Safe connection is key to emotional healing
Welcome to my place
Hi there...
My name is Alison
I am the principal of The Real Affect,
a Canberra counselling practice founded on the belief that real relationships are healing relationships.
I know all too well what it's like to be alone in your pain and in real need of emotional healing, which is why I am driven to share and create with you what I believe matters most in life:
~ Safe Connection ~
We all crave close human connection.
To feel seen.
To belong.
To feel felt.
To know we matter.
And especially...
to feel loved and accepted for who we truly are.
All too often we get hurt (rather than nurtured) in our earliest relationships ('attachments') which can create very traumatic, emotional wounds. When our attachment injuries remain unhealed we often suffer tremendously; affecting how we live, love, work and play.
I believe it takes a gentle, relational approach to repair these relational wounds.
Thankfully, when we get the chance to experience safety time and time again in a real relationship with a trusted, dependable companion, who crucially can exist with us fully in the moment, we begin to slowly heal the most vulnerable, tender parts of ourselves.
And so begins the journey home...
"The ache for home lives in all of us;
the safe place where we can go as we are
and not be questioned.”
Maya Angelou
Background
In another life I practised as a lawyer (because it felt safer to stay firmly inside my head !!), English language teacher and primary/secondary school tutor. As I gradually learnt to feel safe on the inside I was increasingly drawn to supporting other people on their own unique path toward healing.
After completing my counselling studies I worked for several years as a volunteer counsellor with Parentline A.C. T supporting families to manage a range of emotional, behavioural and relationship challenges as well as life transitions. I relished my role, particularly teaching adults the skills of Dr Thomas Gordon's 'Parent Effectiveness Training' (P.E.T); the proven program for healthier, happier relationships.
Qualifications & Training
- Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws (UTS)
- University of Cambridge Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults
- Diploma of Counselling (AIPC) with Advanced Study Majors in Abuse Counselling and Child Development & Effective Parenting
- P.E.T for Practitioners - 2 day workshop (Larissa Dann)
- Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training - 2 day workshop in suicide first aid (Lifeline)
- P.E.T; Advanced Empathy & Conflict Resolution Skills - 5 day workshop (Robert Pereira)
- Narrative Therapy - 5 day workshop (Robert Pereira)
