- Carl Jung
Alison Turner
Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist, Psychodynamic Psychotherapist
Alison Turner Psychotherapy
Glebe, Sydney NSW 2037
In Person + Online Therapy
Philosophy & Vision
Hi, my name is Alison. I offer Psychoanalytic & Psychodynamic therapy, I also draw on other psychological theories and tools as needed from Existential, Somatic Experiencing, Attachment Theory, and Jungian Theory. I explore with my clients the root of their problems, or destructive patterns that are holding them back through exploring the conscious and unconscious mind to gain context & understanding of why they react to life or relationships the way they currently do. We then work towards creating new patterns and an experience of life that is more meaningful & fulfilling for them. In my work with couples, we address what the current problems are, their history as a couple, & where they want to go as a couple. I work to establish trust with both individuals & create a safe space where both can feel heard and we can explore the dynamics of the relationship & create better ways of communicating & skills to deepen relationships.
Background
I have been working as a Psychotherapist for over 20 years in many settings including schools and clinics. I have worked with people across the lifespan and provided individual, group and couples therapy. Both my undergraduate and graduate degrees are in psychology. I am a member of IARPP. I am also a dancer in my free time and teach dance workshops which gives me an appreciation for the wisdom of the body and mind/body connection.
Services
I offer individual adult therapy and couples therapy. I offer clinical supervision for practitioners who are seeking to do Psychodynamic based work with their clients. I also offer self development programs for women looking to do focused, time bound work. The foundation of these programs is depth oriented to make them a rich experience.
Areas of Interest
Accreditations
- Masters Degree in Counselling Psychology - 2005 - Santa Clara University, California
- Bachelors Degree in Psychology - 1996 - Rowan University, New Jersey
Modalities
Attachment Theory - Developmental - Existential - Gottman Method - Interpersonal - Marriage and Family - Mindfulness - Object Relations - Psychoanalytic - Psychodynamic - Self Psychology - Soul Centred Psychotherapy - Systems Theory - Transpersonal - Trauma-Informed
Professional Associations
- Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia - Clinical
- International Association for Relational Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy
Practice Locations
125 St. Johns Road
Glebe NSW 2037
My practice is located just off of Glebe point road, so it is accessible by bus and there is plenty of street parking
Fees & Insurance
For individual therapy I charge $170 per 50 min session and for couples I charge $220 per 60 minute session. I offer a free 15 minute phone consultation. For Clinical Supervision I charge $160 per supervision session.
Payment Options
visa, mastercard or electronic funds transfer
Contact Alison
Please contact me to make an appointment
A conversation with Alison Turner
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Going back to when I was a kid I loved listening to people and hearing their stories which later led to wanting to help. Also, my own life experiences led me to becoming a therapist.
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While Psychodynamic theory and framework form the foundation of how I work, other theories have influenced me as well including Attachment Theory, Existential, Jungian Psychology, and in recent years Somatic Experiencing and therapy.
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How people heal, the resilience of the human spirit, using our creativity in every area of life, the potential of each person, the flow and directing of energy and connectedness or disconnectedness to name a few. I love the complexity and nuance of people and how each persons journey is similar in some respects and totally individual in other respects.
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The framework of therapy is an important method in the process. For me it's seeing clients once week (sometimes more if needed) on the same day, same time. That consistency and containment is important in the process. We also explore the key areas of the past including caregivers and other relationship, the culture and environment a person grew up in, exploring any traumas, crisis or other significant events. Exploring and shedding light on the unconscious is a big part of the process. A big part of Psychodynamic work is shining a light on the unconscious patterns and beliefs that affect us. I think of it as similar to what we refer now to "self awareness", the unconscious are a big piece of that puzzle and important to take into consideration. In addition, the path of the treatment is based on each persons needs, but the above is the foundation. I also recommend tools like meditation, grounding exercises, breath work or books that I think might be helpful to someone.
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What I find with longer term, depth oriented therapy is that the changes people experience do take longer and are more subtle, but also powerful and longer term changes. The people I work with notice differences in how they respond to life circumstances and/or people in their lives. They notice changes in how they feel about themselves, how they experience their past. They are able to not just make sense of the past, but also have it be integrated into who they are in a healthy way, but at the same time not be defined by it. People also notice feeling more integrated and whole in general and experience more self agency.
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Its made a massive difference. In my own therapy, I was able to build my self awareness about my own patterns, explore my history and do healing I needed to do. Growth is an ongoing thing though and I think one of the gifts of therapy is that it can give you tools that you can continue to cultivate in yourself throughout your life. .
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I find this work so special and it's amazing to be able to walk alongside people in their journey and to see them make changes that help them heal and grow. In the time period we live in I also love that most forms of therapy are still 2 people in a room with no laptops (unless it's online!), no phones, it's just real and raw. I think its an incredibly special space and I feel honoured to do this work with people.
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Yes! Especially because I live in humid Sydney with curly hair
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Loneliness and disconnection from ourselves, others and nature.
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There is so much that inspires me, so I'll name a few. I have been studying dance for over two decades. Being a dancer as well as a therapist gives me a deep appreciation for the therapeutic impact of music and movement and for the connection of mind and body. I'm an avid reader. Some favourite authors are Anne Rice, Clarissa Pinkola Estes, Anais Nin, Donald Winnicott, Carl Jung, Tom Ogden and many other authors across all genres.. I am hugely inspired by music. I love Rock, Blues, Jazz, Soul, Folk and Motown. Finally, I am also very inspired by travel and other cultures, particularly how other cultures approach lifestyle and health and wellbeing.