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- Addictions support
- Relationship issues
- Family concerns
About Alison
PACFA counsellor and psychotherapist with 13 years of clinical experience, Alison Cannell focuses on addictions, relationships, family concerns, trauma and coping with life changes. She works with people who are facing separation, addiction, or the fallout from childhood trauma. Sessions are conducted in English and she practices in Australia.
Alison uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques to help people manage anxiety, depression and high stress. She helps clients talk through relationship and communication problems, codependency and attachment issues. Practical steps and clearer communication are common parts of her work together with clients.
Her approach is straightforward and problem-focused. She helps clients identify patterns that keep them stuck, such as control issues or dissociation, and then tries different strategies to change those patterns. For people dealing with caregiver stress or feelings of emptiness, she supports managing daily demands and emotional strain.
Alison also works with people affected by domestic and family violence, addiction to drugs or alcohol, and the emotional effects of divorce or separation. She pays close attention to family of origin issues, guilt and shame, and isolation or loneliness as they come up in therapy.
Clients begin by answering a short matching questionnaire and scheduling a first session. Costs vary by location and are billed through a cancellable subscription. International clients are not currently accepted.
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How Alison uses evidence-based approaches in online work
Alison draws on evidence-based therapeutic techniques that focus on changing behaviour and patterns. One common approach she uses targets addictive behaviours by identifying triggers, building alternative routines and developing healthier coping strategies. This helps people reduce substance use or other compulsive actions by replacing them with defined steps and supports.She also works with trauma-related concerns using approaches that help people process distressing memories and reduce their impact. These methods often involve gentle pacing, learning grounding or stabilising skills, and practising new ways of responding to reminders of past events. For relationship and communication problems, Alison focuses on skills practice - clearer expression, boundary-setting and repairing interactions.
Finding the right therapeutic method is part of the first sessions. Alison will work collaboratively to assess needs, goals and preferences and then recommend techniques to try. She adapts the plan as progress and feedback guide the work.
Confirm the exact session formats before booking, as the biography does not list them. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions around school, work and caring duties and can reduce travel time. It can also allow shorter check-ins when schedules are tight or sessions without video when that better suits a client.
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Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Experience
13+ years
Listed in
Australia
Languages
English
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Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she work with?
She supports people dealing with addictions, relationship and family issues, trauma and major life changes.
What is her therapeutic style?
She uses evidence-based techniques and a problem-focused approach to identify unhelpful patterns and try practical strategies.
How long has she practised?
Alison has 13 years of experience as a counsellor and psychotherapist, plus broader experience in behavioural change across industries.
What credential does she hold and where is she based?
She holds PACFA and sees clients in Australia.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside Australia work with her?
She is not accepting international clients at this time.
How are sessions arranged and paid for?
Sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time and costs vary with location.
How do I start a first session?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the urgent help numbers.