About Me
Hello, I'm Vilyana Tsekova. My clinical work has undergone significant transformation over the last 18 years, shifting from behavioural therapy to an integrative approach and incorporating certain specialist treatments. Completing separate training as both a psychologist and a psychotherapist holds immense value and benefits for my professional practice.
I have worked in a variety of clinical settings, including CAMHS, forensic mental health, NHS community mental health; the charitable sector, high-intensity therapy service, and private practice. Your health and quality of life are important, and I look forward to the opportunity to work with you.
I have also been involved with humanitarian and human rights organisations, working on various health-related projects and campaigns across the globe such as Stop Torture and My Body, My Rights.
Access to education has been life-changing for me after studying in four different countries. It was a very diverse experience, both academically and culturally, working with people from different cultures and social backgrounds and speaking various languages.
With an earlier background and interest in behavioural therapy and cognitive neuroscience, it was after undergoing psychotherapy myself and its profoundly positive effect that I entered training to be a psychotherapist. I love human connection. One of the best lessons I have learned is that regardless of how culturally different we are due to our lived environment or where we were born, we all are humans with needs.
Academic Qualifications
- BSc in Psychology (distinction). NB University; Sofia, Bulgaria, Five-year, full-time psychology practitioner course.
- PG Diploma in Integrative counselling and coaching (distinction), University of East London.
- Specialisation in Cognitive Neuroscience, Neural Networks and Consciousness. ELTE University; Budapest, Hungary.
- Specialisation in Behavioural Psychology. Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland.
- MSc in Occupational Therapy. University of East Anglia, Norwich.
Post-graduate training courses
- Dialectical Behavioural Therapy: extended training. The Association for Psychological Therapies, Leicester.
- Sensory Integration (2/3). Ulster University, Birmingham.
- STEPPS (Systems Training for Emotional Predictability and Problem Solving): Group Treatment Programme for Borderline Personality Disorder. NEPFT, Essex.
- Sensory Integration in Mental Health and Learning Disability, Forensic and Secure Settings. Sensory Integration Network, UK.
- Schema Therapy: full training. Schema Therapy Institute, London.
- Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT): full advanced clinical skills training. Compassionate Mind Foundation, UK.
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) full training. EMDR Academy, UK.