“I heard about Alison from someone who had attended her workshop on working with girls that self harm. My daughter was suffering from depression and self harming at this time and we had tried many things. I approached Alison hoping that she would be able to help my daughter. I ended up having sessions with her (via Skype). She helped me see that some of the behaviours that we were really distressed about, were quite common for girls with depression/self esteem and anxiety issues. She gave me many helpful strategies which helped ME cope better and made my reactions and responses to my daughter’s behaviour and distress calmer and more helpful to her needs.”

“Thanks for our session tonight. I really appreciate all your time and care and the fact that you get the stuff that matters to me.

You always remain patient and engaged with me and give me time to find my way… I appreciate that you understand the value of that for me and don’t become frustrated (with me)

I feel different within myself (in a good way)…there have been some deep and lasting changes in my sense of myself and the world.”

Alee’s emphasis on living inside one’s body, especially in moments of pain, whether sitting and being aware of breathing, or moving about, waving arms, walking legs, and using one’s voice, has been an invaluable approach for me. I find that, as I suffer from depression, which is really a depression of self/life energy, I tend to reduce my living, to want to curl up into a ball, or lie down and sleep and stay in my room. By being playful and expressive with feelings, I am able to feel the painful feelings, and with movement and time, they are released sooner, and so do not depress my energy. It takes courage to do this, but remembering that, once I do, the painful feelings really will be released so that I am free of them sooner to live in the moment, helps me to take the first step.