Maxine Thompson

I am an Art Integrative Therapist and have been in private practice since 2015. I work with individuals and groups holistically using verbal and non-verbal processes to meet the unique needs of each client.  My counselling approach is to work relationally, using seven art forms (including visual art, puppetry, drama, body work, clay, sand tray and prose) within an integrative theoretical frame, which draws upon Attachment Theory, Object Relations, Gestalt and Transactional Analysis (TA).  I support clients exploring emotional regulation, identity, trauma, relational patterns, and personal growth through embodied and creative expression. I am skilled at facilitating a non-judgmental and collaborative therapeutic space.

I support clients with a range of issues, including anxiety, addiction, depression, trauma, attachment issues, self-esteem, identity, and eating disorders. I customise care to each person’s needs to provide an effective, compassionate support.

Additionally, I am qualified as an Attachment Focused Therapist (AFT), trained through Barnadoes and work with Adopters and Adoptees in relation to abandonment issues and trauma they have encountered in their lives.  

I am a qualified social worker with 20 years of frontline practice in child protection/court work and child in need cases. I possess extensive expertise in court proceedings, risk analysis, and supporting professionals in clearly and confidently communicating safeguarding processes to parents. I am particularly adept at bridging cultural gaps, understanding that some families may find the westernised approach to parenting challenging to grasp. My goal is to serve as a mediator between social care sectors and families, ensuring that cultural differences are respected and understood.