Personal Philosophy

My philosophy of counselling and psychotherapy is based on a relational paradigm. In childhood, under the influence of our innate tendencies and our experiences, we adapt to our environments (family, school, culture, etc.). These adaptations are the best ways we can find to meet our attachment needs, to keep us feeling safe, and to help us to survive and thrive. This process occurs primarily in the context of our relationships with others, and the patterns of interaction that we develop can become components of our personalities. These unconscious patterns often get in the way of us achieving what we consciously desire as independent adults, intimate partners, and nurturing parents.

My personal view of psychotherapy is that in essence it offers an opportunity for something different to happen in a person’s life. For instance, Imago offers a unique and deeply healing way for people in intimate partnership to have a profoundly different experience of relationship, and thus an opportunity to revise their adaptations. In individual therapy, the connection with the therapist offers a different experience of relationship.

Qualifications and Experience

I completed my Basic Clinical Training in Imago Relationship Therapy in 2005, and was certified by Imago Relationships International in 2006.

"We have been very privileged to be selected as a couple to receive coaching practice in Imago tools and techniques for Alan’s Training in 2005. Alan’s careful and caring approach has allowed us to progress in using Imago’s dialogue with more and more confidence. We would not hesitate to use Alan’s services as counsellor in the future and recommend his services to any couple willing to progress on the path of ‘getting the love you want’." Alain & Laura.

I have a Master of Social Science in Counselling and Psychotherapy (2005), from Edith Cowan University. The course includes a broad view of counselling, psychotherapeutic, and psychological theories and practices. I specialized in couples and family therapy, and was on placement at Relationships Australia for the final year of the course.

"Just a few ‘Thank You’ things I would like to say. Firstly, thank you for believing in me when I found it difficult to believe in myself. For saying what I needed to hear - not what I wanted to hear - for siding with me and giving me another side to consider. For the ‘crazy’ exercise that helps!! Thank you for putting so much thought and care into making me feel safe, when I felt so sensitive and vulnerable, for being honest with me and last but not least, being so kind and being there for me!!" A. Client.

For three years starting in 2003 I was a telephone counsellor for Lifeline WA, helping the public of Western Australia to deal with a vast range of personal crises (including suicidal thoughts and acts), relationship issues, and mental heath conditions.

I also work with a variety of other techniques, such as Voice Dialogue and neuro-somatic clearing (like Emotional Freedom Technique, but without the mystical mumbo-jumbo).

I am a qualified trainer (Certificate IV in Assessment and Workplace Training). In this role, I have lectured at Curtin University of Technology and Swan TAFE, and in 2004 and 2005 I trained and mentored telephone counsellors for Lifeline WA.

Professional Associations

I have been a member of the Psychotherapists and Counsellors Association of WA (PACAWA), since 2004.

I am a founding member (2005) and the webmaster of the Association of Imago Relationship Therapists Australia (AIRTA).

Background

I first learnt about Imago as a participant with my partner in a series of workshops presented by Ean James in 2000 and 2001. These experiences dramatically changed our relationship for the better, so as an Imago therapist I can appreciate the work through its profound effect on my own life.

In my previous life as a systems analyst in the information systems industry, I specialised in a form of organisational counselling and mediation - I helped clients to understand their problems and requirements, and negotiated ways towards effective solutions through the co-operation of disparate teams with conflicting objectives. My clients included the Department of Land Information, the Western Australian Electoral Commission, the Department for Planning and Infrastructure, the Ministry of Justice, Telstra, the Australian Children’s Television Foundation, Hewlett-Packard Professional Services, Asgard, and Bunnings.

Thanks for listening. Please contact me if you have any queries.

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Imago ~ A New Way To Love