Fiona McAlister

I have taken that learning into my relationships, into my career in social care where I’ve worked for many years with vulnerable young people and adults, and now into my counselling work where I walk alongside my clients whilst they work through their pain, loss, grief and trauma.

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Therapy with Fiona

During my psychotherapy training, I developed an interest in how trauma impacts people on multiple levels – emotionally, physically, thinking patterns and self-beliefs, spiritually. This became my specialism, and now my trauma-informed approach aims to create a safe space for each client. I will take time to develop a trusting relationship with you so that you feel able to dig deep – to share your vulnerabilities with me, to tell me your story, to explore your grief and loss, perhaps sit quietly in your pain or express your anger; and in doing so, reveal your truths to yourself as you gain insight into the sources of your anxieties and trauma.

As much of our life experience leaves traces of trauma in each of us, I work holistically to help you discover and process those traces, using a variety of methods and approaches. Together we might:

• Talk about your past in a journey towards understanding who you are now in your present;
• Bring your awareness to the trauma held in your body through mindfulness, somatic work, breath work, movement;
• Give respect and compassion to your inner voices to learn what your multiple parts wish to tell you;
• Look at issues in your present and what your thoughts, feelings and behaviours can teach about your beliefs of yourself and the world;
• Explore your personal philosophies in a search for life’s meaning;
• Work creatively with drawing or cards to help you express unarticulated emotions.

Additionally, I might suggest other resources you can explore outside of our sessions to enhance your developing skills, such as books, articles, videos, podcasts, or exercises to practice between sessions.

By combining some or all of these techniques, I will be led by you as we create your therapy together to enable you to challenge negative self-beliefs, tune into the wisdom of your body, integrate the impact of trauma, develop ways to more skilfully manage relationships, attune with your purpose in the world.

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A Little More About Me

Before training to be a psychotherapist, I worked for many years in the social care and voluntary sector, both as a paid professional and a volunteer. The people I’ve supported have been many and varied; young people from trauma-filled backgrounds, people with disabilities, older people nearing the end of life, adults with mental health issues, people living with HIV and AIDS. I bring all that I have been honoured to learn from those people into my therapy room, always aiming to use my insights for the benefit of the client.

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Areas I work with:

I work with individuals across a range of areas. My specialisms are working in-depth with survivors of child sexual abuse, adults coping with the impact of parental neglect and dysfunctional families, and people struggling to understand the impact of their trauma on the dynamics of their relationships.

I also work with the following issues:

• Anxiety and fears
• Bereavement, Loss and Grief
• Emotional abuse
• Family dynamics
• Integration from psychedelic experiences
• Low self-esteem and negative self-beliefs
• Parenting issues
• Relationship dynamics, breakdown and divorce
• Search for life’s purpose / meaning
• Self-harm
• Shame
• Stress
• Suicidal ideation
• Trauma (episodic and developmental)
• Work related issues (including coaching)

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Psychotherapy Qualifications and Experience:

I started my psychotherapy training by gaining a Foundation Certificate Course in Counselling and Psychotherapy with Naos in 2016, then an Advanced Diploma in Humanistic Integrative Counselling at CPPD Counselling School two years later. I went on to complete a Diploma in Trauma Therapy in 2021, and continue to broaden and deepen my learning throughout the year by engaging in continual professional development. Starting my therapy practice as a student, I have worked for a variety of organisations including as a psychotherapist for the Koan Practice and a volunteer at One in Four, a specialist charity providing services to survivors of sexual abuse and trauma.
I hold a clear, enhanced DBS.

Professional Body

I am an Accredited Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). Additionally, my work is supervised by a qualified supervisor and Accredited member of BACP.

https://www.bacp.co.uk/

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Contact:

Please call or email me for an initial chat; I offer a free 20-minute consultation for you to explore what you are seeking from therapy, what I can offer you and whether we’re a good match for each other.

07795 299 719
therapywithfiona@proton.me

Rates and Practical Information:

I work with young people and adult individuals; my rate is £70 for 50-minutes session or £75 for 60 minutes (depending on availability).

Sessions

If you decide to work with me, we would usually meet weekly, in person or on-line. I am available at the BTRs on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons. In our first sessions, we will agree a contract through which I guarantee your confidentiality, identify the areas you wish to work on, and discuss together the length of therapy that might suit you (I work open-ended), though we will continue to review this in partnership throughout our time together.