Alison Dunning, Registered Psychotherapist

(She/Her Pronouns)

Welcome.

You may be looking to improve relationships, change behaviours that are no longer serving you, find new ways of dealing with your emotions, or make sense of and cope with the effects of traumatic events or circumstances.  Regardless of the reason, I’m glad you’re reaching out.  Finding a good fit with a therapist can be a catalyst for change. 

About me

I’m a Registered Psychotherapist with a Masters in Counselling Psychology from OISE. 

I’ve spent the last seven years working with people as they make changes to their substance use.  My approach has always been to work on the struggles behind the substance use, which has meant working with a range of struggles, such as: depression, anxiety, feeling a void, abuse, neglect, suicide, self-harm, body dissatisfaction, experiences of racism/oppression, difficult family dynamics, interpersonal problems, difficulty dealing with emotions, self-criticism, self-loathing, etc. 

I don’t see anyone as ‘disordered’, but am comfortable working with folks who have received diagnoses such as BPD, bipolar, ADHD, depression, anxiety, PTSD, etc. 

My approach

As I get to know you and your lived experiences, I will develop an understanding of you through a trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, and intersectional lens.  With this lens, I may be able to help you see yourself with more clarity and compassion and get a better understanding of how the environments you’ve lived in and the experiences you’ve had have shaped you. 

I draw from a number of different types of therapy in my work: EMDR, Emotion-Focused Therapy, CBT, DBT, and mindfulness.

I will work with you to structure enough safety so that you can control the pace, stay focused on what is most important to you, and give me honest feedback as needed.  Guided by the belief that you are an expert in your own life, I will work with you collaboratively to find ways for you to live in the present with more ease, create a more adaptive relationship to the past, and move into the future with increased clarity, meaning and hope.

Availability, Rate and Contact Information

You can contact me at AlisonDunningTherapy@gmail.com to book a free 20-minute  video consultation to get a better sense of me and ask any questions that feel important to you.

I am currently only offering online therapy.