Ms Alana O'Callaghan
Relationship Therapist, Family Therapist
Hills Holistic Counselling 0413 543 049
Upwey, Melbourne VIC 3158
Online Therapy Australia-wide
Philosophy & Vision
Alana is an experienced Counsellor and Mental Health Social Worker, who assists people to learn skills to manage distress, shift perspective, and move to a place of greater empowerment - within a holistic framework. She helps individuals, couples, and parent/child dyads. Her Somatic Experiencing Practitioner training helps shift patterns resulting from trauma (whether from abuse and neglect, or single events). Alana is a supportive and non-judgemental facilitator for healing and growth.
Background
Alana has over twenty years experience counselling achildren, adolescents, and adults (including couples). In addition to her private practice, she works in a national youth mental health service as a Senior Clinician.
Alana's specialities include assistance for adolescents and adults with emotional distress, mental health issues, and life stressors; trauma (including childhood abuse and neglect; and single unexpected traumatic events); and parenting and relationship difficulties. She is an internationally accredited Somatic Experiencing Pracititioner (SEP).
Services
- Individual counselling for adolescents and adults
- Couples/relationship counselling
- Parenting strategies
- Dealing with trauma
- Somatic Experiencing, and safe, regulating Touch Therapy where that is requested and where there is fully informed consent by the client (not available during COVID-19 pandemic)
- Support for families where there is a young person or other family member with a mental illness.
Accredited provider of counselling through:
- Carers Victoria (6 sessions for carers)
- Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service (VVCS)
- FRMP (Family Reconciliation and Mediation Service)
- Transport Accident Commission (TAC)
Quality Provision
Alana follows ethical guidelines as set out by the professesional associations of which she is a member. She regularly reviews progress with clients, and attends regular supervision and professional development and training.
Areas of Special Interest
Accreditations
- Bachelor of Arts - 1992 - Swinburne University
- Bachelor of Social Work - 1999 - University of Melbourne
- Graduate Diploma in Addiction Studies - 1996 - Deakin University
- Master in Clinical Family Therapy - 2004 - Latrobe University/Bouverie Centree
Modalities
CBT - Compassion-Focused Therapy - Marriage and Family - Meditation - Mindfulness - Process Oriented - Psychodynamic - Solution Oriented - Somatic Experiencing® - Somatic Psychotherapy - Systems Theory - Trauma-Informed
Therapy Approach
Alana draws on a wide range of tools. Her training includes Somatic Experiencing, Solution-Focussed Therapy, Mindfulness, Self-Compassion, and CBT. Alana has a sound knowledge regarding trauma and treatment, and a strong interest in body-oriented psychotherapy. Some clients want to explore past issues including childhood, and some want to focus on practical strategies for managing current stress/overwhelm - Alana can accommodate either approach.
Professional Associations
- Australian Association of Social Workers
- Somatic Experiencing Australia