Therapists in the Therapy Chair

Meet Alpha, our new psychotherapist and counsellor. We have interviewed Alpha to give you more an idea of who she is as a person and as a therapist, and whether she’d be a good fit for you. If you’d like to meet Alpha, you can book an intitial meet and greet session with her in Brisbane City, Ashgrove, or online from the comfort of your own home. Also important, if you don’t feel like it’s a good match, let your therapist know, so they can help you find the right psychologist or therapist. 

Alpha, what initially drew you to the field of Counselling and Psychotherapy?

My mother, a psychologist, was studying psychology while pregnant with me, so I like to think my interest in the field started before I was even born. My true fascination began at university in Mexico, where I delved into psychoanalytic subjects focused on uncovering the unconscious reasons for human behaviour. This fascination deepened during my internship when I saw the practical applications of what I had learned. I enjoy exploring and understanding the root causes of suffering, finding meaning in it, and helping people alleviate their pain. Using approaches like Gestalt Therapy, I assist clients in gaining different perspectives on their situations, which proves very effective.

What do you like best about providing therapy?

I love witnessing people develop increased self-confidence, happiness, and healthier relationships as they achieve their dreams. My passion lies in helping people heal from the impacts of childhood trauma, such as emotional, sexual, physical, and narcissistic abuse, as well as abandonment and emotionally unavailable parents. The best part of my job is establishing a deep relationship of acceptance, respect, empathy, authenticity, and honesty with my clients. In this therapeutic process, I find immense joy in seeing clients transform from suffering to consciousness and empowerment. Watching them build better relationships, excel in their jobs, set new goals, and achieve them is incredibly fulfilling.

I believe each person has their own knowledge, experiences, and wisdom, which we welcome in our work together. Clients can find the best responses within themselves by honouring and observing their thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations.

Being open-minded and comfortable with diversity, I strive to develop a high-quality connection with my clients, giving them authority in the therapeutic process. I respect and honour their wisdom and expertise in their own lives.

My experience as an immigrant woman of colour allows me to connect deeply with similar individuals in a foreign land. I understand the challenges of starting from scratch, feeling like you don’t belong, and experiencing discrimination, which can be traumatic. I am empathetic towards the struggles migrants face, drawing from my own experiences of diversity and its impact on mental health. These challenges often manifest as “othering,” exclusion, and isolation, directly impacting mental health, confidence, and self-worth.

Despite losing a sister, facing domestic violence, and experiencing discrimination in a foreign country far from family support, I remained determined to achieve my goals. These experiences have made me stronger and more resilient.

Which are your favourite therapies you use and why?

I graduated with a master’s degree in Gestalt therapy in Australia, which is a holistic and humanistic approach. Gestalt therapy emphasises relationship building, viewing the therapist-client relationship as central to the therapeutic process. Authentic, open, and honest interactions between therapist and client facilitate healing and personal growth. The process is co-created, relying on presence, mutual respect, and authenticity to promote a genuine connection.

Gestalt therapy also takes a holistic view of the individual, considering all aspects of a person’s life, including their relationships, social setting, emotions, physical surroundings, and transgenerational influences. It is experiential, using techniques like role-playing, the “empty chair” method, and bodywork to help clients explore their experiences more deeply and integrate different aspects of themselves. By listening to the wisdom of the body, we can achieve significant insights.

I also use somatic therapies like Sensorimotor Therapy, which integrates body awareness and movement with traditional talk therapy. This approach recognises that trauma and stress are stored not just in our thoughts and emotions but also in our bodies. By paying attention to bodily sensations and movements, we can access and process deeply held emotions and memories for discovery and healing.

Lastly, I employ Family Constellations, an approach that identifies and addresses hidden family dynamics influencing present-day behaviour and emotional health. This method is based on the idea that trauma and behaviour patterns can be unconsciously passed down through generations.

What do you like to do outside of work?

Outside of work, family and friends are very important to me. I often join a running group for morning runs and enjoy staying active by going on bushwalks. I also love travelling and learning new things.