Hal Thompson , BACP

Hal Thompson recognises how daunting it can feel to take the first step toward therapy and acknowledges the courage involved in reaching out. He works from a place of respect and curiosity, aiming to build a collaborative therapeutic relationship that supports personal insight and change.

He is an accredited member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and holds a Master’s degree in psychodynamic counselling and psychotherapy from Birkbeck, University of London, as well as a BA in psychology from the University of Sussex. He has professional experience working in mental health across both public and private sectors and previously worked in the arts and education, which informs his relational and person-focused approach.

Hal’s practice is grounded in psychodynamic work, exploring how past experiences and enduring coping patterns influence present life, often beneath conscious awareness. He collaborates with each person to shape a tailored process in which all parts of the self may be invited, acknowledged, and gently challenged. When helpful, he integrates elements of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and internal family systems (IFS) to address practical patterns and internal dynamics.

Hal believes people have a deep capacity for growth that can be blocked by trauma, difficulty, and oppression. He brings a stance of compassion and thoughtful inquiry to sessions, helping clients explore the roots of stuckness and find pathways toward greater understanding, resilience, and wellbeing.

Psychodynamic, CBT, and IFS in Online Practice

The practice draws on psychodynamic work to explore how early experiences and habitual coping strategies continue to shape thoughts, emotions, and relationships in the present. This approach helps uncover unconscious patterns that contribute to distress and offers a space to understand recurring difficulties.

Cognitive behavioural therapy, used alongside psychodynamic work when appropriate, focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviours to reduce symptoms like anxiety, panic, or obsessive patterns. Internal family systems (IFS) helps people map and work with different internal parts - for example critical, protective, or vulnerable parts - to promote internal harmony and reduce self-directed blame.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will discuss goals, preferences, and practical needs with each client to determine whether psychodynamic exploration, targeted CBT techniques, IFS work, or a combination will best support the client’s aims.

Online therapy offers flexibility by allowing sessions by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging. These options can make it easier to fit therapy into busy lives, to connect with therapists across locations, and to maintain continuity of care when circumstances change. Licensed professionals can adapt methods to work effectively through these formats while centering the client’s needs and accessibility.