health services and schools. Trained in mindfulness at the Oxford Mindfulness Centre, Thomas has further deepened his practice through silent retreats with the London Buddhist Centre. He is completing a two-year diploma in relationship and psychosexual therapy. His style is relaxed and down-to-earth, integrating creative approaches to skills training. He holds a Level 4 Diploma in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy, is a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), and a student member of COSRT.
Sirma Naydenova – DBT Psychotherapist
Sirma is a qualified counsellor and psychotherapist, holding a Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy from the University of East London and a BSc in Psychology from University College London. She has over three years of clinical experience across diverse settings, including two years as an Assistant Psychologist and one year as a Trainee Psychotherapist at the Priory Hospital Roehampton. During this time, she facilitated group therapy sessions on an acute adult inpatient ward, provided one-to-one therapy within the CAMHS unit, and led DBT groups for adult outpatients for 18 months. Sirma has also worked as a Research Assistant within the NHS, supporting an Early Intervention in Psychosis service, and has experience working with children with autism spectrum disorder to enhance emotional regulation skills. Earlier in her career, she contributed to a research project on post-traumatic stress disorder at University College London.
Laura Winlow – DBT Therapist
Laura has several years’ experience facilitating DBT skills groups. She supports clients to develop practical ways of managing intense emotions and improving their relationships. Laura completed her DBT Foundational Training with the British Isles DBT Training team, and has worked with both adults and adolescents across inpatient and outpatient settings. Alongside her DBT work, Laura is training as an Integrative Therapist at London Metropolitan University, where she is completing an MSc in Counselling and Psychotherapy. Laura brings a warm, compassionate, and collaborative approach to her work, helping clients develop greater emotional resilience, deepen their understanding of themselves, and build meaningful, lasting change.
Tanya Dalton – DBT Psychotherapist
Tanya has extensive experience supporting clients with a range of mental health conditions, including borderline personality disorder, ADHD, bereavement, anxiety, depression, and postnatal depression. She has worked in the education sector, providing therapy to children and parents presenting with trauma, loss, relationship issues, abuse, ADHD, and autism spectrum disorder. Tanya has also worked as a perinatal therapist within the NHS, supporting clients with complex issues during the perinatal period. Trained in DBT, she works as both a group facilitator and one-to-one therapist, treating mood disorders and emotional dysregulation. Alongside her clinical work, Tanya draws on over 20 years’ experience in a multinational company, giving her insight into workplace pressures and home-life balance. She holds a Diploma in Integrative Counselling, has completed British Isles and APT DBT training, and is an accredited member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP Accred).