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 also provides Heart-Centered Hypnotherapy to individuals. She maintains a group private practice in Wichita, Kansas; Emotional Journey, LLC.As the practice has grown, Joyce has brought on other Licensed Marriage & Family Therapists (LMFTs) to help in meeting the needs of our clients.

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 whom 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:

• Enrolled in Heart-Centered Hypnotherapy; Advanced Training: The 2-year Internship. The Wellness Institute, Seattle, Washington
• Heart-Centered Hypnotherapy 6-day Training; Kansas City, MO, Fall 2011
• 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. 

 

Lifetime Memberships:

Delta Kappa Marriage & Family Therapy Honor Society

Psi Chi Psychology Honor Society

Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society