Tips about tells for when to dodge

I only dodge charge moves, and I've had great success with my PC/P Alakazam, which I mainly use against Snorlaxes. I can't help wondering if dodging quick moves with Alakazam is counterproductive, because you are still taking 25% damage, while reducing the number of powerful attacks you are delivering.

I'd be interested in hearing people's results with Alakazam dodging everything vs. just dodging charge moves. I'm not proficient enough at dodging quick moves to try the comparison myself, but I'm sure someone out there can do a good comparison.

There's a website [pokebattler.com/fights], where you can run some simulations. Select Alakazam with PC/P as the attacker, and any matchup as the defender, select "Dodge All PRO" as the attacking strategy option, then fight!
Finally, check the "Combat Log", which demonstrates the ideal operation.

I can tell you. With Alakazam you should dodge everything. In fact you should do that period. Dodging creates wins.

I used to spam dodge like you when I saw a charge move coming, but in reality it's pretty unnecessary and counter-productive. You ONLY need to swipe when you see the yellow flash appear on your screen, without getting confused by the animation, because it really means nothing.

As for quick moves, the best method that I found is to gain experience with the duration your attackers' quick moves, so that you know how many you can fit in between the opponents' attacks. For example, I know that with my Alakazam I usually can place 4 Psycho Cuts and then dodge safely, with my Jolteon I have 3 Thundershocks between Gyarados' bites, 3 Vine Whips with my Tangela, and so on. It can vary slightly depending on the opponent, but once you get the rhythm it's easy to time your dodges right. I find that counting the quick moves in my head helps too.

Regarding when to use Psychic with your Alakazam, I'd personally only use it after the opponents' charge move because dodging is essential with him. But then again, I've not tested this out because I still miss a PC+P 'Zam.

There is always a flash for all moves, the quick ones and all of the charge moves. With some charge moves the flash comes even before there is a "Snorlax used Body Slam" message. I always watch the corner of the screen to see the flash as it can be confusing with some animations.
Check this page for info on the different charge moves:
https://pokemongo.gamepress.gg/how-to-dodge
Also some useful animations of the most "difficult" ones to dodge on the same page.
With Alakazam I basically dodge everything. I never played any game like this before and was pretty hopeless at all this so I practiced a lot. First of all I try to get the feel of the quick move of the opponent and how many attacks I can use in between those quick moves. I try and get in as many quick attacks as possible. So that could be a simple pattern like 2, 2, 2, 2, or 3, 3, 3, 3, but also more difficult 2, 3, 2, 3 or 2, 2, 3, 2, 2, 3. (I have a vague recollection that I can also sometimes get 4 quick moves in but cannot remember if that was with Alakazam, but above is just an example of what I try and do). As to using psychic: if your opponent has a one bar charge move you can use it safely after they have used theirs, even twice in a row. With the other charge moves it is much more difficult to predict, they can come twice in a row as well. If I last more than one battle, I will use the psychic immediately on the next mon (or after dodging the first two charge moves) for maximum damage early on.
It may well be that it is more efficient to only dodge charge moves (although I find that hard to imagine with Alakazam) but for me that never seems to work. I always end up being hit by a charge move if I do that. I think it will also depend on your Alakazam's level and the level of the opponent. If you overpower you opponent it is much easier to "spam" and only dodge charge moves.
And "spam" dodging is indeed counter productive. There is a cool down time when you dodge so you might not be able to make the essential dodge because of that.