Dr Ali Graham

Overview

Ali is an accredited counsellor with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, and a registered social worker with the Northern Ireland Social Care Council.

She holds a PhD, LLB (Hons), MSc in Counselling and Therapeutic Communication, Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work, and Advanced Diploma in Person Centred Counselling.

Ali has been engaged in therapeutic work since 2002. Her practice has focused on engagement with marginalised and disadvantaged communities. Ali has worked for a wide range of organisations in the community/voluntary sector as both a counsellor and group therapist.  In addition to her work in Belfast, Ali has several years’ experience of therapeutic group facilitation with women experiencing homelessness in Boston and San Francisco. Ali’s counselling approach could broadly be defined as integrative, with a strong humanistic base.

Before taking up the post in Ulster University, Ali worked as a lecturer in two Higher Education institutions. She is an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.  Ali enjoys teaching and seeks to create a supportive and interactive space for students to learn.

Ali’s primary research interests lie in exploring mental health issues from an interdisciplinary and social justice perspective. Her research is informed by transformative and collaborative approaches that seek to empower vulnerable groups within society.