Ms Alison Keane
Counsellor, Relationship Therapist
Ashgrove, Brisbane QLD 4060
In Person + Online Therapy
Philosophy & Vision
Good therapy is having a wise and compassionate professional who, through presence and skill, can support you in finding peace, inner resolve and answers to life's difficult dilemmas.
I have more than 25 years experience as a relationship counsellor and as a counsellor supporting people with distressing anxiety, depression and unwanted stress. I love my work and in particular witnessing the life-changing transitions that people step into as they begin to look at themselves, their world, difficult situations and stress in empowering and resilient new ways. My practice is one of compassionate presence and mindfulness so that you know you are heard, understood and accepted.
Background
I have practised as a counsellor and psychotherapist for more than 25 years. A speciality area of my work is couples counselling. I trained in family systems therapy, the most effective style of counselling support for couples at Relationships Australia in 1992. I am also an accredited teacher of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, having trained with Professor Emeritus of Medicine, Jon Kabat-Zinn in 2007 at Mt Madonna, California. In both individual psychotherapy and couples counselling I draw on Mindfulness Based Interventions (MBIs) and related somatic psychotherapy to support clients in seeing, feeling and experiencing life situations and their own thoughts and feelings more clearly and calmly.
Services
Areas of Special Interest
Accreditations
- Master of Social Science - Counselling (MsSc) - 1998 - Queensland University of Technology
- Bachelor of Business (BBus) - 1979 - Queensland University of Technology
Modalities
Attachment Theory - Buddhist Psychotherapy - CBT - Compassion-Focused Therapy - Emotional Freedom Techniques - Meditation - Mindfulness - Narrative Therapy - Systems Theory - Trauma-Informed
Professional Associations
- Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia
Practice Locations
Ashgrove QLD 4060
Ample on-street parking
Fees & Insurance
$105-$120
Couples therapy $120
Health fund rebates (enquire about eligibility of your fund)
Fee reduction available (terms apply)
Payment Options
Electronic funds transfer at time of session or cash
Contact Alison
Please contact me to make an appointment
A conversation with Alison Keane
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I chose counselling and psychotherapy as a profession because ever since a young child I have always felt the emotional pain of others (not understanding that was what it was back then!) and at the same time also wanting to ease it. I have like everyone managed some really difficult life circumstances and have found some wonderful and safe pathways through and I want now to pass the baton of hope onto others who are at especially difficult or seemingly hopeless points in their journeys
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Some of the more significant philosophical approaches in my professional and personal journey include mindfulness, the power of the present moment, acceptance, Buddhism thought and philosophy, yoga and meditation
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I am particularly interested in the transformative power of change especially that which is unwanted or annoying! Alongside this I am especially moved by clients' capacity and courage to move with and into this change as a way of finding peace, hope and ultimately joy. What I'm talking about here is the building back of resilience and when this settles in it has a profoundly positive impact on body, mind and spirit.
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I use therapeutic conversation, my insight, mindful presence and intuition, and a range of therapy modalities including narrative therapy and solution focused brief therapy. When working with couples I consider the relationship as 'the client' and employ a family systems approach,
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My hope is that my client feels a positive shift in the way that he or she is feeling about a presenting problem as early as the first session. To me this easing of some of the mental stress is the start of progress. Enduring progress happens as the counselling relationship with me unfolds and my client feels supported and safe to step into safe and empowering change.
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Therapy has definitely made me a better person! It has helped me to step outside a narrow perspective and see the bigger picture of things which is more hopeful and encouraging. But it is not just traditional therapy that has helped me sort things out! I include here being in nature, stilling my mind to rest in the present moment, yin and restorative yoga, formal sitting meditation supportive loving and lovable family members and friends and my dog's playful licks!
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In my work I most enjoy being present to the breakthrough moments when clients discover in their own minds and hearts the bigger picture of their lives in a way that brings ease and peace. Although therapy may sound a bit like hard work we also get to smile and laugh at times.
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Yes I do have bad hair days when nothing seems to go according to plan or something really difficult happens. This stuff constantly reminds me that life can throw a curve ball...and some of them are big ones... at any step of the way for any of us.
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I have no doubt in my mind that the most significant problem we face in the world today is mental stress. This happens when we have:
* not healed past trauma
* have not reached out for support to manage difficult thoughts and feelings
* when we take on too much in our lives
* and when we simply don't spend anywhere near enough time looking after our physical, mental and spiritual well-being. -
The Power of Now by Eckhardt Tolle