Therapeutic Approach
Alison practices a compassionate, inquisitive and non-judgemental attitude in her approach, tailoring interventions to your needs with creativity as well as a commitment to evidence-based practices.
With a psychodynamic background, Alison sees therapy as an honest journey reflecting and gaining insight into our lives so that we can cultivate curiosity, openness and resilience to live to our full potential.
Having lived and worked in different countries, Alison believes that relationships and making deep connections are the most important aspects of our lives and in our growth, and this includes the relationship and connection we have with ourselves. She values a collaborative approach to explore and gently challenge unhelpful narratives, thought patterns and behaviour to support the individual in achieving a more vibrant, supported sense of self when navigating difficult times of our lives. To achieve this, she draws on a range of approaches, including:
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Psychodynamic Therapy
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Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
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Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
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Trauma Informed Treatment
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a referral to see a psychologist?
You would not need a referral to start seeing a psychologist if you are happy to pay for the full sessions out of pocket and there are no limitations to how many sessions you can have.
You could also claim a portion through your private health fund, please check with your private health provider prior to commencing to see how many sessions you are eligible for under your purchased cover.
However, if you would like to claim rebates through Medicare ($93.35 per session), you will need to see your GP and obtain a referral called a Mental Health Care Plan, allowing you to claim Medicare rebates up to 10 sessions a year.
How does counselling / therapy work?
Sessions are 50 minutes long. The initial session generally covers what brought you to therapy, your expectations or therapeutic goals and relevant background for a holistic understanding of you as a person.
You are not expected to prepare anything for the sessions, but you are welcome to! Most find it helpful to have a think or write down the topics you would like to explore prior to the session as it helps guide the discussion to make sense of your issues.
There is no obligation to book in the next session and the intervals between session are dependent on your needs and availabilities. Typically, sessions every 2-3 weeks allow a good amount of time for reflections and thoughts to crystallise in-between.
Alison understands that it could be nerve-racking and challenging to start therapy with someone you do not know. You are invited to book in a free 15-minute phone call prior to booking any sessions to see if Alison's style, approach and expertise fit your needs.
Where and how do I have my sessions with you?
In protection of everyone due to the rapid spread of the Covid-19 Variants and the alignment with Medicare's announcement to make telehealth psychological sessions permanent to allow practitioners to provide services Australia wide, Alison is mainly conducting sessions via telephone / video consultation.
Alison is based in Melbourne and can also offer in-person appointments at her office located just south of Melbourne CBD. Since Alison's face to face appointment spots are limited, you are encouraged to include your preferred times / days in your enquiry to see if your schedules can align.
How much does a session cost?
The total cost of a session is $190 for telehealth sessions, $210 for in-person sessions.
Fees are payable at the end of each session.
Rebates
If you are referred by your doctor and have a Mental Health Care Plan under Medicare, you are entitled to a rebate of $93.35 per session.
You may also be eligible for a rebate from your Private Health Care Fund. You will need to check with the level of your cover and the associated rebate with your individual fund.
Cancellation Policy
24 hours notice is required to cancel an appointment. A 50% No Show / Late Cancellation Fee will apply if less than 24 hours notification is given. Medicare rebates do not apply to any cancellations of appointments.