A little about me:
After growing up mainly in the Northwest, I now live in North Idaho and love the variety here: mountains, rivers, lakes, waterfalls, and even the wildly unpredictable seasons (I'm pretty sure that we have more than four..). It makes my favorite activities –cycling, canoeing, clambering– that much more rewarding, and I feel very fortunate to grow my family here.
I earned my bachelor's degree in psychology (B.S.) from the University of Idaho, my master's degree in social work (MSW) from Boise State University, my initial license (LMSW), and finally my current credentials: Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the state of Idaho. I've worked as an AmeriCorps volunteer serving rural schools in Washington state, a wilderness counselor for troubled teens in North Carolina, a mentor for students in several therapeutic residential programs, and a variety of other things.
I believe that my values of communicating in empathy, relating as equals, educating with a sense of curiosity & challenging from a place of respect all harmonize in an approach that increases self-understanding, encourages personal growth, and opens possibilities for people to create the life they want. Because everyone has their own unique way of relating to themselves and the world around them, individual people and cases call for personalized treatment based on their own needs.
With this in mind, I lean toward strengths-based, existential, and cognitive theories of treatment, and use CBT, psychoeducation, and narrative techniques to help people challenge & change their own self-defeating thoughts & assumptions, unwanted emotions, and destructive patterns. I also often use play therapy exercises, role-playing, gentle humor, relaxation techniques, written works & other media sources, journaling & artwork as appropriate & helpful. I'm often reminded of the adage: "Everyone you meet is mid-journey," and this very much applies to me as well.
-Si Thompson, LCSW
Additional areas of focus: LGBT, Trauma and abuse, Grief, Intimacy-related issues, Sleeping disorders, Anger management, Self esteem, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Depression, Coping with life changes, Compassion fatigue, Abandonment, Adoption and foster care, Aging and geriatric issues, Autism and Asperger Syndrome, Blended family issues, Cancer, Caregiver issues and stress, Codependency, Commitment issues, Communication problems, Control issues, Coping with natural or human-caused disaster, Divorce and separation, Emptiness, Family of origin issues, Family problems, Fatherhood issues, First responder issues, Forgiveness, Guilt and shame, Hearing impaired, Hoarding, Hospice and end-of-life counseling, Impulsivity, Infidelity, Isolation / loneliness, Jealousy, Life purpose, Men's issues, Midlife crisis, Money and financial issues, Mood disorders, Multicultural concerns, Panic disorder and panic attacks, Phobias, Polyamory / non-monogamous relationships, Post-traumatic stress, Prejudice and discrimination, Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling), Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Self-love, Sexual dysfunction, Sexuality, Smoking / vaping cessation, Social anxiety and phobia, Visually impaired, Women's issues, Workplace issues, Young adult issues
Clinical approaches: Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Existential Therapy, Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy
ID LCSW LCSW-35216
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Si Thompson. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
A wonderful counselor and very responsive. Offers guidance and listens well. Very easy to work with.
Written on Feb 17, 2023 after therapy with Si for 2 years and 9 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, parenting issues, and self esteem
Si not only listens, but helps you uncover solutions for yourself. He doesn’t tell you what to do but questions how you approach things. He is gentle and compassionate and makes you feel heard. He is great therapist and and amazing person!
Written on Sep 08, 2022 after therapy with Si for 9 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, parenting issues, self esteem, coping with life changes, compassion fatigue, and adhd
Si's previous experience in wilderness therapy is especially helpful for me as that is my current work.
Written on Mar 09, 2022 after therapy with Si for 9 months on issues concerning relationship issues, grief, and self esteem
Si is great. He keeps things comfortable and fluid. You can tell he cares about his job and clients.
Written on Jul 14, 2021 after therapy with Si for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, sleeping disorders, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, coping with life changes, and compassion fatigue
Si Thompson is very understanding and respectful when it come to my sessions with him. I highly recommend him as a great therapist to help you grow and better understand what kind of situation that you’re in so that you can help yourself in the most healthy way possible
Written on Apr 28, 2021 after therapy with Si for 1 month
He's been very direct and willing to get to work, I look forward to working with him
Written on Apr 06, 2021 after therapy with Si for 2 weeks