
About Me
I'm a licensed clinical psychologist in California (PSY 34690) specializing in individual and couple therapy for adults. I became a psychologist because I genuinely believe therapy can drastically improve people's lives for the better. My work is focused on building a warm, authentic, and connected relationship that serves as a basis to help you move toward a life filled with purpose. Everyone's definition of a meaningful life is different, but I see our work in therapy as figuring out what really matters to you and beginning to take steps toward it.
I am passionate about providing evidence-based therapies, and including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), all of which are supported by research as effective interventions for a wide variety of presenting concerns. In our sessions, I will offer support around your difficulties as well as provide concrete suggestions and skills to help you move toward the life you want. When working with couples, I use Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy (IBCT) to help you more effectively share your perspective with your partner, understand their perspective, and communicate together in order to address challenges in your relationship and foster an enhanced sense of connection and well-being.
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I also have expertise in working with adults with a history of trauma, including those who meet criteria for PTSD. I've received comprehensive training in both Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Prolonged Exposure (PE), and I appreciate the opportunity to help anyone who has struggled with traumatic memories and painful self-judgments move forward with an increased sense of engagement in life.
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In addition to my work as a therapist, I'm passionate about helping mental health providers and trainees across disciplines maximize their ability to implement high-quality cognitive behavioral therapies and provide clinical supervision. Prior to opening my practice, I worked at the University of Tennessee, where I was a Clinical Associate Professor of Psychology and the Associate Director of the UT Psychological Clinic. In that position, I provided clinical training and supervision to graduate students in clinical and counseling psychology, social work, and mental health counseling, including teaching classes on clinical supervision and consultation, cognitive behavioral therapies, and adult psychopathology. I missed the culture (and weather!) of Southern California, so I returned to Los Angeles in 2023, where I continue to engage in clinical training and supervision, including offering workshops and one-on-one consultation as well as conducting relevant research.
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My office is located in Santa Monica, and I provide telehealth therapy across California.
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In my free time, I love to read, spend time outdoors, and listen to live music.
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Education and Training
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BA in Psychology, Yale University
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MA in Clinical Psychology, UCLA
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PhD in Clinical Psychology, UCLA
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APA-Accredited Clinical Internship, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA
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APA-Accredited Postdoctoral Fellowship in Trauma Recovery, Durham VA Health Care System, Durham, NC
Selected Recent Publications
Hersh, J., Thompson, S. M., Farmer, R., & Keenan-Miller, D. (2024). Technology in psychology graduate training clinics: Past, present, and future. Journal of Technology in Behavioral Science, 9, 122-130. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41347-023-00370-x
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Sears, M. S., & Thompson, S. M. (2024). Dialectical behavior therapy skills groups: Supporting trauma-focused treatment. In J. I Ruzek, M. M. Yalch, & K. M. Burkman (Eds.), Group approaches to treating traumatic stress: A clinical handbook (pp.161-174). Guilford Press.
+Thompson, S. M., +Keenan-Miller, D., Dunn, D., Hersh, J., Saules, K. K., Graham, S. R., Bell, D. J., Hames, J. L., Wray, A., Hiraoka, R., Heller, M. B., Taber-Thomas, S. M., Taylor, M. J., Hawkins II, R. C., Schacht, R. L., Liu, N. H., Schwartz, J. L., & Akey, E. H. (2023). Preferences for and acceptability of telesupervision among health service psychology trainees. Training and Education in Professional Psychology, 17(3), 221–230. https://doi.org/10.1037/tep0000415
Thompson, S. M. (2022). From trainee to trainer: Becoming a training clinic director or associate director as
an early career psychologist. APTC Bulletin: Practicum Education & Training, Winter/Spring 2022, 9-11.
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Hames, J. L., Bell, D. J., Perez-Lima, L. M, Holm-Denoma, J. M., Rooney, T., Charles, N. E., Thompson, S.M., Mehlenbeck, R. S., Tawfik, S. H., Fondacaro, K. M., Simmons, K. T., & Hoersting, R. C. (2020). Navigating uncharted waters: Considerations for training clinics in the rapid transition to telepsychology and telesupervision during COVID-19. Journal of Psychotherapy Integration, 30(2), 348-365. https://doi.org/10.1037/int0000224
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About Snapdragon
I believe that increasing access to effective, evidence-based therapy in a fragmented US health care system not only requires providing such care myself, but facilitating opportunities for other providers to receive high quality training and supervision. Everyone deserves good therapy. I started Snapdragon not only to fulfill my passion around providing high quality therapy to my own clients, but also to create opportunities for fellow therapists and therapists-in-training across mental health disciplines to hone their skills. I have benefitted so much from my training as a clinical scientist in evidence-based cognitive behavioral therapies and clinical supervision, and I love passing that knowledge along to others.
