Kobie Allison

Psychologist / Director

Kobie is a compassionate, warm and dedicated psychologist who has experience working with children and families, adolescents, and adults. The services she provides are evidence-based, and she maintains her expertise and professionalism through ongoing peer and clinical supervision, and continuing professional development.

Generally her counselling approach moves through three inter-related stages; hearing and responding to the client’s story, mapping the possibilities and goal setting, action planning and closure. Her approach to counselling is gentle, compassionate, curious, gently challenging and attuned to what is happening for the client in the present moment. Kobie’s experiences in the field of psychology have allowed her to observe clients develop a much stronger understanding of themselves and of others.

Kobie has worked as a counsellor in a variety of settings, including as a therapist for children and parents who have experienced grief and loss and anxiety related difficulties, and for children and adult survivors who have been abused physically, emotionally and/or sexually. Kobie has a special interest in working with children and families, and complex trauma. Kobie finds therapeutic work invigorating and is inspired by the bravery of clients to engage in the work.

Area of Interest
Kobie’s area of interest when it comes to her therapeutic approach is predominantly psychodynamic, influenced by a therapeutic approach known as Self Psychology, or ‘the Psychology of the Self’. This approach is a means of understanding how people develop a clear and cohesive sense of self, exploring their own ambitions and ideals, enabling them to grow to fulfil their potential. Disruptions to the development of the self are thought to be the foundation of many emotional, psychological, and interpersonal difficulties.

Kobie is also the founder of Modern Minds, where she works alongside a range of dedicated and compassionate health practitioners ranging from Acupuncturists, Naturopaths, Social Workers and Nutritionists and Dieticians. Click here to learn more about Modern Minds.

“Self psychology sees man as born strong, not weak, because it takes account of the fact that he is born into the psychological matrix of responsive self-objects, just as he is born into the physiological matrix of an atmosphere that contains oxygen. To examine the baby psychologically in isolation from the self-objects (who indeed are a part of him and of whom he is a part, from the beginning) would be just as absurd as it would be to examine it physiologically in a vacuum, i.e., without oxygen (which indeed is simultaneously ‘inside’ and ‘outside’ of him physically, as are the self-objects simultaneously ‘inside’ and ‘outside’ of him psychologically). Being reflected by the self-objects (mirroring), being able to merge with their calmness and power (idealization), sensing the silent presence of their essential alikeness (twin-ship), the baby is strong, healthy, and vigorous.”By Heinz Kohut from (1984), How Does Analysis Cure?. Ed. A. Goldberg & P. Stepansky. Chicago: University of Chicago Press (p.478).

Qualifications

Master of Psychology (Clinical)
Master of Applied Psychology (Counselling)
Bachelor of Psychology (with Honours)

Memberships and Affiliations

Registration, Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
Member, Australian Psychological Society (APS)
Member, APS Psychoanalytic Orientated Psychotherapy Interest Group
Member, Golden Key International Honours Society for Academic Excellence

Recent Conference Publications

• Allison, K. L., & De Gioannis, A. (2017). Self-care and Self-compassion among Therapists: Enhacning Self-Regulation and Working Alliance. The International Conference of Neuropsychotherapy, May 2017.

• Allison, K. L. Amanda: Fear of Abandonment. In P.J. Rossouw, (ed.) (2014). Neuropsychotherapy. Theoretical underpinnings and clinical applications. Sydney, Mediros.

• Rossouw, P. J & Allison, K. L. (2014). Enhancing therapeutic progress through controllable incongruence – an interpersonal neurobiological perspective. The 28th International Congress of Applied Psychology, Paris, France 8-13 July.

• Allison, K. L., & Rossouw, P. J. (2013). Brain based trauma intervention: The role of safety in facilitating an enriched therapeutic environment. The International Conference of Attachment and Trauma Informed Practice. Melbourne. 13,14 August.

• Allison, K. L., & Rossouw, P. J. (2013). The therapeutic alliance. Exploring the concept of “safety” from a neuropsychotherapeutic perspective. APS National Counselling Conference. 21-24 February. Melbourne, Australia.

• Allison, K. L., & Rossouw, P.J. (2013). The therapeutic alliance: Exploring the concept of “safety” from a neuropsychotherapeutic perspective. International Journal of Neuropsychotherapy. 1, 21-29 doi: 10.12744/ijnpt.2013.0021-0029