I didn’t think my anxiety could change. I thought it was just who I was. My husband encouraged me to try and I picked Alyson because she seemed real when I watched her videos. I still have anxiety but it is Much less than it ever was. I find it easy to let things go and just be me.

Submitted April 23, 2024

*note this is from 5 years ago, Alyson may have changed but reading a review below I'm not sure she has. My main concern was she was too by the book and not flexible to adjust. It just surprise me to see here listed at #1*

It wasn't the right time for me, but I think it could certainly work for others. My 2 cents; from a non-psychologist.

Although I certainly found benefit, I don't believe it was effective as it could have been. We went through the process of CBT, then on to EMDR.

I believe I wasn't legitimizing past issues. The CBT did help me recognize some things, but the process felt cold, quick, and as though I had to come up with all the answers. I'm sure it can be more profound if you come to the conclusion yourself regarding the psychology behind someone's actions, but in a $190/50min session I sure felt the stress of not getting my money's worth rather than my own issues when I spent over a minute trying to understand the direction the psychologist was leading me to when it could have been said right away.

Then the therapist implemented EMDR shortly after I didn't feel the stresses associated with the issues we were working on because it wasn't real enough. So I brought my stress level from a 5? (out of 10) to 1.

Anyone dealing with PTSD from a traumatic event, this may* right for you.

In my case it was early childhood development; and I learned more & "felt" more from a Gabor Maté lecture than I did with 6 session with my assigned psychologist.

My last point; I continuously asked for homework that I could have done on my own, but nothing was ever offered. This is the wrong approach I believe, as something like "self authoring" suggested by my new Councillor has been amazing!

Submitted Sept. 26, 2023

I saw Alyson for about half a year. She was definitely nice and a good listener. I do not think her therapy was effective,however. I can compare the therapy I have had now with the therapy I had then, and I regret the time spent. When I was in therapy with Alyson, I had PTSD, and alcohol abuse disorder, GAD, none of which Alyson flagged. I also had a very dysfunctional relationship with my mother that Alyson never raised as problematic. I was put in an outpatient therapy program where all of this was flagged. I was advised to go to a 12-step program ands stop contact with my mother. I was just sad that I had spent so much time and money seeing Alyson who could have flagged these issues as problems for me to work on as I was unaware they were problems. She was very nice and personable which is where I think she gets the great reviews, but I do question her knowledge of family dynamics, childhoodtrauma, etc. I also remember at one time when doingEMDR she was texting someone. All in all, I would not recommend.

Submitted Feb. 8, 2023

Really listens. Good insites that sometimes hard to hear. Im getting better thank you Dr Howatt!

Submitted Dec. 17, 2020

I have been seeing Alyson for a couple of years now and she has been a tremendous help in understanding my emotional problems. Sometimes she makes connections between things I've told her a year ago, and recent things. It makes it clear that she reviews your notes and really takes your case seriously. I do believe she genuinely cares and you're not just a paycheque to her. I have emailed her on several occasions with problems between sessions and she has gotten back to me to book appointments outside of her normal business hours. She is honestly a lovely human being and it's no surprise that she shows up on here as the #1 psychologist in Edmonton.

Submitted Feb. 24, 2020

I feel very listened to with Alyson. Sometimes I feel like I just spill out everything in a mess and she some how pulls out what I’m feeling and concerned with in a way that just makes sense.

Submitted Oct. 7, 2019

Alyson in my opinion stuck to the book, but lacked the creativity to understand what I needed for me to truly understand my own trauma. The process felt rushed, this appointment was not at her current location but rather 2 years ago at Shift.

Submitted Oct. 2, 2019

Alyson is wonderful. She has helped me gain insight, create tools to help manage stress and anxiety, and heal. Her patience, respect, and professionalism has always made me feel comfortable. I rave about her to everyone, and highly recommend her.

Submitted Sept. 19, 2019

She’s a remarkable therapist. She’s got this way of understanding what I’m saying even when I’m not sure.

Submitted Sept. 2, 2019

It feels like a weight is lifted off my chest! Sooo glad to be done with that stupid anxiety!

Submitted May 12, 2019