Title: Professional Marriage & Family Therapist, Executive Director, Clinical Supervisor

Company: The Growing Place

Location: Chico, Calif.

Becoming a therapist has been a lifelong dream for Judith Thompson, current clinical supervisor and executive director of The Growing Place, where she fosters a safe space for people who feel trapped and wounded. She decided to finally pursue this dream 26 years ago after she lost her youngest son to a car accident. Now serving with The Growing Place – a non-profit counseling center located in Chico, California – Ms. Thompson provides her local community with countless resources for psychotherapy, life coaching, and mental health education.

At age 50, Ms. Thompson embarked on her journey to higher education and vocational fulfillment, and ultimately achieved a master’s degree in counseling psychology from the California State University at Chico. Ms. Thompson also earned a bachelor’s degree, certification as a licensed marriage and family therapist and a ministry license, qualifying her for expert work in the fields of counseling and outreach. Ms. Thompson considers her work with The Growing Place to be her greatest accomplishment. Through her organization, she aspires to guide those struggling with grief and other concerns through trusting relationships with highly-competent therapists and life coaches.

Ms. Thompson takes pride in her ability to train and mentor staff.  Throughout her work-week, she supervises the marriage and family interns and trainees, life coaches, para-professional counselors and mentors of the organization. Drawing upon her charitable nature, she hopes in the future to expand The Growing Place to further help those experiencing hard times. Her compassionate and expert work in the field of therapy has been recognized by the National Association of Professional Women, who named her Woman of the Year in 2011. When she isn’t working, Ms. Thompson likes to garden and spend time with her 10 grandchildren.