Hal Thompson
Psychodynamic counsellor for stress and trauma
About Hal
Hal Thompson welcomes people who are feeling overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, addictions, low self-esteem or the lasting impact of trauma. He aims to make first steps manageable and practical. Hal writes plainly and listens carefully so people can say what matters to them.
He trained in psychology at the University of Sussex and holds a Master’s degree in psychodynamic counselling and psychotherapy from Birkbeck, University of London. Hal is a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - BACP.
Background and approach
Hal’s main way of working is psychodynamic. He looks at how past experiences and coping habits affect life now. Much of this work is about spotting patterns that happen without conscious intent and figuring out how to change them.
When useful, Hal brings in techniques from other approaches such as cognitive behavioural therapy and internal family systems. He selects tools that suit each person’s situation rather than following one fixed method.
Common topics he helps with include attachment issues, dissociation, drug and alcohol addiction, guilt and shame, men’s issues, narcissism, obsessions and compulsions, panic, post-traumatic stress, prejudice and discrimination, self-harm, self-love and social anxiety. Sessions are practical, conversational and paced to the client’s needs.
What Hal works with
Sessions & fees
How psychodynamic and practical approaches work online
Psychodynamic work involves noticing patterns that come from past experience and talking through how they show up now. Online sessions can replicate this by allowing time to reflect on relationships, feelings and repeated behaviours in conversation. Cognitive behavioural techniques focus on practical steps and small experiments to change thoughts and behaviours, which suit check-ins and homework between sessions.Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will discuss goals and preferences, try methods that fit the person's situation and adjust the plan as progress is made. That flexibility helps shape a clear way forward together rather than sticking to one model.
Online therapy with this counsellor is offered by video call, phone, live chat or text-based messaging. Video is useful for face-to-face conversation and reading non-verbal cues. Phone sessions can be helpful when bandwidth is limited or a quieter audio-only check-in is needed. Live chat and messaging suit shorter updates, additional support between longer sessions and people who prefer to write rather than speak. These options aim to make therapy more flexible and easier to fit into everyday life.
| Session length | Typically 50 minutes |
|---|---|
| Client ages | Adults, 18 and over |
| Fees | Subscription via BetterHelp, cancel anytime |
| Insurance | Not billed directly |
Questions people ask
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Areas of focus
What this therapist works with
Also listed
- Experience
- 3 years
- Registered with
- BACP
- Languages
- English
