Counsellor profile
Alison Cannell, PACFA
PACFA counsellor - Family and relationship concerns
Continue with AlisonAbout
- Addictions and recovery
- Family conflict work
- Communication strategies
About Alison
Alison Cannell is a PACFA counsellor in Australia with 13 years' experience as a therapist and more than 30 years working in behavioural change across several industries. She supports people facing addictions, relationship strain, family conflict, trauma and abuse, and major life changes. Alison writes plainly and works with adults who are coping with caregiver stress, loneliness, guilt, or decisions about separation and commitment.
People can expect direct conversation about current problems and practical ways to manage them. Alison helps clients talk through family-of-origin issues, communication problems, codependency, and control or attachment concerns. She also addresses dissociation, substance use concerns, and the effects of domestic violence without clinical jargon.
Her sessions focus on identifying patterns that keep problems repeating and on developing small, workable changes. She uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques aimed at improving coping, stabilising mood, and repairing communication. Work can include looking at what fuels addictive behaviours, building clearer boundaries, and practising new ways to speak with others.
Alison has experience supporting people through grief, emptiness and searching for life purpose. She also assists those managing caregiver burnout and the emotional strain of major transitions. Her background across behavioural change roles informs a practical, step-by-step style.
To begin, clients complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule a first session. The service uses a subscription model that can be cancelled at any time; exact session costs vary with location.
How sessions work
Therapeutic approaches and how online sessions can help
Alison uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques that focus on behaviour change and relationship patterns. One common strand is work that identifies repeating interaction patterns and communication traps, then practices alternative responses to reduce conflict and improve connection. This approach helps with ongoing relationship strain, codependency, and family communication problems.Another focus is on managing addictive behaviours and the stress that surrounds them. That work involves understanding triggers, planning small changes, and building practical coping skills to reduce reliance on substances or harmful habits. It also addresses caregiver stress and feelings of emptiness by setting realistic, daily actions to improve wellbeing.
Choosing the right therapeutic approach is part of the process. Alison will discuss your needs and try different techniques to find what fits best. That work is collaborative and adjusted as goals change over time.
Session logistics should be confirmed before booking as the biography does not list specific formats. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into busy days, allow shorter check-ins when time is limited, or remove the need to travel. Ask about current session options when you complete the matching questionnaire and schedule your first appointment.
Areas of focus
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Experience
13+ years
Listed in
Australia
Languages
English
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of family issues does she help with?
She works with adults on family conflict, family of origin issues, and problems that affect household relationships such as codependency and communication breakdowns.
Does she help with relationship or commitment concerns?
Yes. She supports people dealing with relationship strain, commitment issues and separation decisions through practical conversation and skills practice.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her approach is practical and conversational, focusing on identifying unhelpful patterns and trying small changes to improve coping and communication.
How much experience does she have?
She has 13 years as a therapist plus over 30 years working in behavioural change settings across different industries.
What credential does she hold and where is she based?
She is listed with PACFA and practises in Australia.
Can I work with her if I live overseas?
Sessions are offered in English and international clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are available?
Session formats are not specified in the biography; please confirm current session options before booking.
How are fees and starting a first session handled?
Costs vary with location and the service uses a subscription that can be cancelled at any time. To start, complete the short matching questionnaire and schedule a first session.
Details come from information the counsellor supplied to BetterHelp. A registration can be checked with the body that issued it.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If anyone is in danger, use the crisis numbers.