Services Offered
Talk therapy
I utilize my professional expertise and observational skills to help you explore your challenges and process your emotions through conversation. This approach is particularly effective for clients seeking to understand their feelings and gain insight into themselves. I often use talk therapy during the initial stages of therapy.
Focusing-Oriented Therapy
Focusing-Oriented Therapy is a somatic method that helps you connect with your body’s "felt senses," akin to engaging in conversations with various sensations within your body. I guide my clients in creating a compassionate space to engage with their emotions, bodily sensations, and inner imagery. This approach often allows for a deeper connection with the self, which can be more challenging to achieve through talk therapy alone.
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing Therapy (EMDR)
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a psychotherapy approach designed to help individuals heal from symptoms and emotional distress resulting from difficult life experiences. It is particularly effective for clients struggling with PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder).
About Me
Hello, I’m Mei Thompson, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Washington and a licensed professional counselor in the state of Texas. I offer telehealth therapy services across both states, and I’m here to support you on your journey toward healing and self-discovery. As a first-generation immigrant from China, I followed my dream to the United States to become a therapist. I’m fluent in English and Chinese, and I also understand Thai. My multicultural background, including a major in Thai Language and Literature and a year spent in Thailand, has given me profound insights into how culture shapes societies and individuals. I embrace the experience of living between cultures and am passionate about advocating for cultural awareness.
My Journey to Therapy
My path to becoming a therapist has been deeply personal. In China, I grew up in an environment where expressing emotions was often discouraged, and I witnessed firsthand the struggles of a parent with mental health issues. From a young age, I felt a strong sense of intuition that something was missing in my world. My teenage years were marked by a growing curiosity about psychology as I sought to understand myself and those around me. Discovering psychology books felt like coming home, and this exploration set me on a path of healing that eventually led me to this profession.
Personal Interests
Outside of work, I find peace and joy in nature. I especially love spending time by lakes, oceans, and rivers, and I practice yoga and meditation regularly. Reading about psychology and spirituality is a passion of mine. I share my home in Bellingham, WA, with my husband and our dog, enjoying the tranquility of a creek in our backyard. My dream is to one day create a sanctuary where people can experience holistic healing through therapy, nature, and animal connection.
My Therapeutic Philosophy
I truly believe that “shame dies when stories are told in a safe environment.” Creating a safe and genuine space for my clients is the cornerstone of my work. I bring my natural empathy and authenticity into every session, striving to help you uncover your inner strength and resilience. It’s incredibly fulfilling for me to see clients discover new potentials within themselves and find healing.
Areas of Specialization
I work with a diverse range of clients, addressing challenges such as anxiety, depression, grief, and trauma. My experience includes supporting individuals in domestic violence shelters, veterans with PTSD, and college students navigating life transitions. I feel a special connection to Highly Sensitive Persons (HSPs), as both my husband and I are HSPs. This shared experience allows me to deeply understand and address the unique challenges associated with high sensitivity. My goal is to help HSPs embrace their sensitivity with compassion, recognizing the beauty and strength it brings.
In addition to this, I incorporate dreamwork therapy, guiding clients in uncovering the deeper meanings within their dreams. I also specialize in working with issues like low self-esteem, attachment, and childhood trauma. Inner child work has proven to be particularly effective and rewarding in helping clients heal and grow. Moreover, I support individuals dealing with acculturation challenges, spiritual exploration, and relationship issues, with the aim of fostering self-awareness, empowerment, and the realization of their full potential.
My Approach to Therapy
I approach therapy as a journey we embark on together, with an emphasis on authenticity and connection. I use Gestalt therapy to help you connect with your true self, incorporating bodywork and mindfulness into our sessions. Clients often describe my style as warm, empathetic, engaging and intuitive. I create a gentle and accepting space where clients can access different parts of themselves and cultivate self-compassion. I work best with clients who are ready to commit to exploring themselves in a body-focused and intuitive way. I believe in the value of mid- to long-term therapy to address deeper issues, aiming for comprehensive healing rather than just symptom relief.
The Therapeutic Process
I view therapy as a natural, evolving process. At the beginning, we focus on building a strong, trusting relationship where you feel heard and accepted. As we move forward, deeper feelings, memories, and sensations may surface. In this next phase, we work on developing self-compassion and understanding your relationship with yourself, often using techniques like Focusing-Oriented Therapy and inner child work. Finally, we address past traumas with EMDR, aiming to clear the impact of these experiences and help you feel more at peace.
