Natalia Thompson
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
In my practice, I welcome anyone who’s feeling lost, overwhelmed, anxious, stuck or simply unhappy. There are no expectations - I’ll meet you where you are, and we’ll work together to find a way forward. I enjoy working with both neurotypical and neurodivergent minds, and many of my clients have been diagnosed with or suspect they have ASD and/or ADHD.
I offer a free 20-minute online or telephone consultation.
As a therapist, I have a special passion for working with adults who may have faced challenges in their relationship with parents while growing up. I deeply understand the significant impact that early experiences have on our emotional wellbeing and how they shape our connections with others.
How can talking to someone help?
Does any of this apply to you:
- finding it difficult to get on top of things and feeling 'I should be doing better'?
- having an underlying sense of 'something is wrong with me'?
- seeing no solution to existing problems?
- or perhaps having an idea what the solution looks like, but feeling unable to move in that direction?
- doubting yourself and lacking confidence?
- feeling that others often don’t really understand you?
If so, you’re not alone. When we feel stressed, overwhelmed, lost or stuck in life, speaking to someone outside our immediate friends and family circle can be really helpful.
Therapy isn’t about fixing you - because you’re not broken. It’s about understanding how your past has shaped your relationships with yourself and others, and picking up some helpful tools to navigate life’s challenges.
What difference can therapy make?
It can:
- help you cope with and make sense of overwhelming emotions
- help in regaining inner stability and balance
- help you stop going in circles and get unstuck
- give you ‘permission’ to be yourself and stop feeling guilty
- improve your relationships, especially your relationship with yourself
Training, qualifications & experience
Having been in therapy myself, where I often felt understood but still wondered “Is that all there is?”, I’ve come to realise that I am driven not only to help clients process deep emotions but to also support meaningful, sustainable change.
My approach combines Attachment theory with insights from the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model. I have found that these models, particularly their focus on inner harmony and non-pathologising approach, can be game-changing for many clients.
In my busy online private practice, I have the privilege of working with a diverse range of clients, supporting them through meaningful and often transformative work. My background includes experience in charitable organisations and the NHS, where I worked with people from all walks of life, including survivors of trauma.
Qualifications & Training
• PgDip in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy - Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust, London
• Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling - CPCAB, UK
• IFS courses: An IFS Approach to Foster Secure Internal Attachment with Dr Richard Schwartz - NICABM; Treating Trauma with IFS Therapy - PESI UK
• Specialised training supporting survivors of sexual violence
• BACP registered member
Member organisations
BACP is one of the UK’s leading professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy with around 60,000 members. The Association has several different categories of membership, including Student Member, Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP, Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Accred) and Senior Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Snr Acccred). Registered and accredited members are listed on the BACP Register, which shows that they have demonstrated BACP’s recommended standards for training, proficiency and ethical practice. The BACP Register was the first register of psychological therapists to be accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA). Accredited and senior accredited membership are voluntary categories for members who choose to undertake a rigorous application and assessment process to demonstrate additional standards around practice, training and supervision. Individual members will have completed an appropriate counselling or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but they won’t appear on the BACP Register until they've demonstrated that they meet the standards for registration. Student members are still in the process of completing their training. All members are bound by the BACP Ethical Framework and a Professional Conduct Procedure.
Accredited register membership
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
Therapies offered
Fees
£60.00 per session
Free initial telephone or online session
When I work
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Further information
Why Attachment Theory?
Attachment theory explores the roots of our emotional experiences, originating from the foundational work of John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth. This approach suggests that early relationships with our primary caregivers set the stage for how we connect with others throughout life. The ways in which we were nurtured (or not) as children influence our abilities to form secure bonds, handle emotions, and engage in social relationships as adults.
Research has shown that our attachment styles — whether secure, anxious, avoidant, or disorganised — play a significant role in shaping our adult relationships and emotional health. For example, those with secure attachment often find relationships fulfilling and stable, whereas insecure attachment can bring about difficulties with trust, intimacy, and self-worth. Through exploring these early patterns, attachment therapy provides insights into recurring themes in your relationships, helping you to understand how your past may still impact your present.
Why IFS?
While attachment theory addresses the origins of our external relationships, Internal Family Systems (IFS) focuses on the relationships we hold within ourselves. Developed by Dr. Richard Schwartz, IFS offers a unique perspective by viewing the mind as composed of distinct “parts,” each with its own voice and purpose. These parts might include a critical inner voice, a protective part, or a vulnerable inner child — each playing a role in how we feel, think, and react.
IFS is particularly helpful for those grappling with inner conflicts or unresolved wounds. Unlike traditional methods, this approach recognises each part as valuable, fostering a respectful, non-pathologising space to understand these internal dynamics. For instance, protective parts may work to shield you from past pain or disappointment, even if their actions sometimes create tension or discomfort. By acknowledging and understanding the intentions of these parts, IFS helps to create a kinder and more harmonious internal environment.
In essence, IFS complements attachment theory by providing a compassionate path to self-understanding. It allows you to integrate and embrace all parts of yourself, cultivating a deep sense of balance and peace within.
Please note, I am not a formally trained IFS practitioner. My approach is informed by IFS principles, ensuring that I incorporate these ideas ethically and within the scope of my training.
