The Knightsbridge Practice Directors
Professional psychologists and therapists in West London
The Knightsbridge Practice team is composed of experienced professionals who bring together clinical expertise, strategic vision, and a shared commitment to excellence in mental healthcare. Our leadership team ensures that every aspect of the practice - from therapeutic standards to client experience - is held to the highest standard.
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With backgrounds in psychology, healthcare management, and organisational development, our leaders work collaboratively to create a practice where both clients and clinicians feel valued, supported, and inspired to grow. United by a belief in the power of thoughtful, relationship-led care, The Knightsbridge Practice team plays a central role in shaping the trusted reputation we’re known for today.
Dr Alex Thomas
Counselling Psychologist
Following a successful career in the corporate sector, a personal journey through trauma led Dr. Alex Thomas to discover her true vocation in psychological therapy. The guidance and support she received during that time - from a therapist who offered both depth and clarity - became the foundation for her own commitment to supporting others with the same presence and care.
Dr. Thomas’s therapeutic style is active and engaged, offering a reflective space in which clients can explore meaning, direction, and personal growth. She works with a broad range of emotional concerns and holds particular expertise in trauma, anxiety (including obsessive-compulsive presentations), burnout, substance misuse, and the psychological impact of living with long-term health conditions such as HIV.
She works primarily with adults and has a strong commitment to inclusive, affirming care for the LGBTQIA+ community. Her approach is integrative and relational, drawing upon Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), alongside psychodynamic and existential frameworks. This flexible approach allows her to tailor each therapeutic experience to the unique needs, histories, and goals of her clients.
Dr. Thomas is known for her calm, thoughtful presence and her capacity to create a non-judgemental space where clients feel respected and empowered. She is a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), a Chartered Member of the British Psychological Society (BPS), and a registered Counselling Psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
Dr Maria Martinez
Chartered Counselling Psychologist
Dr Maria Martinez is a Chartered Counselling Psychologist with extensive experience across the NHS, third-sector organisations, and private practice. Known for her warm, thoughtful, and collaborative presence, she offers a safe and confidential therapeutic space where clients feel deeply heard, respected, and supported in navigating life’s emotional challenges.
Drawing on clinical experience and a genuine passion for emotional wellbeing, Dr Maria Martinez helps clients make sense of their inner world and move toward greater clarity, confidence, and self-understanding. Her work centres on helping people untangle the impact of past experiences, navigate anxiety, depression, self-esteem or relationship difficulties, and rediscover a more grounded connection with themselves.
Dr Martinez works collaboratively with clients to explore the deeper layers of their emotions and life experiences - supporting them to identify patterns, reconnect with their values, and create meaningful change. Her approach is gentle yet insightful, helping clients develop resilience, self-compassion, and a renewed sense of purpose.
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Her therapeutic style is integrative, combining the depth of Psychodynamic and Existential thinking with the practical tools of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), alongside the empathy of Person-Centred Therapy. This flexible and relational approach allows her to tailor each session to the unique needs, pace, and goals of the individual - whether they seek to process the past, strengthen emotional regulation, or cultivate personal growth.
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Dr Martinez holds a Doctorate in Counselling Psychology from Regent’s University London, an MSc in Social Cognition from University College London (UCL), and a MA (Hons) in Psychology from The University of Edinburgh. She is a Chartered Member of the British Psychological Society (BPS) and registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), reflecting her commitment to the highest professional and ethical standards.
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Her professional background includes work within the NHS, mental health charities, and private practice, offering her a broad understanding of the complexities of human experience. This diverse experience has shaped her belief that therapy is not only about easing distress but about fostering a deeper connection with oneself and one’s life.
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At The Knightsbridge Practice, Dr Martinez’s aim is to create a space where clients feel seen and supported as they navigate their own path toward healing, authenticity, and emotional balance. She is a culturally competent practitioner who welcomes clients from all backgrounds, identities, and beliefs. She offers a respectful and supportive space for anyone seeking therapeutic support.
Sessions are available in both English and Spanish.
