Hello, I’m Alison Dawes.
I am a skilled and compassionate therapist, always tailoring my approach to meet the needs of my clients and the issues they bring. I believe that when people feel safe and understood, real and sustainable change is possible. I provide a counselling space that is confidential, non-judgemental and moves at a pace that is right for the client.
I have worked as a psychologist and psychotherapist over the past 20 years in Sydney, Melbourne and the Blue Mountains. This has included working with individuals, couples, foster carers, and young people and their families in a range of settings.
The following are some of the benefits clients have experienced from attending counselling with me:
I have provided training over a number of years in the following areas:
Foster Care: including trauma and child development, parenting children with challenging behaviours and self-care for carers.
Others areas of training include, teenagers and mental health for parents, stress management for health workers, body image and harm minimisation for adolescents in schools.
Along with my experience in private practice, I have worked with Sydney Women’s Counselling Centre, City of Sydney Council Community Centres, Melbourne University Student Support, Barnardos Australia (foster care) and South Sydney Health Promotion Unit. Within these roles I have provided counselling, training, group work, advocacy and health education.
I have completed a Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) and a Master of Applied Psychology, a Graduate Diploma in Psychotherapy and a Post Graduate Diploma in Health Education. I have also completed additional training in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Trauma Informed Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment therapy (ACT) and Mindfulness to support clients in achieving positive therapeutic and relationship outcomes.