Mal Thompson MA, Gestalt Psychotherapist
About me
About Me:
Hello. I am a Gestalt Psychotherapist, Counsellor, Supervisor, Group facilitator and Trainer and have been running my private practice for many years. I have over 18 years experience in working with individuals, couples and groups. I believe that our patterns of relating are influenced by the experiences and entanglements we encounter in our early life. Attachment difficulties and traumatic experiences can manifest as psychological and bodily symptoms, depression, anxiety, difficulties with intimacy and sexual concerns, issues relating to dependency and addiction, eating disorders, relationship and communication difficulties, birth trauma, divorce and separation. I am interested in how much of our past experience resides in our bodies. Our life stories shape our early years and continue to develop throughout our life span. In Gestalt therapy, mind, body and psyche are of equal importance; the focus is on the whole person.
What I Offer:
As a Gestalt psychotherapist, I endeavour to work creatively and relationally to support the development of self awareness, to help you understand your processes, communicate more effectively and gain insights into your psychological difficulties and concerns.
I offer long term, open ended Gestalt psychotherapy for individuals, couples and groups. I also offer a short term, brief phase of therapy for those needing to focus on a specific problem or issue.
I also offer Clinical Supervision for groups and individuals. I work with experienced practitioners, MA psychotherapy trainees and trainee counsellors.
I have over 20 years experience in designing and delivering training to psychotherapists and counsellors.
How Gestalt Psychotherapy Can Help:
Within the context of the therapeutic relationship, Gestalt therapy supports the exploration of past events and how they are experienced in the present.
There are many varied issues and concerns that bring people to therapy. E.g. If a parent is emotionally unavailable, withholding or abusive, the child will learn to "abandon and disconnect" with their true needs and feelings in order to survive within the family system. These "split off" aspects of the self can manifest ass psychological issues such as anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, addictive, avoidant or obsessive behaviours, isolation and/or physical illness.
Gestalt therapy can provide a safe place for self exploration and enquiry.
Dependency & Addictions:
I have over 18 years experience in working with drug and alcohol addiction.
I am interested in how dependency and addiction can occur as a response to traumatic experiences and how a Gestalt approach can support recovery and promote an understanding of:
Alcohol and drug dependency, eating disorders, anorexia, bulimia, over eating, body dysmorphia, addiction to fantasy, sex addiction, overspending, overworking, gambling and self harm.
Couple Therapy:
I work with couples in a dialogic and creative way, enabling each partner to experience feeling seen and heard, and to experience being with the other.
I can help with:
- Conflict
- Unfinished Business
- Communication Difficulties
- Difficulties with Intimacy
- Sexual Concerns
- Parenting
Training, qualifications & experience
I have an MA in Gestalt Psychotherapy, a Diploma in Individual Psychotherapy and a Diploma in Supervision from the Gestalt Centre London. I am registered with UKCP and subscribe to their code of ethics. I also have an Advanced Diploma in Counselling.
I have 18 years experience of running Experiential Gestalt groups for those who want to develop their awareness and experience a creative way of exploring their issues in a group setting. I also facilitate trauma and the body workshops, and groups for those struggling with dependency on alcohol and drug dependency and other addictions.
I have many years of experience of designing and delivering training for trainee psychotherapists and counsellors and those who are specifically working in the field of substance misuse:
The Impact of Addiction within the Family
Dependency and Addiction from a Gestalt Perspective
Gestalt Therapy as Embodied Relational Practice
How to Develop your Authority as a Psychotherapist from a place of resilience and compassion
The Imprint - how to develop a healthy relationship with the self
I receive regular supervision to support my practice and discuss my work. Client's identity is kept anonymous at all times. All sessions are confidential apart from issues relating to safety.
I am committed to my CPD and regularly attend workshops and conferences to support my personal growth and interest; i.e: Gestalt Therapy as Embodied Relational Practice, Being and Bonding Trauma Constellations workshops.
Member organisations
Registered / Accredited
Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.
UK Council for Psychotherapy
The UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) is a leading professional body for the education, training and regulation of psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors. Its register is accredited by the government's Professional Standards Authority.
As part of its commitment to protect the public, it works to improve access to psychotherapy, to support and disseminate research, to improve standards and to respond effectively to complaints against its members.
UKCP standards cover the range of different psychotherapies. Registration is obtained by training or accrediting with one of its member organisations, or by holding a European Certificate in Psychotherapy. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
Accredited register membership
Accredited Register Scheme
The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Other areas of counselling I deal with
Trauma Constellations Workshops
Clinical Supervision
Therapies offered
Fees
My current fees are £65 - £75 for individuals and £80 - £85 for couples.
All sessions last for 50 minutes and are on a regular weekly basis
All fees for therapeutic group work and training workshops are negotiable, depending on duration of group and number of participants.
Further information
My Practice Locations:
Brighton and Hove:
My consulting rooms are located just behind Hove station and are easy to find. There is metered parking in the area with available parking spaces. If you are driving from the A23, follow signs for Hove.
London:
The Gestalt Centre is located on St Pancras Way, 15 minutes walk from Camden Town underground and St Pancras Station.
