Emma Thompson (she/they)

I don't believe we get hurt alone, and don't believe we heal alone either! I specialize in a systemic approach to therapy work - inclusive of the system of ourselves, of our families, communities, society and global systems. Together, we can explore the connectedness between these systems, build stronger and richer communication skills, find a more thorough understanding of the way you show up in relationships -- and get curious where you might have learned those things!

I have lived experience in high-control religion, and have nuanced expertise in religious trauma healing work. I would be happy to create a space where you can focus on on deconstructing the intersection of whiteness and white supremacy, fundamentalism, body shame/control, anti-fatness, anti-queerness, compulsory heteronormativity and monogamy, purity culture, perfectionism and existential dread. I also offer periodic religious trauma groups, if healing in a group context is more your speed.

From my perspective, all parts of us are precious - although occasionally misguided in their efforts to help us. I see therapy as a safe place to try out befriending the parts within you that hold compassion and kindness, and invite them to extend that compassion and kindness inward.

Foundational in my work is the idea that our bodies learn differently than our minds -- so therapy should be a place where we can try out something new! We might incorporate somatic work through exploration of sensation, through tuning into the embodied experience of a feeling, and getting curious about where that might lead us. We might also incorporate nervous system regulation that centers somatic movement.

I am Level 3 certified in Integrative Somatic Parts work, which utilizes an IFS Framework in an embodied context. IFS supposes that, just like we participate in a myriad of external systems, we (ourselves) are a system of parts. In IFS therapy, we assume all parts are precious and have the best of intentions, but may have adopted roles or traits at times of our lives that no longer serve us. We befriend our parts with curiosity, share compassion for their struggles, and offer them new roles!

Narrative therapy suggests that we are constantly constructing stories about the things we experience, the world we live in, and who we are. However, sometimes, the stories we're telling become outdated, unhelpful, or actively harmful. I see therapy as a safe place to become conscious of the stories we're operating within, to try on new ideas, and maybe even rewrite the stories we've written or inherited about ourselves and the world.