Therapy
Depression & Anxiety
Depression, fear, and anxiety are some of the most common and uncomfortable emotions that we can experience at some point in our lives. Through counselling and treatment, we are able to help you recover motivation, perspective, and joy that you once had in your life.
Anxiety can manifest itself in various forms, often uncomfortable physical sensations. Counselling can teach you coping mechanisms to counter and reduce these unpleasant feelings, restoring the balance you once had.
Trauma & PTSD
Many individuals can experience symptoms associated with painful and traumatic circumstances. Anxiety, fear, and hopelessness are a few emotions that can linger post traumatic events. We can help you overcome these symptoms and guide you through the process of grief and healing.
I have a wealth of experience working with the public sector, and the unique challenges that come from working in first response services such as police, prison and fire services. I hold both Access NI & CTC Clearance.
Stress
Stress is an adverse reaction we have to excessive pressure or other situations we face in our lives. It can leave us feeling overwhelmed or overloaded by the demands placed upon us. It may be a response to the feeling that we have more work to do than we can fit into our working day, or it could be related to worries about finances, relationships or a change in our circumstances, such as moving house.
Stress is a normal human response, however when it becomes overwhelming and impacts on our mental health it becomes problematic.
Domestic Violence & Coercive Control
Domestic abuse can involve physical, controlling or coercive behaviour, verbal, emotional and financial or online abuse, and threats to harm or kill you. Domestic abuse can happen anywhere and is a crime.
The emotional impact of domestic violence is often underestimated. It can leave us feeling low, lacking in confidence and unable to take part in things we once enjoyed. We can quite often feel like we are the ones at fault and blame ourselves for what has happened.
Counselling can help you address how abuse in its various forms has made you feel. I can help you work through your emotions, so you feel better about yourself and understand what you have experienced.
Online Services
The Covid-19 Pandemic changed how many services are delivered, with the popularity of online and telephone counselling increasing and offering greater fliexbility to clients.
Online sessions are held from the safety of your own home at a time that is convenient for you through a convienient online platform.
I am also able to offer appointments via phone call.
About Me
Who Am I?
I’m Alison. As well as being a counsellor, I also work as an advocate for victims of domestic and sexual violence, something I’m really passionate about.
I've worked with people in crisis and distress for nearly a decade and have loved every minute of it. Being there for someone when they need support is the best feeling in the world. Even if it's the smallest thing that makes a difference to them, that's what matters.
I'm extremely passionate about mental health and breaking the stigma that still very much exists within society.
I've had my own struggles in the past which lead me to seek my own counselling. I used to thrive on routine and structure, I'd try to control things around me and feel really off kilter if things weren't going according to my 'plan' that I'd set myself. I'd measure my own self worth based on what I was achieving in work, my personal life and how others viewed me. It took me a long time to work out this wasn't healthy for me.
Working with my counsellor made me realise a lot of things about myself, and ultimately led to where I am today. I still do see my own counsellor from time to time - none of us are invincible or have everything figured out!
If there's something bothering you, we'll work it out together, I'm not here to give you advice, tell you that you're wrong or to 'pull yourself together', or to make you feel like you don't matter. You do - there is only ever going to be one of you!