Aly Thompson, LMFT
Qualifications
Certificate of Completion- Narrative Focused Trauma Care Levels 1 & 2 (Clinical Track), and Externship at The Allender Center
Certificate of Completion- Interpersonal Neurobiology at The Mindsight Institute with Dr. Dan Siegel
Master of Science in Marital and Family Therapy- Fuller School of Psychology
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology; Minors in Theater, and Religion- Vanguard University of Southern California
California Board of Behavioral Sciences- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT #107410)
CAMFT California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists Member
Certified Medical Family Therapist
Certified Level 2 Restoration Therapist
Experience
I have a diverse clinical background working with a variety of clients seeking support through a broad spectrum of psychological, medical, academic, spiritual, and social challenges. Today, my work with individuals is highly informed by the extensive training I’ve completed at The Allender Center for processing trauma through story telling. Additionally, I have experience that spans from working as a school counselor, to working individually in private practice settings with children, adolescents, adults, and couples, to participating on an interdisciplinary team within intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization psychiatric facilities for severely mentally ill adult and geriatric patients.
As a therapist and coach, I am committed to creating space for individuals of a marginalized identity. As a majority culture individual, I strive toward my own growth in this area by participating in regular trainings devoted to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and engaging in literature written by marginalized identifying authors.
Who I am
For as long as I can remember, I have always been a storyteller. And it was in the telling of stories that I experienced life, joy, and even rest. So much so that I pursued musical theater in college at Vanguard University of Southern California to tell stories of renowned playwrights from the stage. But after undergoing an unsuccessful surgery on my vocal cords, and the loss of my identity as a performer, I began to experience frequent panic attacks, and relentless insomnia. I felt extremely out of control and alone. But one day, I found myself sitting at the campus counseling center, longing to tell my own story, and for my voice to be heard once again. Maybe you’ve had an experience that left you feeling like this, too.
It took time for me to trust my own therapist. Though I longed desperately for relief and care, I was scared. I kept a tight grip on what I knew, and hid behind my defenses. But with time, a lot of gentleness and kindness, and curiosity and wondering, safety had been built, and I finally allowed for my face to be seen, my voice to be heard, and my story to be held by another. That was the moment I knew I wanted to be a therapist. I felt hope beginning to return to me, and could see that there was more for me than staying stuck under what felt like deep clouds of perpetual darkness. The light was starting to peak through, and it quickly became my desire, as a result, to be a witness of stories on behalf of others, in the same way my own story was witnessed. It is my hope that I could offer to you what was offered to me- restoration of light and life.
So, after graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, with minors in Theater and Religion, I found myself at Fuller School of Psychology where I received a Master of Science in Marital and Family Therapy. At Fuller, I grew to understand that stories take into account more than just a vague character description like the ones from the plays and musicals I had performed in. My own story cannot be confined to the few lines of a character description. And yours can’t either. During my three years of training in Narrative Focused Trauma Care at The Allender Center, I learned that the reality is that when we heal in one area of our lives, it will inevitably ask us to explore another. This process will follow us for the rest of our lives. So, we must remember that within the pages of each of our stories is a display of our unique and holistic makeup. This includes the psychological, biological, physiological, social, and spiritual distinctions that formulate the very DNA of our stories and our voices; of your story and your voice.
More and more, I began to truly understand these pieces of DNA within me. For instance, I found the courage to begin exploring and telling the story of my body; of my chronic pain and illness. With support, I was able to explore trauma, and make sense of how I came to believe who I am in the world, and who I am in my relationships. Further, I garnered the ability to recognize that spiritual harm and abuse had occurred within my religious contexts, and I desired freedom from the violations that had taken place there. But I couldn’t do all of this alone. I am still in my own process, and work weekly with my own therapist towards continuing to restore the truth. I believe that I can only go as far with my clients into their stories as I am willing to go into my own. You deserve to be witnessed and supported by a therapist who knows personally how it feels to be on the journey of healing through therapy.
We were created for relationship, and it is within relationship that we get to bear witness to one another’s stories. My desire is to provide a safe counseling space and relationship to engage all the raw and complex pieces of your story. Together, we can ground you and your body back to a place of rest, and the fullness of life you are meant to live. I look forward to joining you on this journey to find your voice, and write a new story.