Dr Katarina Kovacova

Chartered Clinical Psychologist

Dr Katarina Kovacova is a chartered Clinical Psychologist and a University Lecturer. She obtained her Master’s Degree in Psychology (MSc) at Palacky University in the Czech Republic and completed her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the University of East London.   

Dr Kovacova has an extensive clinical experience working with people across a range of age groups and clinical severity, which she has mainly gained in the NHS but also within the private organisations and third sector. She has worked in various clinical settings, including inpatient, outpatient and community care.

Dr Kovacova is experienced in supporting clients presenting with a variety of difficulties such as;

• Addictions, including gambling

• Depression / Low Mood

• Anxiety, stress and worry

• Behavioural difficulties

• Bipolar/manic depression

• Personality disorders

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

• Phobias

• Psychotic experiences

• Relationship difficulties 

• Eating difficulties

• Psychosis

• Trichotillomania

• Anger management

Dr Kovacova has training and experience in a number of evidence-based therapeutic approaches, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Trauma Focused CBT, Systemic (family) Therapy, Mentalisation Based Therapy (MBT), Solution Focused Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and Narrative Therapy.

Dr Kovacova has delivered individual, couple, group and family therapy interventions, culturally sensitive parenting support, and provided training, supervision and consultation to other health professionals, teams and services.  

Alongside her clinical practice, Dr Kovacova has been a guest lecturer at the University of East London, Canterbury Christ Church University and Institute of Psychiatry, teaching on postgraduate Masters and Doctorate programmes.

Dr Kovacova can offer therapy in English, Slovak and Czech.

Models and approaches Katarina uses in her online practice:

• Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

• Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT)

• Coaching (Career / Life)

• Couples Therapy

• Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)

• Exposure Response Prevention (ERP)

• Integrative Therapy

• Interpersonal therapy

• Mindfulness

• Narrative Therapy

• Person-centred therapy

• Psychodynamic therapy

• Schema

• Solution Focused Therapy

• Structural family therapy

• Systemic Couples Therapy

• Systemic Family therapy

Academic Qualifications

• Doctorate in Clinical Psychology -- University of East London, UK (2010-2013)

• MSc in Psychology -- Olomouc University, Czech Republic (2000-2006)

• HCPC Registration number - PYL30204

Other professional training

• Bespoke training and consultation Supervision

• Narrative Therapy -- University College Hospital, London (2014)

• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy -- The Huntercombe Hospital (2013-2014) Systemic

• Family Therapy -- The Tavistock and Portman Trust, London (2012-2013)

• Motivational Interviewing -- National Problem Gambling Clinic, London (2011)

• Mentalisation Based Therapy -- Anna Freud Centre, London (2008)

Feedback about Dr Katarina Kovacova

“I turned to online therapy during the darkest time of my life, I was struggling with my mental health and my GP was unable to offer any support as there was no local funding. I was in a desperate state and my family were very concerned for me.

Kat helped me through the most difficult battle I have ever faced and without her support and advice I don’t think I would be here today.

It has taken a long time for me to heal; Kat supported me every step of the way with kind advice when I couldn’t be kind to myself. She has given me tools and guidance to, move on with my life and I can happily face the future again.

Thank you Kat from myself and my family for helping me get my life back again.” Emma

“I have tried a variety of different counsellors in the past and Katarina was a breath of fresh air! While we were speaking I really felt as though she listened and took in everything that I said. Her advice and the way she seemed to know exactly the emotions I was experiencing made me feel really understood. I am quite a shy person and found speaking to Katarina really easy and I was not nervous at all. She is incredibly understanding and I didn’t feel like I had to hold back anything that I needed to say. The whole experience was very pleasant and she has given me tools for coping, which I will definitely keep on using! Thank you!” Gabriella

“Kat created a safe space for me to work through one of the hardest periods of my life, when I had lost all hope. I’ve been through therapy before, but that had only ever really healed the surface. With Kat’s help, I was able to come up with coping skills and techniques to stop me from repeating the same habits. Not only did Kat make me look at my situation through a different perspective, I also felt she was willing me to succeed and felt genuinely pleased at my progress. If ever I’m in need of therapy in the future, I would certainly be going back to Kat”. Jo