Alison E Brown Occupational Therapist

Alison is a perinatal and infant mental health (PIMH) clinician, and endorsed mental health occupational therapist, with 10+ years experience working with adults in the public mental health sector. She provides PIMH services to individuals, families and groups, offering in-clinic appointments at the Newcastle Perinatal Place, and home-visits, Telehealth or community-based appointments through her private practice The Safe Embrace. Alison is a warm and compassionate person. She provides a welcoming space, and knows the importance of co-creating felt-safety with her clients. Her approach is grounded in developmental and attachment theories, and occupational science. She has a strong understanding of adaptive responses to stress and trauma, nervous system function and state change, embodied sensory-motor approaches, and somatic trauma resolution. Alison's special interest is supporting individuals and families who have experienced trauma, disruption or distress while navigating and adjusting to the perinatal period. This unique time involves experiences and transitions that impact parents, babies and siblings, including: family planning, preconception, conception, pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and parenting alongside other roles. It also importantly includes all types of pregnancy & infant loss. Family members (including partners, babies, and children) are encouraged to attend appointments, where this aligns with the client’s needs and wishes. Alison has received intensive training in: * Perinatal & Infant Mental Health (including Circle of Security Parenting), * Integrated Prenatal & Perinatal Dynamics (for the prevention and treatment of perinatal distress and birth trauma in parents, babies and providers), and * Trauma & Attachment-informed Sensory-based Approaches for Occupational Therapy Practice. She is also trained in various Focused Psychological Strategies including: Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Solution Focused Brief Therapy. Alison currently offers: * Home-visits, telehealth, clinic & community-based appointments * Circle of Security Parenting programs * After-hours and weekend appointments (on request) * Family-inclusive appointments (partners, babies and children are welcome) * Various funding options (e.g. Medicare rebates for Focused Psychological Strategies via the Better Access to Mental Health program, private health insurance, and NDIS services for clients who are self-managed or plan-managed).