"I soon came to realise that I had the most incredible choice to make, I could let my struggles be the reason for my failure or I could make them the reason for my success. My darkest days are some of my greatest assets. Deepening self awareness and attunement of all parts of self is my hope for my clients, from this place I believe authentic growth is not only possible it's unavoidable."
Welcome my name is Fiona Dawson. I am a qualified and registered Gestalt Therapist, registered Australian Online Therapist, Senior Drug and Alcohol Counsellor and Dual Diagnosis Mental Health Clinician. I am also trained in Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT).
In my formal education I have studied in universities, institutions and communities for over 10 years. Providing me with amazing opportunities, information, insight, instruction and growth. However, above all else I feel life has gifted me my greatest education of all. I am an experiential learner. For me to have full faith in recovery, growth, life, love and the strength of the human heart I have had to walk my own path. I am my greatest challenge and my greatest success. I feel it is my experience of my own humanity, connection and healing that inspires me and gives me faith in the process when sitting with another on their journey.
My style
My therapeutic style is compassionate, empowering, holistic and can be a bit of fun too. All my clients are unique. No one style or approach works for everyone. However what I do find to be consistently fundamental to the success of therapy is the safe, attuned, responsive and flexible therapeutic relationship I am committed to creating with my clients.
In our therapeutic work I am able to employ various modalities grounded in Gestalt Therapy to help my clients gain a deeper awareness and acceptance of their whole self. From this place, a greater flexibility and choice-fullness in the clients ways of being and engaging with the world is fostered, inviting greater peace, contentment, meaning, purpose and joy into the lives of those I work with.
My Experience
I have over 11 years experience in the community and not-for profit mental health and drug and alcohol (AOD) treatment sector, and have been working in my private psychotherapy practice since 2015.
I have worked in counselling roles in the community for dual diagnosis and Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Treatment organisations and in the mens prison at the Metropolitan Remand Centre. I have run psycho-education and AOD programs in the Metropolitan Remand Centre, a community based 9 week rehabilitation program, as well as inpatient Detoxification facilities.
I have run meditation and mindfulness groups and mother and baby education programs within the Mother and Baby Detoxification unit at ReGen. I have also counselled people with eating disorders and relationship issues.
I have worked in a Gestalt Therapy clinic for two years counselling a wide range of clients from 2013-2015 and have been working in private practice since 2015.
Formal Education and Registrations
GANZ member and PACFA registered
2018 - Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy
2017 - Acceptance Commitment Therapy and Trauma
2017 - Advanced Training in Acceptance Commitment Training
2017 - Introduction to Acceptance Commitment Therapy
2015 - Advanced Certificate in Relational Gestalt Therapy (4 years)
2013 - Dual Diagnosis Training (Core Competencies)
2012 - Introduction to Working with Couples, The Bouverie Centre
2011 - Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drug Work
2010 - Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) at Swinburne University of Technology.