Frequently Asked Questions

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?

Yes. We use “Zoom Healthcare”, an encrypted and secure platform. Telephone is also fine! We work with people all over Australia, and rebates still apply.

Booking frequency and duration is completely individualised to you! We understand that healthcare (and life) take a LOT of time and resources, so whatever works for you in terms of movement, goes!

• “Single Session Intervention”: 
  • As mentioned above, some people choose to book a once-off initial consult as a “Single Session Intervention”. This option can help us paint a picture of where things are at with your movement, and provides access to helpful resources to use with your existing support team. It can also take the pressure off committing to another clinician and area of health, and can provide you with some baseline support and direction. In addition to being believed, validated and supported, you will also receive collaborative and personalised movement recommendations, a summary of key themes pertaining to your movement, access to a complimentary resources booklet, and an in-depth letter will be sent to the members of your clinical team you consent to us contacting detailing our collaborative plan, inviting team support, etc. Future sessions absolutely can be booked but do not have to be! 

• Ongoing 1:1 sessions:
  • Your booking frequency will depend on what we collaboratively discuss at our initial consult, as well as the level of focus you wish to / have capacity to place on movement, your existing commitments, and other factors. Most importantly, we will absolutely work out a shared plan to suit you. As a guide, we recommend attending 5-15+ sessions, weekly for the first month then weekly to monthly thereafter. Sessions can be for 30 or 50min, depending on your capacity, and in-person or via Zoom. Sessions include both theoretical and practical components: the theory component covers key movement concepts and the practice component helps integrate these concepts into your life. Assessments and questionnaires are suggested to take place at the intake, session 4, session 8, and at the end.of our work together, with detailed reports provided,  to support your personalised movement care.

• Classes:
  • Our trauma-informed group movement classes are available to attend up to twice per week. Some people prefer a total of once a week, once a fortnight or once a month! We would discuss this at your first session.

• Excursions
  • Our trauma-informed group movement classes are available to attend up to twice per week. Some people prefer a total of once a week, once a fortnight or once a month! er. 

A university-educated movement professional (e.g. exercise physiologist, physiotherapist, physical therapist, etc) who is trained and experienced in evidence-informed, trauma-informed and mental health support can help people of all backgrounds, identities and abilities to engage in tailored movement and psychoeducation. The inclusion of movement support into healthcare, such as for people living with an eating disorder, persistent pain, persistent fatigue, mental health, and other long-term conditions, is becoming more and more accepted and integrated internationally.

A general framework of how this support is used is through the “Life Enhancing Movement Framework” (LEMF). The LEMF has recently (2024) been developed by Alanah and incorporates a range of evidence-based frameworks and principles to support a stepped model of care pertaining specifically to movement. The LEMF incorporates the five principles of trauma-informed principles, neurodivergent-affirming care, size inclusivity and social justice, Eating Disorder Safe Principles, and a range of other exercise physiology guidelines and principles. The LEMF is also informed by the incredible experts by experience Alanah has had the honour of working alongside for the past decade, as well as her own clinical insights and experience ”on the ground”.

The LEMF is central to life-enhancing movement support and prioritises three key steps:

1. Establish safety parameters and boundaries 
2. Build a tailored movement toolbox
3. Experience life-enhancing outcomes

Training and resources will be available in late 2025.

No. We believe strongly in supporting safety, choice, collaboration and harm-minimisation in movement, so however we can best support you to feel safe without causing additional distress is what we will collaboratively make a plan around. We can still discuss strategies, psychoeducation, recommendations, plans, do movement in-session, etc, however the wildly outdated and often harmful blanket recommendation of completely ceasing movement or taking it away is not only not evidence-based but is now considered unethical.

It is completely understandable and very common not to enjoy movement at times. Our culture does a less-than-optimal job of promoting it in a life-enhancing and enjoyable way, and it can easily become a double-edged sword. However, if you have the capacity and interest, you may feel curious about your relationship and engagement with movement and you may become interested in exploring if there is any possible way it can be part of your life in a more positive or even neutral way. After all, movement is something we already do and live with, and our relationship and engagement with it can predict quite significant outcomes regarding our quality of life, body image, mental health, social engagements,  relationship with food, sleep, energy, and more. 

In saying this, movement is absolutely not a moral obligation, and many people do not wish to explore or engage in it. However, some people feel they would Ike to try new ways of engaging and exisiting with it to facilitate life-enhancing outcomes, specific it to their unique needs, goals, values, means and preferences.

No. If weighing is part of your care (e.g. during recovery from an eating disorder, while living with heart failure to check for sudden fluid retention, etc), this can be done by other members of your clinical team. We support all people of all weights to move and can use other measures such as your Rate of Perceived Exertion, Talk Test, blood pressure, heart rate, blood glucose, oxygen saturation, pain/fatigue/psychological questionnaire scores, your emotions on the day, etc, to know how you are feeling and guide helpful movement.

Yes. Visit the Transport and Main Roads Journey Planner for specific modes of transport for you.

New Farm Clinic (inside Habitual Health Collective):

• Street parking: Free 2-4hr street parking is available outside the clinic and in surrounding streets.
• Private carpark (see photos below): For people requiring direct access to the movement space via a flat surface, a private car park with direct access to the clinic is available. Please flag this preference with Alanah before your appointment, so there is time to organise a parking permit and have organise to have someone open the automatic gate upon arrival. Entry is via a ”no through” lane called Terrace St, and parking is through the automated wooden gate.
• Taxi drop off into private carpark: Please follow the instructions above.

Bowen Hills Clinic (inside Choose2Move Physiotherapy and Exercise Physiology):

• On-site: Free, private, reserved and disability-friendly parking onsite (park at any of the bays signed “Choose2Move), on the corner of Campbell St and Walden Lane, Bowen Hills. Enter the clinic from the car park (through the glass sliding door, then  the first door on your right), or via the front entrance on Bowen Bridge Rd, directly opposite the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital).