Hello! I am an LCSW based in Florida; although I was recently living in Australia for 21 years, where I practiced there as a licensed clinician for more than ten years. I am also an artist and musician, which I feel creativity lends well to therapy, especially with special needs and younger people. I have extensive experience across the lifespan in a range of modalities, and would love to help you take the next step in your journey of healing!
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
Our first session is spent predominantly getting a better understanding of what is presenting for you, and what you'd like to work on. This is more of a 'get to know you' for both you and myself; I'm a firm believer that for therapy to be effective, you need to feel like it's a good fit with your therapist. So this is just as much as you deciding if you feel I am the right fit for you!
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
I feel I'm a very versatile therapist, with international experience; therapy is not a 'one type fits all'; I have experiencing working in many settings with a range of clients, which helps me be more culturally aware. I believe in empowering clients, that effective therapy is very much client-centered, and enjoy seeing clients reframe their narratives to feel more free in themselves and build better relationships.
About Alison George
Appointments
Virtual
My treatment methods
Trauma-Focused CBT
I have a lot of experience working with first responders, asylum seekers, refugees, and those who've experienced domestic violence/ intimate partner violence, child abuse/neglect, and other traumas. I integrate multiple modalities, including CBT, ACT, mindfulness, and more. Each individual has their own experiences, and therefore therapy is individually tailored.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
I trained with Russ Harris, author of the book 'the Happiness Trap,' in Australia. He is known as one of the leaders in the field, and I was very honored to have this experience. I love this therapy type as it helps clients recognize the importance of learning how to recognize our thoughts as something to identify and sit with - without necessarily having to solve it, push it away - it helps increase self-awareness, insight. I love this therapy type as it also guides clients on the journey of better understanding core values and how that interweaves so many of our decisions.
Solution Focused Brief Treatment
I have done a great deal of work in the EAP and Management space; this therapy type is very effective for increasing insight and awareness into presenting issues and how to identify practical, achievable solutions. Often when we are overwhelmed, we have a 'big cloud of worry' of things - and it can be tricky to identify what those worries actually are. This therapy is wonderful at better identifying these, focusing on what we can control, identifying who is responsible for changing aspects of what we can, and by when. For some people 1-3 sessions is all they need to get going again! This type of therapy is great for that.
Attachment-based
I have a great deal of experience working with trauma; and often the experiences we have in early life with our primary cargivers can have a lifelong impact on other relationships throughout our lives. By learning about our attachment styles and experiences, we can better heal traumas, and better identify and community our needs, and choose more healthy relationships.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I have been using this modality for many years, to help people increase awareness/insight into thought patterns that affect our choices and behaviors. Learning how to re-frame our narrative is very helpful. This method is very helpful especially for those that struggle with negative thinking, or 'feeling stuck' without necessarily understanding why. I also like to use mindfulness/ mindful-CBT.
