Joyce Thompson - Wichita, Kansas

Owner

Wichita, Kansas

Community/Social Work, Consulting, Health & Beauty, Human Resources, Medical/Dental, Non-profit/Association, Presentations

In addition to providing therapy to our clients (current and future), we offer our services as speakers - both in your place of business or in professional groups around Wichita. We are able to speak on most any topic, from a mental health prospective.

Joyce A. Thompson is a Licensed Clinical Marriage & Family Therapist (LCMFT) licensed to practice independently within the State of Kansas. Joyce specializes in providing psychotherapy to individuals, couples, families, and groups. She maintains a group private practice in Wichita, Kansas; Emotional Journey, LLC. As the practice has grown, Joyce has brought on four other Licensed Marriage & Family Therapists (LMFTs).

Joyce is a 2007 graduate of Friends University with a Masters of Science (MSFT) degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. Joyce served her internship with the Wichita Regional Offices\' PTSD Clinic which is located on the grounds of the Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas. There she provided psychotherapy services to those veterans who had been diagnosed with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and their families. Many of these individuals had other diagnoses as well, which included depression, anxiety, Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID incurred from childhood abuse), partner relational problems, alcohol and/or drug addictions, and other problems and disorders.

Joyce works with a broad spectrum of clients. Her strengths as a clinician are most evident while working with those who struggle with issues related to marital/relationship difficulties, personal growth issues, relationship/attachment difficulties, trauma - whether incurred from wartime and/or military service, domestic abuse, and/or childhood abuse, with those struggling to communicate more effectively with their partner and other family members, and with those suffering from a loss and/or grief.

Joyce utilizes an integrative approach to therapy which involves the use of Attachment Theory, Narrative Therapy, and Emotionally Focused Therapy, along with Cognitive/Behavioral techniques. In addition, she places an emphasis upon intergenerational patterns which might be causing difficulty for her clients and their families. Her integrative treatment approach is to provide support and practical feedback to help clients resolve current problems and/or long-standing patterns. She incorporates a blend of conventional and alternatives approaches, drawing upon a variety of styles and techniques to incorporate what will be most helpful for each client. With sensitivity and compassion, she works with each client to help them build upon their strengths and to identify and achieve their life goals.
Joyce overcame a very difficult past of her own, after finding a therapist skilled in trauma and attachment difficulties that could help her to resolve long-standing abuse issues. Eventually she was confident enough to attend college, and to pursue her dream of becoming a therapist. Joyce doesn\'t just offer therapy from an academic perspective. Instead, she adds that knowledge to her own personal experiences to help guide her along the way. Everyone\'s experience is different, but those who have struggled with childhood abuse issues have many similarities in how they have been impacted. Many years ago, Joyce saw a sign at a corner gas station. It read, \"If you know the way, show it to others\". Somehow, Joyce knew that sign was meant for her, although she had no idea of how, what, where, when, or why! When she opened her practice in 2007, she knew that slogan was meant to be a part of her logo and it is, still to this day!

Education:
Friends University - Wichita, KS
M.S. Degree in Marriage & Family Therapy
Graduated with highest honors 2007

Friends University - Wichita, KS
B.S. Degree in Organizational Management and Leadership
Graduated with honors - 2005

Hutchinson Community College - Hutchinson, KS
A.A. Degree
Graduated with honors - 2004
Licenses: LCMFT (Kansas licensure - Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist)

Additional/Specialized Training:
KC Play Therapy Institute: Sandtrays in Play Therapy Training, Friends University, Wichita, KS, Fall 2010
Kansas Association of Marriage and Family Therapy Conference, Overland Park, Kansas, Spring 2010
Emotional Eating: Practical Techniques to Help Your Clients Win the Battle, April 2009
Understanding Personality Disorders, April 2009
Advanced Clinical Hypnotherapy - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, November 2008
Intermediate level - Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) - Longmont, Colorado, October 2008
Introduction level - Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) - Longmont, Colorado, September 2008
Diagnosis & Treatment of PTSD in Returning Veterans by Dr. Jeremy Crosby, Psy.D., September 2008
Introduction to Clinical Hypnotherapy - Andover, Kansas, August 2008
Kansas Association of Marriage and Family Therapy Conference, Kansas City, Kansas, Spring 2007
Returning Veterans Conference, Topeka, Kansas, May 2007
13-month internship with the Wichita Regional Offices\' PTSD Clinic which is located on the grounds of the Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas (training focused upon a wide variety of mental and emotional illnesses, in addition to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It included work with individuals (ranging from 14 to 83 years of age), couples, families, and groups). April 2006 - May 2007.
Kansas Association of Marriage and Family Therapy Conference, Overland Park, Kansas, Spring 2006
Group Process in Clinical Practice 1 Workshop, Friends University, Wichita, Kansas, 2006
Play Therapy Workshop held by Angie Moore, LCMFT, Friends University, Wichita, Kansas 2006
Couple Communication - Talking/Listening Together, Friends University, Wichita, Kansas 2006
American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy Conference, Austin, Texas - October 2006
American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy Conference, Kansas City, Missouri, October 2005.

Professional Activities/Memberships:
American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT - Clinical member)
Kansas Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (KAMFT)
The International Society for the Study of Trauma & Dissociation (ISSTD)
Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA)
Wichita Area Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
Wichita Independent Business Association (WIBA)
Wichita Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
Valley Center Chamber of Commerce
Haysville Chamber of Commerce
Accredited by the Better Business Bureau

Lifetime Memberships:
Delta Kappa Marriage & Family Therapy Honor Society
Psi Chi Psychology Honor Society
Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society