Welcome to Dovetail Therapy
Healing begins with acceptance. At Dovetail Therapy I help guide the client through the process of resetting their emotional landscape - so they can thrive with resilience, clarity and self-compassion.
Accept. Reset. Thrive.
Emotional distress can affect anyone anytime...
For Children (to parents/carers)
For Children (to parents/carers)
For Children (to parents/carers)
Is your child struggling with big feelings they can't put into words?
Do you notice your child becoming more withdrawn, worried or acting out?
Are fears, tantrums, or school struggles leaving your child overwhelmed?
Do you wish your child had healthy tools to manage stress and emotions?
For Teenagers
For Children (to parents/carers)
For Children (to parents/carers)
Do you feel pressured to be perfect but never good enough?
Is social media, school stress, or friendships weighing heavily on your mind?
Do you feel misunderstood, isolated, or stuck in your own head?
Are you ready to find a safe space where you can be yourself?
For Adults
For Children (to parents/carers)
For Adults
Is anxiety keeping you from living the life you want?
Do you feel stuck in cycles of stress, worry, or burnout?
Are your relationships leaving you more drained than supported?
Do you long to feel more balanced, calm, and connected?
About Dovetail Therapy
With over 35 years' experience in education, spanning from working with young children to teenagers, I have seen first-hand the challenges individuals face as they navigate life's complexities. My journey has always been driven by a deep commitment to support others—whether it is in the classroom, through pastoral care, or by advocating for mental health and wellbeing. As a Behaviour and Pastoral Lead, Senior Mental Health Lead, and Health Advocate and Wellbeing Lead for Staff in a primary school, I have been privileged to help shape environments that nurture growth, resilience, and emotional wellbeing.
I am trained as an Advanced Drawing and Talking Practitioner and have used Drawing and Talking to support children since 2016—a role that has allowed me to dive deeper into supporting those facing emotional distress, trauma, and anxiety. Over time, I expanded my practice to include Sand Play, a powerful tool for helping people express and process complex emotions through the use of symbolic play. This combination of therapeutic approaches has enriched my ability to connect with and support individuals of all ages in meaningful ways.
The decision to create Dovetail Therapy came from my desire to offer a safe, nurturing space for individuals to explore their emotions, heal, and build the strength they need to thrive. I have always believed that we can piece together the different aspects of ourselves—no matter how fragmented they may feel—into something whole, strong, and resilient. This practice was born out of a deep respect for the journey of self-discovery and healing, and a passion for helping people (whether children, teenagers, or adults) find their way back to balance and wellbeing.
Professional Affiliations
Testimonials
"You have given me my child back.
When I think of how he was when he first started working with you, to how he is now, I can't believe it.
He is more confident, a lot more happier and he talks to me about how he is feeling instead of keeping it all in."
A parent of a KS2 child.
“I don’t know how
Drawing and Talking
has helped me.
I just know that it has.
I am more confident now.
I feel like I can do what I want
to do and I’ll be O.K.
I might be nervous
but it won’t stop me anymore.”
Teenager
“(Name) coming to Drawing and Talking has had a massive impact on our whole family.
Our house is a happier place.
We’re not walking on eggshells all the time. Everyone is more relaxed.
We’re not spending every night talking about issues that have upset (Name) during the day, as he is more resilient and able to let things go.”
Parent
“Alison has been supporting my 10 year old daughter for the past 3 months and my goodness, what an impact and difference it has made!
Alison welcomed her with open arms and made her feel so welcomed and comfortable. My daughter is more confident, more resilient and is able to better deal with uncomfortable situations.
The combination of
“Alison has been supporting my 10 year old daughter for the past 3 months and my goodness, what an impact and difference it has made!
Alison welcomed her with open arms and made her feel so welcomed and comfortable. My daughter is more confident, more resilient and is able to better deal with uncomfortable situations.
The combination of a skilled, friendly, caring and warm practitioner and the drawing and talking therapy has made a huge impact and we can’t thank Alison enough!
Highly recommended.
Thank you Alison.”
“I feel like I have our family back.
We can go out as a family now.
Just simple things like going to the shops without having to make arrangements for her to be looked after because she would just kick off.
I am more confident taking the kids out on my own now because she can handle her emotions better and is willing to talk, rather than
“I feel like I have our family back.
We can go out as a family now.
Just simple things like going to the shops without having to make arrangements for her to be looked after because she would just kick off.
I am more confident taking the kids out on my own now because she can handle her emotions better and is willing to talk, rather than kicking off.
We even went for a picnic the other day and we haven’t done that for ages.”
Parent
“I started coming because I used to punch and kick people.
I used to break stuff.
When I first came I was very nervous because I didn’t know what it was really about, but after my first session I wasn’t as nervous and then I started to enjoy coming.
I knew I kept getting angry a lot but coming here has helped me calm myself down.
I tell pe
“I started coming because I used to punch and kick people.
I used to break stuff.
When I first came I was very nervous because I didn’t know what it was really about, but after my first session I wasn’t as nervous and then I started to enjoy coming.
I knew I kept getting angry a lot but coming here has helped me calm myself down.
I tell people if I am starting to get angry now, instead of punching or breaking things. I can explain how I feel and what has happened and people listen.
When I first started coming here I was happy about 4/10.
Now I am happy 10/10 because I am not as angry as much.
I am feeling proud of myself because I have done a lot of work and changed my behaviour.”
Key Stage 2 Pupil
“Drawing and Talking has helped me very much.
I am less angry now.
I can stay calm.
I am happier now
than before I came.
I think it’ll be helpful
to other kids who have
anxiety or are angry a lot,
because it helped me.
Thank you.”
KS2 child
"A thousand and one thanks to you!
You have given me new courage.
I can face anything now."
YR 5 Child
“Drawing and Talking has helped me because I’m less worried now.
I used to be worried all
the time, about everything.
I find it much easier to sleep without any worries.
I’m a lot happier.
I smile now.”
“Drawing and Talking has helped me by settling me down.
I feel calmer now.
My worries were worse before I came, now they are not as many.
I sometimes get worries
but I stay calm with my
worries now."
7 year old
“Coming here has really helped me.
I feel happier now.
It’s helped me with my nasty memories.”
Key Stage 2 Pupil
“I liked coming here.
I aren’t as upset and
sad as I used to be when I first came.
I had so much energy
I used to go bzzzzzzz all over the place, but now I can control myself.”
5year old
Important information
Enhanced DBS Checked
I hold a full, up-to-date Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate, allowing me to work safely with children, teenagers, and vulnerable adults.
(Available to view upon request).
Confidentiality and Safeguarding
What you or your child share in our sessions is confidential, and I aim to provide a safe, private space for this therapeutic journey. However, as a practitioner, I adhere to safeguarding protocols. If a disclosure is made that indicates a risk of serious harm to anyone, I am legally obliged to report this to the relevant authorities. Wherever possible, I will discuss this with you first.
My Role and Scope of Practice
Please note that Drawing and Talking and Sand Play are therapeutic interventions at levels 1 and 2. They are intended to complement, not replace, the specialist work of CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) or clinical psychotherapy. As a practitioner, I offer early intervention and emotional support; I do not diagnose or treat severe clinical mental health conditions.
Contact Me
How to Reach Me
Email is the quickest and best way to contact me. As I am often working in education and pastoral care during the day, please drop me an email and I will get back to you as soon as possible.
I aim to respond to all enquiries within 24 hours.
Get in touch to take the first step to improving your mental health and wellbeing.
Dovetail Therapy
4, Beamish, County Durham. UK
Email: alison-dovetailtherapy@outlook.com Phone: 07553578830
Hours
Mon | 17:00 – 20:00 | |
Tue | 17:00 – 20:00 | |
Wed | 17:00 – 20:00 | |
Thu | 17:00 – 20:00 | |
Fri | 17:00 – 20:00 | |
Sat | By Appointment | |
Sun | By Appointment |