CHRONIC ILLNESS
COUNSELLING & SUPPORT
About
Hi, I'm Alison. I am a chronic illness counsellor with a Bachelor of Social Work and the founder of Chronic Illness Counselling and Support.
I bring over ten years of lived experience navigating complex, multi-system chronic illness and years of experience providing counselling support.
Living with interacting health conditions has given me a deep understanding of what it means to manage fatigue, unpredictability, identity changes and the emotional impact of long-term illness.
I understand how isolating it can feel when your experience is invisible, fluctuating or misunderstood.
My lived experience together with my professional training shapes the way I work — with patience, realism and a grounded understanding of the day-to-day realities of chronic illness.
My Approach
I work with individuals living with chronic illness, supporting them to navigate:
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Grief and loss
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Identity and capacity changes
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Fatigue and fluctuating energy levels
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Depression and anxiety related to chronic illness
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Medical trauma and dismissal
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Boundary setting and self-advocacy
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Managing guilt and expectations around reduced capacity
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Processing anger or resentment related to illness
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Parenting with chronic illness
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The impact of illness on relationships
Sessions are paced with care and respect for fluctuating health and energy levels, and are available online across Australia.
Professional Background
I hold a Bachelor of Social Work and have specialised my counselling practice in chronic and complex health conditions.
I am an Accredited Social Worker with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) and bring professional training together with lived experience to support people navigating chronic illness.
My background in social work informs my understanding of the broader impacts of illness — including family systems, work, access to care and social pressures. Chronic illness affects far more than the body; it reshapes life in layered and meaningful ways.
If you are looking for support from someone who understands the realities of chronic illness, you are welcome to book a free 20-minute introductory session.