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