Jeff Thompson, PhD

  • Adjunct Associate Research Scientist in the Department of Psychiatry
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Overview

Jeff Thompson, PhD, is a research psychologist and scientist working in translational research – conducting research for the purpose of developing evidence-based and practical interventions, strategies, and practices for people to enhance their resilience; support their ability to manage crises, conflicts, and disputes; and prevent suicide.

Dr. Thompson is part of the Psychiatry Department at Columbia University Irving Medical Center working in the Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Depression as well as Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology Division. He recently retired from the New York City Police Department (NYPD) after serving for more than 20 years including as a detective, their first-ever mental health and wellness coordinator, and as a hostage negotiator.

Academic Appointments

  • Adjunct Associate Research Scientist in the Department of Psychiatry

Research

Dr. Thompson’s research, work, and consulting includes with government agencies across the world including the FBI, NYPD, FDNY, New Zealand Police, NASA, the Canadian Border Service Agency, as well as with medical students and professionals, business executives, and others. Dr. Thompson has been published in multiple research journals and book chapters, he writes for PsychologyToday.com, and he published a book on resilience, warr;or21: A 21-Day Practice for Resilience and Mental Health.

Selected Publications

  1. Thompson, J. (2023). Police wellbeing interventions: Utilizing awe narratives to promote resilience. Journal of Community Safety and Well-Being, 8(4), 197–204.
    https://doi.org/10.35502/jcswb.337 
  2. Thompson, J. (2023). NASA resilience and leadership: Examining the phenomenon of awe. Frontiers in Psychology/Positive Psychology.
    https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1158437/abstract   
  3. Thompson, J. (2023). Narrative Health: Examining the relationship between the phenomenon of awe and resilience and well-being. Journal of Community Safety and Well-Being, 8(2), 85–98. https://doi.org/10.35502/jcswb.321 
  4. Thompson, J. & Jensen, E. (2023). Hostage negotiator resilience: A phenomenological study of awe. Frontiers in Psychology/Clinical Settings. 
    https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1122447/full  
  5. Tam-Seto, L., & Thompson, J. (2023). Resetting and informing a new baseline for wellness in policing. Journal of Community Safety and Well-Being, 8(Suppl 1), S2–S3.
    https://doi.org/10.35502/jcswb.309  
  6. Thompson, J. (2022). Enhancing resilience: An interpretative phenomenological analysis of The Awe Project. Journal of Community Safety and Well-Being, 7(3), 93-110.
    https://doi.org/10.35502/jcswb.265  
  7. Thompson, J., Grubb, A.R., Ebner, N., Chirico, A., & Pizzolante, M. (2022). Increasing crisis hostage negotiator effectiveness: Embracing awe and other resilience practices. Cardozo Journal of Conflict Resolution, 23(3), 615-685.
    https://static1.squarespace.com/static/60a5863870f56068b0f097cd/t/62c5bb989716c4185529716a/1657125784611/CAC309_crop.pdf  
  8. Thompson, J. (2022). Awe: Helping leaders address modern policing problems. Journal of Community Safety and Well-Being, 7(2), 53-58.
    https://doi.org/10.35502/jcswb.239  
  9. Thompson, J. (2022).Awe narratives: A mindfulness practice to enhance resilience & wellbeing. Frontiers in Psychology/Positive Psychology.
    https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.840944/abstract  
  10. Papazoglou, K., Kamkar, K., & Thompson, J. (2021). Law enforcement wellness: Promoting the “good” during the “bad” and “ugly”. Journal of Community Safety and Well-Being, 6(4), 168-173. https://doi.org/10.35502/jcswb.209  
  11. Thompson, J., & Drew, J.M. (2020). Warr;or21: A 21-day program to enhance first responder resilience and mental health. Frontiers in Psychology. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.02078  
  12. Thompson, J. (2020). Enhancing resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic: A thematic analysis and evaluation of the warr;or21 program. Journal of Community Safety and Well-Being, 5(2), 51-56. https://doi.org/10.35502/jcswb.134  
  13. Johnson, K.E., Thompson, J., Hall, J.A., & Meyer, C. (2017). Crisis (hostage) negotiators weigh in: The skills, behaviors, and qualities that characterize an expert crisis negotiator, Police Practice and Research, 19:5, 472-489.
    https://doi.org/10.1080/15614263.2017.1419131