A conversation with Stephanie Thompson

• What led you to choose psychotherapy or counselling as a profession?

  I had a most wonderful Organisational Psychology professor at university who was also a highly effective counsellor. He got tangible, fast results for people.
  
  This was against a backdrop of extremely poor outcomes achieved by the psychological counselling profession as a whole at that time (circa 1990) - actually zero net benefit shown in our research. My professor was stridently critical of this, and rightly so. I found his pragmatic and empathic dedication to doing what works - evidence-based therapy - very inspiring. I wanted to do the same.
  
  So "Do what works, or don't bother" has been a mantra for me for the past 25 years. I couldn't bear to just sit and listen and nod for hours per week. I want to work practically with people to achieve tangible and sustained improvements in their situation.

• Which philosophical approaches have influenced your professional development?

  I like to make a clear distinction between academic theories and the realities of working with someone to solve a unique life problem. Some psychological theories really do help, but many don't translate well into the real world. Again it comes down to figuring out what genuinely works and doing that, rather than theorising.
  
  I am a health scientist at heart. I love research, plus my own experience shows that the majority of common psychological conditions such as depression, anxiety and stress are far more easily and quickly remedied than many believe.

• Which particular aspects of health or the human journey are you interested in?

  I have a great passion for understanding what the nervous system needs nutritionally in order to produce positive mood. There is wonderful research in this area that demonstrates potent effects from changing dietary variables, though this knowledge is sadly very rarely utilised. Some quite severe negative mood states can be resolved extremely quickly this way.
  
  I also enjoy assisting people struggling with CFS/ME, because the dismissal or minimisation of this condition by some in the medical profession can be extremely distressing. I have worked with many clients with CFS/ME over the years and not for a single one of them was it "all in their head"! It is a very real physical condition.
  
  The stress mechanisms of the body, however, interact intimately with the immune and energy systems, so leverage can be gained by using psychological techniques to support recovery by taking pressure off these systems.
  
  I also have a passion for movement-based therapies, especially those based in dance and connection with others. Hard to describe but profound to experience, this field is a cornucopia of opportunity for personal growth and joyous engagement with life.

• What methods do you use?

  I use a blended approach that I call 'Therapeutic Coaching'. It marries the best of...
  - Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
  - Business-style Coaching, and
  - Solution-focused Counselling / Brief Therapy (SFBT)
  
  I also have a large kitbag of tips and techniques for resolving depressed mood, anxiety, phobias, relationship issues and work stress.

• When do you think the client will start to feel that progress is being made?

  Sometimes after the very first session, usually by the second, or almost always by the third - depending, of course, on the nature of the problem. Some issues are bigger and take longer, whereas others can be remedied surprisingly quickly.
  

• How has therapy made a difference in your life?

  The discipline of what in counselling is called 'unconditional positive regard' is extremely personally beneficial. It refers to the rigorous non-judgement of whatever a client brings to the table, and meeting them where they are currently with a neutral, supportive understanding. Practicing that for many years produces a depth and breadth of understanding of the human experience that is invaluable in so many arenas. It's a very functional and constructive mindset.
  
  The second most beneficial thing has been learning the art of executive coaching, or business coaching. I was very fortunate to learn this from the original British developers of this specialty. The techniques are invaluable for getting lasting results both for counselling and executive clients, as well as for problem-solving in general.

• What do you like most about being a therapist?

  Seeing clients surprised by how dramatically and quickly a situation that felt so dire and desperate can change for the better, and knowing that I helped to achieve that.
  
  I also love knowing that by helping one person to become very functional and effective in their lives, I have triggered the multiplier effect - many positive dominoes fall after that. By one person becoming a better parent, employee, boss, scientist, teacher (etc), countless others will benefit across time and the world becomes that bit better.

• Do you ever have 'bad hair' days?

  Oh yes.

• What do you think is the most significant problem we face, in the world today?

  Ooh, to pick just one... I think I have to pick two:
  
  1. 'Wealthy malnutrition' - educated and otherwise high-functioning people operating far below par due to a diet of food-like substances rather than the actual nutrition required by their nervous systems. A massive swathe of mood and cognitive disorders could be eliminated if proper attention were given to this.
  
  2. Failure of empathy. This is the causative agent that powers most of the major ills in the world, from simple domestic misery to great wars, monetary systems that are corrupt at their core, and pharmaceutical marketers who sacrifice the wellbeing of strangers in exchange for profit or a fleeting 'win'. If all of our children were taught empathy (or ethics, which is essentially the same thing) the world would be a far saner and more pleasant place.

• Can you share the name of a book, film, song, event or work of art that inspires you?

  Too many to list!