Mercedes Alia, AASW

Mercedes Alia is an AASW social worker with six years of experience helping people facing relationship strain, addiction concerns, parenting stress and worries about self-esteem. She offers a calm, listening presence and practical support so people can take small, manageable steps forward.

Her approach is collaborative and down-to-earth. Conversations focus on everyday thoughts and habits that shape feelings and choices. Sessions aim to make patterns clearer and to try new ways of responding that feel doable in real life.

Mercedes draws on several therapeutic styles to match what each person needs. She uses attachment-based ideas to look at relationship patterns, cognitive behavioural techniques to test and shift unhelpful thoughts, and client-centred listening to keep the work grounded in the person’s priorities.

She also uses motivational interviewing to help when people feel stuck about change, and narrative therapy to separate a person from the stories that limit them. These approaches are mixed in practical ways rather than as abstract theory.

Conversations often include concrete homework or short experiments to try between sessions. The focus is on building small wins that fit into busy lives. Mercedes works in English, Albanian and Italian and asks people to select the Start Therapy button to begin with a short matching questionnaire and schedule sessions.

How these therapeutic approaches translate to online work

Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early and current relationships shape how people connect and react. Online sessions can use this approach to notice patterns in close relationships and practise different responses during conversations. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) focuses on spotting unhelpful thoughts and testing small behaviour changes to reduce distress. In an online setting this often becomes practical exercises and brief homework to try between sessions. Client-Centred Therapy emphasises being heard and respected; the therapist follows the person’s lead and helps them find their own solutions.

Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the work. The therapist will talk about goals and preferences and suggest ways of working that match those aims. This is a collaborative process where adjustments are made as clarity grows about what helps.

The biography does not specify which session formats are offered, so confirm current options before booking. Many people find online appointments useful because they can fit a session into a busy day, avoid travel time and choose quieter surroundings that help them concentrate. Others prefer a shorter phone check-in when time is tight or lower bandwidth is needed. Talk to the therapist when you book to pick a session arrangement that suits your schedule and needs.