Desideratum Psychological & Counselling Services Ltd

Training, qualifications & experience

Maria is a Registered Counselling Psychologist with the Health Care Professions Council and a Chartered Counselling Psychologist and Associate Fellow of the British Psychologist Society.

Selected Qualifications:
Introduction to Counselling Skills & Theory Certificate
BTec Professional Development Certificate in Counselling
BSc (Hons) Psychology & Social Policy Degree
Masters in Counselling Psychology
Post-Masters Diploma in Counselling Psychology
Doctorate in Counselling Psychology
EMDR Trained Practitioner
Essentials in Clinical Supervision (BPS approved, conferring eligibility to join The Register of Applied Psychology Practice Supervisors)
Level A Testing –  BPS Test Users Register and Certificate of Competence
Level B Intermediate Testing –  BPS Test Users Register and Certificate of Competence

BPS accredited MSc Neuropsychology:

     CPD in Neuropsychology

     CPD in Epilepsy, Seizures & Sleep Disorders
     CPD in Stroke
     CPD in Neurodegenerative Conditions
     CPD in Brain Injury

MSc Neuropsychiatry: CPD in Acquired Brain Injury
CPD in Psychometric Testing for Older Adults
CPD in Risk Assessment: HCR-20 version 2
CPD in Writing Court Reports (2005)
Master Class Expert Witness Presenting Evidence in Court (2008)
BPS Becoming An Expert Witness (2014)
BPS Expert Witness Level 1 Essential Knowledge of being an Expert Witness (2014)
BPS Expert Witness Level 2 Report Writing (2014)
BPS Expert Witness Level 3 Presenting Court Room Evidence (2014)
BPS Expert Witness Level 4 Use of Psychometric Assessments for Court (2014)
EWI certified Medico-Legal Report Writing (Core Skills) (2014)
Continuing Professional Development –  various attended each year - available on request.

Clinical Experience:

Dr. Thompson has been working therapeutically with individuals, couples and groups  since 1997 in a wide range of settings.  She has extensive clinical experience of providing psychological assessment and treatment for adults, older adults with mental health and forensic histories, that presented with mild, moderate, severe enduring and complex mental and physical health issues.

Dr. Thompson has worked in statutory and non-statutory organisations in the voluntary, public and private sectors.  Her positions have included a University Senior Lecturer, A Consultant / Crisis Services Manager and Head of Psychology within the Female Prison Estate (Medium Secure). She was a psychologist in an Employee Assisted Programme for Council employees.  Dr. Thompson developed an Older Adult domiciliary service and practiced within the NHS in Primary and Secondary care (GP surgeries and Older Adult In/Outpatients).  She gained 5.5 years experience as a Consultant Counselling Psychologist within the prison service and within a Low Secure Private Hospital supporting those with complex co-morbid forensic and mental health issues, brain injury and neurodegenerative conditions. Throughout her career she has provided staff support, service development, management, supervision and risk assessment.

Since entering into private practice in December 2013 she has worked predominantly with Adult Survivors of childhood abuse, Personality difficulties, Anger Management, PTSD due to various causes, Depression, Anxiety and Relationship issues.  As part of her developing work as an expert witness, she has produced several medico-legal reports and HR reports.

Other areas of counselling we deal with

Referrals are accepted for Issues such as:

Mental Health, Psychological trauma, PTSD: accident, PTSD: injury, PTSD: rape, PTSD: traumatic childhood, PTSD: life events, Adult Survivors of Abuse, Adult Survivors of Sexual Abuse, Cognitive Function assessment & treatment, Memory Impairment assessment & treatment, Violence risk assessment, Female offender issues, Medico-Legal Reports, Mood Disorders, Depression, Anxiety, Anger, Psychological assessment of adults, Psychological treatment, Psychological assessment of older adults, Self Esteem, Self Development, Anger Management, Assertiveness Training, Behaviour Problems, Race & Religious Issues, Carer Support, Grief and Loss, Life Transition & Adjustment Issues, Interpersonal Relationship issues, Psychotherapy, Counselling, Personality Assessment, Psychopathology Assessment, Anticipatory Grief & Bereavement, Multiple Losses, Pain Management, Relaxation Difficulties, Sleeping Difficulties, Stress Management, Palliative Care, Chronic Health Conditions, Neurodegenerative Conditions, Parkinson's Disease, Dementia, Early onset Dementia, Alzheimer's Disease, Huntington's Disease, Brain Injury, Neuro-Rehabilitation & Injury Counselling, Victim of Crime, Cult Involvement, Domestic Violence, Self Harm, Suicidal Risk, Workplace Bullying, Work & Occupational Stress, Mental Illness, Panic Disorder, Health Anxiety, Anxiety Management, Bipolar Disorder, Depression, Psychosis, Schizophrenia, Dissociative Conditions, Dissociative Identity Disorder, Personality Disorders, Personality Difficulties, Older Adult Issues, Older Adult Well-Being, Domiciliary / Home Visits for Senior Citizens, Domiciliary / Home Visits for clients with disabilities, Domiciliary visits to Charities, Domiciliary visits to Nursing Homes, Person Centred Dementia Care, Older Adult Well-Being Groups.

Further information

Maria is a recognised psychologist practitioner with the following health insurance providers through Desideratum P&C Services Ltd:

- AXA PPP Healthcare     - AVIVA     - BUPA     - PruHealth     - CIGNA