Who is The Listening Therapist?

Hi everyone.  

I'm Ben and I am the face behind The Listening Therapist.  I am a Mental Health Practioner and am a Forensic Psychologist in Training. I have heard people express that they have never felt believed or listened to by a therapist before.  As someone who experiences mental health issues myself, I have sadly experienced this first hand. This has empowered me to be able to empathise and see my clients emotional pain in new ways. Apart from being an expert by experience in psychology, its is important to know that I have received the required training.

From January 2015 to June 2018 I studied for my Batchelors of Science with Honours (BSc (Hons)) through The Open University.  Then between 2021 and 2023, I completed my Master of Science (MSc) at Coventry University - both within the field of Forensic Psychology.  I enjoy regularly take part in professional development training to keep myself abreast of new developments.  These clinical and forensic training courses have covered topics such as violence risk assessments (HCR-20v3 & VRISK10), psychiatric diagnostics for both the clinical and personality disordered populations (SCID-CV & PD), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Pain, Anxiety in adults and children/young people, Depression, Trauma, Neurodivergence and general clinical presentations (CBT-P, CBT-T & CBT), domestic violence prevention, reduction risk assessments (DASH), Court report writing and assessments in Civil & Family Court, PREVENT, terrorism risk assessments - domestic and international, complex negotiation skills and advanced safeguarding for children and adults.  I am also qualified in mentoring those who are 16+ years of age in further and higher education who are neurodivergent, disabled, leaving care or have a complex mental illness.

It has been an honour to assist people who are survivors of domestic violence & rape, carers, disabled individuals, hate crime victims & vulnerable court witnesses (prosecution & defence) and litigants (a user of the courts) who are unable to secure a legal representative within the criminal, family and civil courts.  I have experience in treating those with PTSD & C-PTSD, schizophrenia, personality, depressive and anxiety based disorders.  I do not discriminate against any client and support everyone in a equitable way no matter what their sex, age, beliefs, sexual orientation, race, disabilities, religion or gender may be.  In a world so full of hate, never has it been more important than now to reach out to those around us that are in need of care.  Although our NHS in the UK is a god send, mental health provision is underfunded to a deplorable level.  Mental wellbeing has become something only available for those who can afford to pay for private healthcare.

That's why I have designed this blog.  It will provide up to date and relevant information on psychological wellbeing for FREE!  I also offer discounted trauma informed psychological therapeutic support via online video conferencing or telephone therapy sessions that can be adapted to suit your needs at a time that is appropriate for you and your busy lives. I hold professional indemnity insurance and am registered with the British Psychological Society.

If you require a service that I do not offer, I will endeavour to support you whilst you wait to see either local services to you no matter where you are in the world or refer you to another health care professional that offers the appropriate therapy.  Please feel free to contact me via my email at benjamin.thompson@thelisteningtherapist.co.uk .  All my articles, book reviews etc., are written jargon free unless medical or scientific terms are needed, then they will be explained in simple and easy to understand English.  If you have an accessibility issue and find that you can not read the text or picture information please reach out to me. ​

Please don't feel alone or not listened to - you will always be listened to and cared for above all else at The Listening Therapist.  Your welfare and emotional wellbeing is extremely important to me.  So feel free to reach out via the links below.  I look forward to meeting you in due course.

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Ben  

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The Listening Therapist 

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