Alana Thompson , AASW

Alana Thompson is a seasoned mental health practitioner in Australia with 18 years of clinical experience supporting people through a wide range of emotional and practical challenges. She works with individuals facing depression, anxiety, stress, trauma, grief and loss, relationship difficulties, workplace and career concerns, ADHD, and self-harm, bringing particular experience with trauma and emotional abuse. Her background spans child protection and family services, tertiary sector research and teaching, and leadership of a university counselling service, experience that informs a grounded and practical approach to care.

Her therapeutic style is warm, interactive and client-centered, grounded in evidence-based methods. She integrates cognitive-behavioral techniques with attention to emotional insight to co-design safety and management plans that help clients improve daily functioning, strengthen wellbeing, and pursue meaningful goals. Alana prioritizes respect, compassion and sensitivity, meeting people where they are and working collaboratively to reinforce helpful emotions and behaviors while addressing unhelpful patterns.

Alana’s qualifications include a Bachelor of Psychology, a Master of Social Work and a PhD in Social Work and Law. She is an Accredited Social Worker and a member of the AASW - the Australian Association of Social Workers - and has completed Mental Health First Aid training. Her earlier roles in child protection and as Manager of the University of Western Australia Student Guild Counselling Service shaped her focus on more therapeutic and less adversarial practices. After a decade in academia and the tertiary sector, she returned to clinical practice full time, committed to fostering resilience, personal growth and improved psychological wellbeing.

Evidence-Based Approaches for Online Therapeutic Care

Alana uses cognitive-behavioral techniques that focus on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. This approach is practical and skills-oriented, and it can be especially helpful for managing anxiety, depression, stress and workplace or career challenges.

She also brings a trauma-informed perspective that emphasizes understanding the impact of past harm on current feelings and relationships. This approach prioritizes emotional safety, pacing and strategies that support recovery from trauma, grief and complex emotional histories.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Alana works collaboratively with each person to tailor methods to their needs, goals and preferences, reviewing progress and adjusting techniques together so therapy remains relevant and effective.

Online sessions are offered by video call, phone, live chat or text-based messaging to provide flexible access to care. These options make it easier to fit therapy into busy lives, maintain continuity during transitions, and choose the communication style that feels most comfortable while working with licensed professionals and experienced therapists.