Author Archives: alisonball

In the last year or so I find that I am gradually moving toward retirement. Maybe it is entirely due to aging but also due to coming to a great involvement with a new interest. And perhaps the two are … Continue reading →

Many years ago I asked a friend of mine who was wanting to practice her new found skill of calligraphy to write out for me one of the wise pieces from Kahill Gibran’s “The Prophet”. I had liked it for … Continue reading →

Today I was talking with a couple of colleagues about a particular dynamic frequently observed in our clients and indeed, amongst the general population. To my mind it is a dynamic that is a core issue for many of people … Continue reading →

Last year I attended as I often do, the Open Day of the Australian Psychoanalytical Society. The speakers I hear at their meetings are often the most inspirational I ever hear both in terms of their thoughfulness and the range … Continue reading →

On December 12th, some of the former students of the Australian College of Contemporary Somatic Psychotherapy (ACCSP) organized a tribute evening for the Founder and Director of the College, Jeff Barlow. Although the College will continue Jeff has recently decided … Continue reading →

Psychotherapists of my ilk are frequently talking about “boundaries”- In the first place what are they? Does someone have too rigid or far too pourous boundaries? Why does it matter anyway? Is their sense of self compromised because they don’t … Continue reading →

I am not looking at the current market situation from an economical point of view as I am not an economist; however I can recognize panic when I see one. The situation in Australia seems to me to be much … Continue reading →

A couple of weeks ago I attended the three day conference of the ANZCP- Section of Psychotherapy here in Melbourne. I like these conferences of the psychiatrists who are seeking to do more than just medicate people who come to … Continue reading →

As is evident from my name and if you talk to me, from my accent, I am one of these people who, many years ago, made Australia their preferred home. Being a “stranger in a strange land” is not the … Continue reading →

Many people have expressed their views regarding similarities and differences between individual counselling and individual psychotherapy. So I would like to share my thoughts in this matter as well. My thoughts are based on my clinical experiences working with both … Continue reading →