About The Embodiment Practice
The Embodiment Practice was created from the belief that meaningful healing does not need to be confined to a clinic room—or delivered through a one-size-fits-all approach. It is a trauma-informed practice where therapy, body-based approaches and thoughtfully chosen environments come together to offer support that feels personal, collaborative and grounded.
Led by Clinical Social Worker and EMDR therapist Ali Fish, the practice is intentionally connected to a wider community of care. Ali collaborates with therapists, allied health professionals, breathwork facilitators, retreat hosts and wellness practitioners, recognising the value of learning from one another and bringing different forms of support together. Ali also works within wellness and retreat spaces across Australia, building genuine relationships, continuing to learn and creating tailored experiences that reflect the people, purpose and setting. This may include individual therapy, EMDR intensives, breathwork sessions, retreat collaborations or packages that thoughtfully bring several elements together.
Whether the work takes place in Wollongong, online, at a retreat or within another wellness space, the intention remains the same: to offer therapy with you, not to you—support that honours your story, your body, your choices and your pace.
Hi, I'm Ali.
I know how tough it can feel to ask for support, especially if you have had to be the strong one, have not felt understood in previous therapy, or are unsure where to begin.
I offer a warm, thoughtful and down-to-earth space where we can slow things down, get curious about what is happening and work out what support makes sense for you.
Your responses have a story.
Trauma is not only an event from the past. It can shape how safe you feel in your body, what you expect from relationships, how you respond to stress and what you believe about yourself.
It may show up as anxiety, panic, shame, numbness, perfectionism, chronic busyness, difficulty trusting, memory gaps, dissociation, sleep problems, emotional overwhelm or feeling disconnected from yourself.
I do not see these responses as defects. Often, they began as intelligent ways of surviving something that felt too much, too fast, too early, too long or too alone. Therapy creates room to understand those responses and develop more choice in the present.
Your pace. Your story. Our work together.
My approach is collaborative, attachment-focused and trauma-informed. That means your consent is ongoing, your boundaries matter, and we pay attention to the relationship between us as well as the tools we use.
We may use EMDR therapy, parts work, body awareness, nervous-system education, imagery, resourcing, breathwork or practical strategies. We do not use a technique simply because it is available. We decide together what fits, what does not and what needs to change. There is no requirement to move into trauma processing. Preparation, safety and a trusting therapeutic relationship are meaningful work in their own right.
Professional background
Ali Fish (she/her) is a Clinical Social Worker, Accredited Mental Health Social Worker, trauma and EMDR therapist, breathwork facilitator and EMDRAA Accredited Practitioner.
Ali has worked across government, community and therapeutic settings, supporting people impacted by complex trauma, sexual assault and childhood abuse, institutional harm, disability, medical trauma, and experiences within defence and veteran systems.
Her background includes work across three Australian Royal Commissions: Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability, and Defence and Veteran Suicide. This work shaped her understanding of how trauma, relationships, power and systems can impact the way people feel about themselves, others and the world around them.
Ali has completed advanced training in EMDR, Relational Integrative EMDR, parts and ego-state approaches, dissociation, somatic practices and breathwork. She brings these approaches together in a way that is trauma-informed, attachment-focused, neuro-affirming and gender-affirming—always adapting therapy to each person’s needs, preferences and pace.
As an AASW member, Ali practises within the AASW Code of Ethics and Practice Standards. She also takes part in regular clinical supervision and ongoing professional development, allowing her practice to continue growing and evolving.
Qualifications:
Bachelor of Social Work
Graduate Diploma of Counselling
Masters of Counselling
EMDRAA practitioner
Breathwork practitioner
Accredited Mental Health Social Worker
People I work with
I work with adults and young people aged 16+ experiencing:
complex trauma and post-traumatic stress
childhood sexual abuse, sexual assault and family violence
attachment wounds, relationship trauma and betrayal
dissociation, DID and OSDD
institutional abuse and experiences of not being believed
medical trauma, chronic illness, disability and health-related stress
anxiety, panic, shame, low mood and emotional overwhelm
grief, major life changes and identity-related stress
workplace trauma, vicarious trauma and burnout
experiences connected with military service, emergency services or first-response work.
I also work with professionals, leaders and public-facing people who need therapy to be especially discreet, flexible and attentive to complex responsibilities.
In person and online
Appointments are offered in person in Wollongong on Dharawal Country and online using secure telehealth. Online appointments may be available across Australia and, where clinically and legally appropriate, for some people living overseas.
Journey into embodiment
Follow @theembodimentpractice_ for gentle education, practice updates and upcoming offerings.
Social media is not therapy or a crisis contact, and direct messages are not monitored continuously.
