About Hal
Hal Thompson is a counsellor who offers calm, straightforward support for people battling stress and anxiety. He meets people where they are and focuses on practical steps to reduce overwhelm. Many clients come with worries about addiction, trauma, or low self-esteem and he aims to make those concerns easier to talk about.
Hal trained in psychodynamic counselling and psychotherapy, holding a Master’s degree from Birkbeck, University of London. He also has a BA in psychology from the University of Sussex and is a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, BACP.
Background and approach
In sessions Hal explores how past experiences and coping habits affect life now. He uses a psychodynamic core to notice patterns that often operate outside awareness. He also draws on elements of cognitive behavioural therapy and internal family systems when these approaches seem useful and relevant.
Hal describes his way of working as curious and compassionate. Conversations are paced to suit the person in front of him, with room to name difficult emotions and test new ways of responding. The aim is to uncover what keeps someone stuck and to try manageable alternatives.
People seeking help for panic, obsessive thoughts, obsessive compulsive behaviours, or social anxiety may find the mix of exploring past patterns and trying focused techniques helpful. Hal also supports those dealing with addiction, dissociation, guilt, shame, and issues tied to prejudice or discrimination. Sessions combine listening with practical steps and reflection.
He encourages collaboration on goals and on how therapy will proceed, so each plan fits the person’s life and needs.
How therapeutic methods translate to online therapy
Psychodynamic work focuses on the patterns that run beneath everyday reactions. Online sessions give time to notice recurring themes, link them back to earlier experiences, and try out new ways of responding in real life. This can help with anxiety, panic and feelings of being stuck.Cognitive behavioural techniques are short, practical tools to change unhelpful thinking and behaviour. These can include simple experiments, breathing or grounding exercises, and small behaviour changes to reduce panic or obsessive thinking. They work well in video or phone sessions where homework and follow-up can be set between meetings.
Finding the right approach is part of the process and happens together. The therapist will discuss goals, test different ways of working, and adapt methods to fit a person’s needs and preferences. That collaborative decision-making helps shape a plan that feels workable.
Online therapy offers flexibility for people juggling work, family and travel. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation, phone sessions use less bandwidth, live chat supports shorter check-ins, and text messaging lets people reflect in writing. These options make it easier to keep continuity of care and to fit sessions into a busy life.
Questions people ask
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What this therapist works with
Also listed
- Experience
- 3 years
- Licensed
- Languages
- English
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