Anna Allison
Sex Therapist, Couples Therapist, Trauma Therapist - BSW, MScMed(SRH) (in progress)
Anna Allison (she/her) is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker, counsellor and psychotherapist, couples therapist and sex therapist supporting people through intimacy, trauma and relationship difficulties. She works with individuals and couples, with a particular interest in how attachment and past experiences shape intimacy, sexuality and the way we connect with ourselves and others.
Areas of specialisation:
Anna works with individuals and couples who are looking to improve their relationships and sexual wellbeing and who may be experiencing the effects of trauma on relationships, sexuality and intimacy. This can include difficulty trusting or feeling close to a partner, recurring conflict, sexual anxiety, low desire or differences in desire, pain during sex, and difficulties with arousal or orgasm. Anna is particularly interested in how early relationships shape the ways we protect ourselves, connect with others and experience our own bodies.
What's it like to be in a session with me:
Anna is warm, curious, calm and down to earth. You can expect space to talk openly about experiences that may feel difficult or embarrassing, without pressure to find the right words. Anna will listen carefully, ask thoughtful questions and help you reflect and notice patterns at a pace that feels manageable.
Qualifications and registrations:
Anna is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker with the Australian Association of Social Workers and holds a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Sydney. Anna is currently completing a Master of Science in Medicine (Sexual and Reproductive Health – Psychosexual Therapy) at the University of Sydney. Anna is trained in EMDR and a full member of EMDRAA.
Counselling frameworks:
Anna’s work is grounded in attachment theory and trauma informed care. Depending on your needs Anna will draw on EMDR, Emotionally Focused Therapy for couples and individuals, parts work, cognitive and behavioural approaches (CBT and DBT), mindfulness and psychosexual therapy. Anna will also consider the wider relationships and experiences that shape how you see yourself and relate to others.
Therapeutic approach:
Anna is interested in understanding what a response has meant in your life before trying to change it. For example, withdrawing, people pleasing or feeling anxious during intimacy may have developed as ways to stay safe. Together, we can explore these patterns with compassion, process experiences that continue to affect you, and find empowering ways to feel more connected to yourself and the people who matter to you. My approach is collaborative, sex positive and tailored to what you want from therapy.
A bit about me as a person:
In Anna’s personal life you will find her either hyperfocusing on a craft project, spending time with her family, enjoying the outdoors, going for a run or spending hours in second hand shops.