letting things come forward in a way that's safe.... you're not just connecting to your own story, you begin to connect to the stories of your people, stories of your culture, the land...

The regular booking calendar is FULLY BOOKED for this period.

Regular (fortnightly, monthly) online individual supervision appointments are bookable in advance for the periods January - June and July-December. Current supervisees are given first option to rebook for the following six months My private practice days are Wednesdays and Thursdays with online appointments scheduled for 9am, 10.15am, 11.30am Canberra time. The discounted regular booking fee ($155 per 1hr, self-funded) is payable by EFT in advance or on the day.

Casual appointments may become available occasionally, bookable through the online calendar.

"two people (the supervisor and supervisee) collaborate or cooperate in an effort to understand what is going on within the counselling relationship and within the counsellor. This moves the emphasis from ‘doings things right or wrong’ … to ‘how is the counsellor being and how is that way of being contributing to the development of a counselling relationship based on the core conditions?’" (Mearns, 1999, p140)

We will reflect on practice issues with a focus on the relationship between therapist and client, and the impact of this relationship on the therapeutic process. While drawing on culturally responsive and trauma informed frameworks, we will attend to issues around the therapist ‘Self’, the dynamics of the therapeutic relationship, transference / countertransference, patterns of attachment, adaptive emotional learnings... 

I'm guided by the feminist psychotherapy supervisory model, particularly around issues of implicit bias, power, cultural humility and decolonisation.  I seek to (un)learn in an ongoing  committment to relational, anti-oppressive practice. You may wish to find out more about who and what influences and informs my practices by browsing Inspiration.

"An open, empathic and non-judgmental environment that is simultaneously questioning and supportive, promoting congruence and an internal locus of evaluation in the Supervisee.” (Merry, 1999)

It is my pleasure to collaborate with you in critically reflexive collaborative inquiry practices that sustains, nourishes and supports you as a person and as a practitioner.  You may prefer to meet in the 'here and now' of relational supervision or to structure each session around your priorities e.g.: 

• exploring  recurring or challenging issues arising in your practice; 
• discussing  career goals and professional development opportunities; 
• problem-solving around  changes and challenges in the work place / private practice; 
• transference / countertransference and the therapeutic 'Self';
• practical strategies to mitigate risks associated with working with emotional trauma, violence and abuse; and
• responding to funding or policy changes, legal, social and ethical issues etc.

I collaborate in respectful, strengths-focused partnerships with qualified and accredited practitioners of diverse disciplines including domestic violence counsellors, child protection officers, case managers, social workers, line managers, communications professionals and support staff.  Professional supervision and consultancy focusing on performance optimisation and mitigation of the risks of vicarious trauma and burnout is offered for lawyers, advocates and other practitioners who are delivering the National Redress Scheme in response to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

"I felt very lucky to have found Alison to support my team at my former workplace. Her expertise and experience shone through at our first meeting and it was a privilege to have worked with her. The feedback I received from the team was always positive and it was a pleasure witnessing them strengthen and improve professionally and personally." Tania Krasinski, Founder, Redwoods Work Collaborative (formerly, Coordinator Community Development, Randwick City Council)

Critically reflective practice is an essential element of effective, client-focused and ethical service provision while upholding wellbeing and mitigating the risks of vicarious trauma and burnout. Peer group supervision empowers sharing perspectives; giving and receiving support; transformational learning and developing care and cohesion around goals and strategic objectives. Your team's reflective activities may include:

• Sharing and celebrating individual and team achievements or milestones.
• Discussing, sharing and practicing meaningful self-care activities.
• Share learning around identified practice issues including risk assessment and mitigation.
• Discussing and exploring challenging incidents or issues with opportunities to access peer support and experience normalising, contextualising and validation.
• Exploring trauma-informed practice including the practical application of key principles e.g. safety, trustworthiness, collaboration, choice and empowerment.
• Discussing issues arising within the sector and/or wider community including changes in policy and legislation.