Alison qualified in 1990 as a Registered General Nurse. She worked in Craigavon Area Hospital and the Royal Victoria Hospital Belfast, specialising in the care of patients during and after critical surgery. Alison undertook a BA in Business Studies to further her management skills, but her approach was always to consider the holistic needs of a patient, recognising that confidence and self-belief have much to contribute to the healing process.

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Following a family and career break, Alison took the opportunity to develop her interests in complementary therapy. She trained with the Society of Brief Strategic Therapies and obtained a Distinction in Clinical Hypnotherapy, and a year later completed her Foundation Degree in Counselling which she was awarded with Commendation.​