Alison Cannell, PACFA

Alison Cannell is a compassionate and experienced counsellor and psychotherapist who brings 13 years of clinical experience as a therapist together with more than 30 years working in behavioural change across multiple industries. She supports people facing a wide range of concerns, including life transitions, anxiety and depression, stress, family and workplace relationship challenges, self-worth and communication difficulties, childhood trauma and abuse, crisis counselling, addictions, and domestic and family violence. Alison works to create an open, nonjudgmental space where thoughts and feelings can be explored honestly, and she partners with clients to identify practical steps toward a more fulfilling life.

Her practice focuses on addictions, relationship and family work, trauma and abuse, and coping with life changes, with additional attention to attachment issues, caregiver stress, codependency, commitment and control concerns, dissociation, separation and divorce, family of origin dynamics, and feelings of emptiness or isolation. Alison holds PACFA accreditation - the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia - which denotes membership in a national professional body for counsellors and psychotherapists. She offers supportive, evidence-informed care aimed at helping people navigate difficult moments and develop greater resilience and clarity.

Evidence-Informed Approaches for Online Support

Alison draws on trauma-informed therapy to help people process and recover from the effects of abuse and overwhelming experiences. This approach focuses on understanding how trauma shapes thoughts, emotions, and relationships and uses gentle, paced strategies to rebuild a sense of safety and control. She also uses addiction-focused counselling methods that concentrate on recognizing triggers, strengthening coping skills, and developing practical strategies to reduce harm and support recovery from drug and alcohol dependence.

In work with families and couples, Alison applies relational and family-focused techniques that explore patterns of communication, attachment, and roles within relationships, helping people improve connection and resolve recurring conflicts. Choosing the right therapeutic approach is a collaborative process - Alison works with each person to identify goals, preferences, and what feels most helpful, adapting interventions as progress unfolds.

Online therapy with Alison is offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, providing flexibility to fit sessions into daily life. These options make it easier to access consistent support from licensed professionals without travel, and they allow sessions to continue across life transitions and changing schedules.