- Stress and anxiety
- Grief and loss
- Career concerns
About Alana
Alana Thompson is an AASW social worker with 18 years of clinical experience in Australia. She works with people facing stress, anxiety, grief, depression, ADHD and career concerns. She also supports those dealing with family of origin issues and related family problems.
Alana uses straightforward, practical conversations to help people see how early family patterns still affect daily life. She draws on cognitive-behavioural ideas alongside attention to emotions to help people manage symptoms and make clearer choices. Sessions focus on observable changes - new ways of responding, clearer communication, and better daily routines.
Her background includes frontline child protection and family services work, university counselling management, and over a decade in research and teaching in social work. That mix means she knows both hands-on supports and the systems people navigate when they need help. People coming from adoptive or foster backgrounds and those caring for older relatives often consult her because of that experience.
Alana’s training includes 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 Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). She has also completed Mental Health First Aid training.
Her style is interactive and respectful. Sessions typically cover immediate safety and management when needed, alongside goal-focused work such as managing anxiety, grief processing, or changing career-related stress responses. To begin, people can choose the online therapy options and complete a short matching questionnaire before booking a first session.
How evidence-based approaches work in online sessions
Alana uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques that focus on clear, practical change. One common approach is cognitive-behavioural work, which looks at how thoughts and behaviours keep problems going and teaches new skills for handling anxiety, depression and stress. Another useful strand emphasises emotional awareness and regulation, helping people name feelings and respond differently when old family patterns appear.Choosing the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will discuss goals, preferences and what has helped or not helped in the past. That collaborative process guides whether sessions emphasise skill practice, emotional processing, or a mix of methods.
The exact online session formats for this therapist are not specified here, so confirm current options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and remove travel time. They can also let people choose a quieter time during the day or use a phone call rather than video if that suits them better. Appropriately qualified or registered therapists can adapt exercises and homework so progress continues between sessions.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Experience
18+ years
Listed in
Australia
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she work with?
She works with stress, anxiety, grief, depression, ADHD and career-related concerns. The profile also lists family of origin issues and a range of related family problems.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her style is interactive and practical. She combines cognitive-behavioural ideas with attention to emotions to help people change patterns and daily routines.
How much experience does she have?
She has 18 years of clinical experience in Australia, including work in child protection, university counselling management and academic research and teaching.
What are her credentials and location?
She holds a Bachelor of Psychology, a Master of Social Work and a PhD in Social Work and Law, and is an Accredited Social Worker with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). She practises in Australia.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does she work with international clients?
International clients are not currently accepted. Sessions are focused on clients located in Australia.
How are sessions priced?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription model that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I get started?
Use the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session once matched.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the emergency numbers. Looking for someone else? Find them by surname.