Meet Alanah
Alanah Reilly (nee Dobinson) (she/her) is a senior dual-accredited Exercise Physiologist and Sports Scientist (AEP, AES, Hons.), published author, clinical supervisor and the founder and director of Autonomy in Movement. Alanah holds advanced and expert titles in trauma-informed care and eating disorder recovery in the
What is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist?
According to Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA), an Accredited Exercise Physiologst (AEP) is a university qualified allied health professional whose role is to help design, deliver and evaluate clinically safe and effective movement and education interventions for people living with acute, sub-acute and chronic medical conditions, injuries and/or varying abilities.
AEPs support people living with psychological, musculoskeletal, metabolic, respiratory/pulmonary, neurological, immunological, and other conditions engage in safe and life-enhancing movement for which there is evidence it may help improve clinical status and quality of life.
AEPs are dual accredited, holding the foundational AES accreditation (exercise scientist) in addition to their AEP accreditation (exercise physiology). AEP services are recognised and rebated by government and private organisations including Medicare, DVA, NDIS, Work Cover, private health funds and other institutions.
AIM offers inclusive 1:1, group, face-to-face and Telehealth exercise physiology services nationally and internationally, as well as professional education and resources for clinicians and organisations.
What do 1:1 consults involve?
General Overview
Individual sessions with AIM help you explore and engage in movement that is sustainable and life-enhancing for you. Sessions, facilitated by Alanah, are available in person or nationally via Telehealth, and can be either once-off or part of a 5-10+ session series. The content covered is informed by both theoretical and practical evidence, including trauma-informed, person-centred, strengths-based, neurodivergence-affirming, size-inclusive, and eating disorder-informed approaches. In addition to these frameworks, we also consider the science of your movement, recognising its complexity and how it interacts with relevant factors such as physiology, pathophysiology, biomechanics, medications, nutrition status, current and historical physical activity levels, presence of injuries and illness, presence of conditions and symptoms, personal goals, lifestyle factors, daily demands, access to resources, and more.
Movement Explained
Movement, scientifically known as physical activity , is an umbrella term for all motion produced by the musculoskeletal system (i.e. our muscles, bones, joints, tendons, etc). Movement exists across two subcategories: exercise and incidental activity. The term exercise refers to the planned, structured, repetitive and purposeful engagement in movement, for the purpose of improving or maintaining quality of life, health, fitness and/or performance (e.g. physical rehabilitation programs, workouts, etc). In contrast, incidental activity involves all other movement that occurs as part of our daily life, including household responsibilities, work, school, personal care, leisure, etc.
The concept of movement is highly nuanced and dynamic, existing at the intersection of physical, emotional, cognitive, and social experiences - much like a Venn diagram where these aspects overlap and influence each other. Balancing both the quality of our movement - our thoughts, emotions, and beliefs - and the quantitative aspects - our physical engagementis essential. Depending on the context, movement can be interpreted as a positive stimulus that helps us thrive physically and emotionally, or a negative stimulus that feels more like survival and contributes to negative outcomes. Finding the former type of movement requires us to ask not just how much movement, but what kind, when, and why?
Treatment Details
As part of this process, we honour each person’s intersectional identities and adapt movement to suit individual needs, whether through manualised treatment, a flexible approach, or a blend of both. Sessions may be part theory, part practical, or alternate between the two, incorporating experiential learning, psychoeducation, movement science, rehabilitation programs, questionnaires, assessments, reports, and tailored programs to deepen understanding and engagement. Sessions may involve trauma-informed, enjoyable movement, personalised programs or classes, or trying new movement experiences with a focus on values, quality, and individual preferences. For some, the focus may be on identifying and modifying factors that impact our movement or well-being, such as excess engagement or avoidance, challenges with recovery or nutrition, difficulties with rest or moving at all, or challenges with injuries, illnesses, body image, pain, fatigue, and other conditions and symptoms. Regardless of where we currently find ourselves, we can always find empowering strategies that support movement to feel more safe, sustainable, and life-enhancing.
Many frameworks can guide movement-based work, but one that encompasses most key principles is the Life-Enhancing Movement Framework (LEMF). This framework supports engagement in movement that enhances rather than compromises quality of life, helping to:
1. Promote a base of safety and risk reduction strategies, supporting physical, emotional, and social stability.
2. Build a personalised movement toolbox comprised of experiential learning, psychoeducation, movement science, rehabilitation programs, questionnaires, assessments, reports, and tailored programs integrating multiple perspectives.
3. Promote individualised movement engagement based on personal needs and preferences.
4. Facilitate life-enhancing outcomes, including values-aligned movement that feels purposeful and sustainable.
Sessions take place in private consult rooms, flexible movement spaces, or via Telehealth. AIM offers both individual and group sessions, including Reclaiming Movement, Reclaiming Movement: Strength, our 8-weekly trauma informed Movement Excursion Group. We also maintain correspondence with your consented clinical team members, such as your doctor, psychologist, dietitian, psychiatrist, etc., to support collaborative care.
What do group classes and excursions involve?
Reclaiming Movement
A foundational, peer-led class in a private, trauma-informed space, designed for people of all abilities to build a positive relationship with movement. It includes a warm-up, several movement stations focused on enhancing mobility, strength, balance, coordination and flexibility, and a cool-down. Attendees can modify all movements, take breaks, and engage at their own pace. Each class features a group check-in, movement activity, and reflective discussion.
Reclaiming Movement - Strength
An extension of the foundational class with a focus on strength training, held in a semi-public gym. It features several stations focussing on strengthening different muscle groups and joints, with movements modified each week. Attendees can navigate strength training in a supportive, informed group, and a group check-in, movement activity, and reflective discussion are included.
8-Weekly Trauma-Informed Movement Excursions
These off-site excursions, held every eight weeks, provide participants with the opportunity to explore new movement experiences as a group in different Brisbane locations. These occasions foster trying something new, community connection, offer an optional charity donation component, and include a group check-in before and during, and a reflective discussion after.
What does clinical supervision involve?
Clinical supervision provides a structured and supportive space for exercise physiologists and physiotherapists to refine their practice, build confidence, and navigate complex clinical cases. Alanah is an endorsed clinical supervisor and advisor to the CEO of her peak governing body, Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA), and holds advanced and expert titles in trauma-informed care and eating disorder support. Learn more about Alanah here.
Supervision sessions offer guidance, feedback, and education on utilising trauma-informed, neurodivergence-affirming, eating disorder informed and size-inclusive frameworks in your practice. Clients who may benefit from your enhanced awareness of these frameworks may include people who are neurodivergent, people who have experienced trauma, people living with an eating disorder, people living in a bigger body, the LGBTQIA+SB community, people from diverse cultural backgrounds, and people navigating a high allostatic load as a result of complex and co-occurring conditions.
Supervision can focus on reviewing clinical scenarios, exploring evidence-based treatment models and research, developing session structures, accessing customisable clinical templates, strengthening clinical competence and forging your professional direction. Sessions can be one-on-one or in a group, and can be scheduled regularly or as a one-off for specific projects. Supervision can provide a reflective space where clinicians can discuss challenges, gain new perspectives, and enhance their skills in delivering the highest degree of care.