After completing a three year undergraduate program in psychology in 1990, Alison worked as an assistant psychologist for several years in the NHS before gaining a position on the Clinical Psychology Doctoral Degree Course at Manchester University. She graduated from there in 2000 with a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (D. Clin. Psych.), and worked in various specialties in the NHS in the Manchester area. She moved to Cumbria in 2006 and now works full time in adult mental health services in NHS Dumfries and Galloway. She also has a postgraduate diploma (PGd) in Advanced Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Practice at Cumbria University.

Accreditation
She has Chartered Psychologist status (CPsychol) with the British Psychological Society (BPS), and is registered with the Health Professions Council (HPC) as a Clinical Psychologist. She is also a member of the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy (BABCP), and the BPS Division of Clinical Psychology (DCP).

Code of Ethics
Alison adheres to the BPS Professional Practice Guidelines, and Code of Ethics & Conduct.