What patients are saying
Overall rating
5.00
Average wait time
5.00
Bedside manner
4.00
About Dr. Michael Thompson
Clientele seen
Young adults (18-24)
Individuals
Adults (25-64)
Seniors (65+)
Identity
Gender
MaleSexuality
StraightFaith
NonreligiousEthnicity
White
Languages spoken
English
Getting to know Dr. Michael Thompson
Michael Guy Thompson, Ph.D. received his psychoanalytic training from R. D. Laing and associates at the Philadelphia Association in London and his PhD in Clinical Psychology from the Wright Institute in Berkeley. In 1988 he founded Free Association, Inc., a not-for-profit psychoanalytic salon and training program devoted to integrating existentialism and psychoanalysis, in San Francisco.
He subsequently joined the Psychoanalytic Institute of Northern California in San Francisco where he is currently a Personal and Supervising Analyst and Faculty member, and is a past President of the International Federation for Psychoanalytic Education (IFPE), and the Northern California Society for Psychoanalytic Psychology (NCSPP).
Dr. Thompson is the author of more than 100 journal articles, book chapters, and book reviews on existentialism, psychoanalysis and psychosis, as well as six books: THE DEATH OF DESIRE (1985), THE TRUTH ABOUT FREUD’S TECHNIQUE (1994), THE ETHIC OF HONESTY (2004), THE LEGACY OF R.D. LAING (2015), a revised and expanded edition of THE DEATH OF DESIRE: AN EXISTENTIAL STUDY IN SANITY AND MADNESS (2017, 2nd ed.), and most recently, ESSAYS IN EXISTENTIAL PSYCHOANALYSIS: ON THE PRIMACY OF AUTHENTICITY (2023). He is has lectured extensively throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Great Britain, Spain, and Australia over the past thirty years. Dr. Thompson is a member of varied psychoanalytic organizations, including the International Psychoanalytical Association (IPA), the College of Psychoanalysts (UK), the Philadelphia Association, London, and the Confederation of Independent Psychoanalytic Societies.
Dr. Thompson has been training psychoanalysts for more than forty years and in 2022 founded the NEW SCHOOL FOR EXISTENTIAL PSYCHOANALYSIS, a two-year virtual training program that trains candidates worldwide, culminating in a Certificate in Existential Psychoanalysis. He practices existential psychoanalysis and psychotherapy in San Francisco.
What should a new client know about working with you?
One of the things that haunts me about our all too human condition is how much pain we have to suffer in the ordinary conduct of our lives. Who do we turn to when we are in such despair that we don’t know where to turn? I believe all of us suffer from occasional feelings of fear, alienation, depression, confusion. Some suffer from these symptoms more than others, but we are all otherwise more or less the same in how vulnerable we can be. I try to connect with your deepest existential issues and help you get to know yourself intimately, in order to bring the passion and happiness than has been missing back into your life… or perhaps, for the first time?
For more than forty years I have worked with the full spectrum of distress and consternation that inspires many of us to seek psychotherapy. My approach is existential, which is a penetrating yet personal approach to therapy. I also work with borderline and psychotic symptoms, getting to the bottom of why a happy life of love and wonder is so elusive.
I am among the few psychoanalysts who integrate their work with the existential perspective, rooted in my training with R. D. Laing. I have published several books and numerous articles about my work over the past thirty years. You can access these publications as well as unpublished lectures under the PUBLICATIONS menu on my website.
What is your typical process for working with clients?
As an existential psychoanalyst, my style of working with clients is relaxed, informal, engaging, and personal. Psychodynamic approaches to psychotherapy are noted for the depth that they undertake to initiate with their patients and the time they are willing to take to get to the bottom of your current situation. You set the tone and content for each session, and I do my best to be a good listener and help you any way I can to feel safe as well as comfortable sharing your most intimate concerns with me.
Dr. Michael Thompson is not in-network with any insurances
It’s common for mental health providers to be out-of-network. Many insurance plans offer out-of-network coverage, so you may get partially reimbursed. Learn more
Out-of-pocket fees and assistance
Initial session: $300 for 50 minutes
Ongoing session: $300 for 50 minutes
More information on payments and coverage
I am not on any insurance panels, but I can provide you with a super bill/receipt at the end of each month that you in turn can submit to your insurance company for out of network remuneration. The percentage of my fee that your insurance company will reimburse to you will depend on how your policy was written, and whether you have a deductible that needs to be met before you begin to receive money from your insurance company. I suggest you reach out to your insurance company and ask them to explain your coverage for out of network remuneration before reaching out to me, if this is a concern to you.
Office location
Dr. Michael Thompson, PhD also offers online video visits for patients
Education and background
Practice names
Education and training
- Wright Institute, PhD in Clinical Psychology
Professional memberships
- American Psychological Association
Awards and publications
- The Ethic Of Honesty: The Fundamental Rule Of Psychoanalysis (2004)
- The Death Of Desire (1985)
- The Truth About Freud’s Technique (1994)
NPI number
1215495031
Patient reviews
All reviews have been submitted by patients after interacting with the practice.
Overall rating
5.00
Wait time
5.00
Bedside manner
4.00
Your trust is our top concern, so providers can't pay to alter or remove reviews. We also don't publish reviews that contain any private patient health information. Learn more here
1 review
Most relevant
More than 1 year agoInitials hidden
How soon can I make an appointment with Dr. Michael Thompson?
Generally, Dr. Michael Thompson has appointments available on Zocdoc within 1 week. You can see Dr. Thompson's earliest availability on Zocdoc and make an appointment online.
Is Dr. Michael Thompson accepting new patients?
Dr. Michael Thompson generally accepts new patients on Zocdoc. You can see Dr. Thompson's earliest availability on Zocdoc and schedule an appointment online.
Does Dr. Michael Thompson accept my insurance?
Choose your insurance plan to verify if Dr. Thompson is in-network.
Can I make an appointment with Dr. Michael Thompson online?
Yes, you can make an appointment online with Dr. Thompson using Zocdoc. It’s simple, secure, and free.
What practice does Dr. Michael Thompson work with?
Dr. Michael Thompson works with Michael Guy Thompson, PhD.
Where is Dr. Michael Thompson's office located?
Dr. Michael Thompson has 2 office locations in San Francisco, view full addresses on Dr. Thompson's profile.
What are common reasons for patients to see Dr. Michael Thompson?
Dr. Michael Thompson frequently sees patients for Depression, Pain Management Consultation, Psychotherapy, Psychotherapy Intake / Initial Visit, and Therapy. You can see other visit reasons for Dr. Michael Thompson on their profile.
What languages does Dr. Michael Thompson speak?
Dr. Michael Thompson speaks English.
How do patients rate Dr. Michael Thompson in reviews?
1 patients have reviewed Dr. Michael Thompson. The overall rating for this doctor is 5/5. They have a 4/5 rating for bedside manner and a 5/5 rating for wait time. You can read individual reviews and ratings on their profile.