Dr. Thompson is a visionary child psychiatrist with over 30 years of experience helping children reclaim dignity and self-mastery. Drawing on deep clinical expertise, cutting-edge neuroscience, and fierce compassion, he builds healing communities where even the most distressed children and their families can thrive.
As Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer of our Accelerated Treatment Center, Dr. Thompson’s work centers on a simple but transformative truth: healing begins with safety and understanding. When children feel safe in their bodies and seen for who they are, they can begin to stabilize, trust, and partner in generous, connected ways. An international leader in residential treatment, Dr. Thompson is co-author of two influential books – Working with Relational Trauma in Children’s Residential Care and Polyvagal Theory and The Developing Child – and serves as Board Chair of the Polyvagal Institute.
His contributions have reshaped how care systems understand and respond to stress, emphasizing the nervous system’s innate drive for safety, connection, and purpose. In addition to his clinical and leadership work, Dr. Thompson teaches in medical schools, mentors clinicians, and leads international trainings. The lesson he most enjoys sharing? That relationships become sacred when nurtured with close attention, reverence, and wonder.
Outside of his professional life, Dr. Thompson values balance and connection. He finds joy in spending time with friends and family, writing, and pursuing outdoor activities such as biking. These personal passions reflect his belief in whole-person wellness and reinforce his commitment to living the principles he teaches.
