Alana Thompson, AASW

Alana Thompson is an experienced Mental Health Practitioner in Australia with 18 years working in clinical practice. She supports people facing a wide range of challenges including depression, anxiety, stress, trauma, grief and loss, relationship difficulties, workplace and career pressures, ADHD and self-harm, with particular experience supporting those who have experienced trauma and emotional abuse.

Her therapeutic manner is warm and interactive, grounded in respect, compassion and sensitivity. Alana blends a cognitive-behavioural approach with emotional insight to develop practical safety and management plans aimed at improving day-to-day functioning, increasing positive emotions and helping clients reach meaningful mental, emotional and behavioural goals. Her work is client-centred and collaborative, focused on fostering resilience, promoting personal growth and enhancing overall psychological wellbeing.

Alana values meeting people where they are and offers non-judgemental support for an individual’s emotional and psychological needs. Before establishing her private practice she worked as a Mental Health Practitioner and Manager of the University of Western Australia Student Guild Counselling Service, providing welfare support, counselling and referral to students. Her earlier career in child protection and family services involved supporting young people and families through complex and often confronting challenges, which informed her PhD research exploring more therapeutic, less adversarial responses within child protection legal processes. After a decade in research and tertiary teaching she returned to full-time practice.

She holds a Bachelor degree in Psychology, a Master of Social Work and a PhD in Social Work and Law. Alana is an Accredited Social Worker and a member of the AASW (Australian Association of Social Workers) and has completed Mental Health First Aid training. Seeking help can be a courageous step, and Alana aims to provide a supportive, compassionate space to empower people on their path to change.

Evidence-based approaches for online counselling and therapy

Alana commonly uses cognitive-behavioural therapy and client-centred approaches alongside trauma-informed ways of working. Cognitive-behavioural therapy helps people identify unhelpful thought patterns and behaviours and then learn practical strategies to change them - it is often helpful for anxiety, depression, stress and difficulties with attention. Client-centred practice focuses on the person's own experience, offering empathic listening and collaboration to help clarify values, set goals and build self-directed coping skills. Trauma-informed work recognises the impact of past hurt and emotional abuse and prioritises safety, stability and paced recovery when supporting people who have experienced trauma.

Finding the right therapeutic approach is part of the process. Alana will work collaboratively with each person to determine which techniques and pace suit their needs, goals and preferences, and an appropriately qualified or registered professional will adapt methods as therapy progresses.

Online therapy via video calls, phone sessions, live chat or text-based messaging makes it easier to fit support into a busy life, reduces travel time and can help maintain continuity of care when schedules change. These options offer flexibility and accessibility so people can connect with a therapist in ways that suit their routine and comfort.