AT Portrait of Alana Thompson

Alana Thompson, AASW

Experienced AASW social worker offering practical support

18 years in practice · based in Australia · sessions in English · online sessions

Book with Alana

We will earn a commission if you sign up through our link, at no cost to you.

About Alana

Alana Thompson is an experienced counsellor who helps people dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, grief and career uncertainty. She also supports people managing ADHD and complex life events. Her manner is warm and practical, so sessions focus on what helps day to day and what can be changed step by step.

Alana uses clear, evidence-based techniques together with attention to emotions. She works collaboratively with each person to set realistic goals and build skills that reduce distress and increase functioning.

Book with Alana Now Review online therapy options and next steps.

Background and approach

Sessions include talking things through, planning manageable changes and learning coping strategies that fit real life. Her background includes frontline child protection and family services work, where she helped young people and families facing trauma and complex challenges. She later worked in the university sector providing counselling, welfare support and training for students.

That mix of practice and teaching shapes a practical, down-to-earth approach. Alana holds a Bachelor of Psychology, a Master of Social Work and a PhD in Social Work and Law. She is an Accredited Social Worker and member of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).

She has also completed Mental Health First Aid training. With 18 years of clinical experience, Alana focuses on helping people build resilience and meaningful goals. People who choose her can expect a supportive, non-judgemental space and a focus on skills that make a real difference in daily life.

Approaches that guide online counselling

Alana draws on evidence-based therapeutic techniques that combine thinking skills and attention to emotions. A cognitive-style approach focuses on identifying unhelpful thought patterns and developing practical strategies to change them; this helps with anxiety, stress and low mood by teaching clearer ways to respond to worrying thoughts. An emotion-focused element helps people understand their feelings, process grief and reduce overwhelm by naming emotions and finding manageable ways to express them.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will discuss goals, preferences and what has or hasn't helped before. Together they will try methods that fit the person's situation and adjust the plan if something does not feel helpful.

Online therapy is offered by video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging to fit busy lives. Video calls work well for longer, more interactive sessions. Phone sessions can be handy when bandwidth is limited or for a simpler check-in. Live chat and messaging suit shorter updates or people who prefer writing. These options make it easier to attend sessions from different locations and to keep therapy consistent around work and family commitments.
Book with Alana Now Review online therapy options and next steps.

Questions people ask

What concerns does this counsellor commonly address?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, career issues and ADHD. Additional areas include adoption and foster care, caregiver stress, relationship and family of origin problems, and first responder issues.
What is the therapeutic style like?
The style is warm, interactive and practical. Sessions focus on setting goals, learning coping skills and talking through emotional responses in a straightforward way.
How much clinical experience does the counsellor have?
She has 18 years of clinical practice experience across frontline services and university counselling. That includes work with trauma, student welfare and child protection contexts.
What credentials and location apply?
She holds a Bachelor of Psychology, a Master of Social Work and a PhD, and is an Accredited Social Worker with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). Practice is based in Australia.
Which languages are provided and can international clients join?
Sessions are offered in English. International clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are available online?
Online sessions are offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging. These formats can suit different schedules and communication preferences.
How is cost handled for sessions?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability. Sessions use a subscription model that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I begin working with this counsellor?
Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, then schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.

What this therapist works with

Most often

Experience
18 years
Licensed
Languages
English

We will earn a commission if you sign up through our link, at no cost to you.