Alana Thompson, AASW

Alana Thompson is an accredited social worker in Australia with 18 years of clinical experience supporting people through a wide range of emotional and practical challenges. She works with clients facing depression, anxiety, stress, trauma, grief and loss, relationship and workplace difficulties, career concerns, ADHD, and self-harm, and she has considerable experience supporting people who have experienced emotional abuse and complex trauma.

Her style is warm, interactive and collaborative, grounded in respect, compassion and sensitivity. She blends a cognitive-behavioral approach with attention to emotional insight to create safety and management plans that help clients function better day to day and pursue meaningful goals. Her practice is client-centered, with a focus on strengthening resilience, promoting personal growth, and improving overall psychological wellbeing.

Before returning to full-time practice she worked as a Mental Health Practitioner and Manager of the University of Western Australia Student Guild Counselling Service, offering welfare support, counselling and practical strategies to students. Her earlier work in child protection and family services informed a decade of academic research and teaching, including a PhD that examined more therapeutic approaches within child protection legal processes. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology, a Master of Social Work and a PhD in Social Work and Law. She is an Accredited Social Worker and member of the AASW - the Australian Association of Social Workers - and has completed Mental Health First Aid training. Alana aims to provide compassionate, non-judgmental support and to empower clients as they take steps toward change.

Evidence-Based Approaches and Flexible Online Care

Alana Thompson commonly uses cognitive-behavioral techniques and a client-centered approach in her work. Cognitive-behavioral methods focus on identifying and adjusting unhelpful thoughts and behaviors to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression and stress and to build practical coping skills. A client-centered approach emphasizes empathy, respect and collaboration, supporting clients to explore emotions and personal goals at their own pace.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Alana works collaboratively with each person to tailor techniques to their needs, goals and preferences, adjusting strategies over time so therapy remains relevant and effective for the individual.

Online therapy with Alana is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat or text-based messaging, providing flexible options to fit different schedules and comfort levels. These formats make it easier to access regular support from licensed professionals without needing to travel, and they allow people to continue care during life transitions or busy periods.