Damian Laidler, ACA
Calm, practical counsellor for life’s challenges
Details
| Name | Damian Laidler |
|---|---|
| Credentials | ACA |
| Based in | Australia |
| Registered with | ACA |
| Session format | Online |
| Languages | English |
| Years in practice | 7 |
About Damian
Damian Laidler is a counsellor who supports people facing stress, anxiety, relationship strain, trauma and abuse, anger, depression, addictions and LGBT concerns. He also helps with grief, parenting strain, self-esteem, ADHD and coping with big life changes. Damian brings a calm presence and a straightforward style to sessions.
He trained with ACAP University College, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Counselling, and he is a member of the Australian Counselling Association - ACA.
Background and approach
Over seven years he has built experience in trauma-related issues and practical approaches for everyday problems. Damian uses that background to tailor sessions to each person’s needs. Damian draws on Narrative Therapy to help people reframe the stories they tell about themselves.
He also uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Client-Centred work to focus on values and immediate coping. Cognitive Behavioural techniques and elements of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy appear when skills training or thought work will help. Sessions are conversational and goal-focused.
People can expect a mix of listening, gentle questioning, and specific strategies to try between meetings. Damian aims to create a respectful space where the person sets the pace and priorities. He offers appointments online across Australia by video call, phone, live chat or text messaging.
Practical steps for starting are simple: press Start Therapy, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a time that suits you.
What this therapist works with
His listing names Stress, Anxiety, Relationship issues, Trauma and abuse among the things Damian works with, alongside the areas below.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Trauma and abuse
- Anger management
- Depression
- Addictions
- LGBT
- Family conflicts
- Grief
- Parenting issues
- Self esteem
- Coping with life changes
- Coaching
- Compassion fatigue
- ADHD
- Abandonment
- Adoption and foster care
- Attachment issues
- Autism and Asperger Syndrome
- Blended family issues
- Body image
- Cancer
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Chronic pain, illness, and disability
- Co-morbidity
- Codependency
- Commitment issues
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Coping with natural or human-caused disaster
- Divorce and separation
- Domestic violence
- Drug and alcohol addiction
- Emptiness
- Fatherhood issues
- Fertility issues
- First responder issues
- Forgiveness
- Gender dysphoria
- Guilt and shame
- Hospice and end-of-life counseling
- Intellectual disability
- Isolation / loneliness
- Jealousy
- Life purpose
- Midlife crisis
- Veteran and Armed Forces Issues
- Mood disorders
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Postpartum depression
- Post-traumatic stress
- Self-harm
- Self-love
- Sexual assault and abuse
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Traumatic brain injury
Approaches listed
- Narrative Therapy: Named in his listing among his approaches.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Listed by Damian among the ways he works.
- Client-Centered Therapy: Listed by Damian among the ways he works.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Listed by Damian among the ways he works.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Listed by Damian among the ways he works.
- Mindfulness Therapy: Listed by Damian among the ways he works.
- Motivational Interviewing: Listed by Damian among the ways he works.
- Solution-Focused Therapy: Listed by Damian among the ways he works.
- Trauma-Focused Therapy: Listed by Damian among the ways he works.
- Internal Family Systems: Listed by Damian among the ways he works.
- Training stated: This directory copies the approaches a therapist names and does not check training records. Ask Damian directly how much of the work is narrative and what a session usually looks like.
Narrative Therapy in this listing
Narrative Therapy appears in this therapist's own list of approaches. That tells you it is part of how he works. It does not tell you how much of a session it shapes, and this directory does not check or rate training.
If a narrative approach is what you are looking for, it is worth asking Damian directly how he uses it and what a session usually looks like.
Online session options
Therapeutic approaches and online support
Damian uses Narrative Therapy to help people separate themselves from the problems they face and to rewrite limiting personal stories. This approach suits people who want to look at how life events and relationships shape self-view and behaviour. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on values and small, committed steps; it helps with anxiety, depression and coping with ongoing life stress by teaching practical acceptance and action techniques. Client-Centred Therapy gives space for the person to set the pace and priorities, with the therapist offering empathic listening and reflection to strengthen self-direction. Deciding which approach to use is a team effort. Damian will discuss options, try methods in session, and adjust based on what helps most. He works collaboratively to match techniques to a person’s goals, needs and preferences rather than applying a single fixed method. Online sessions offer flexibility for people juggling work, caregiving or limited travel. Video calls let you use face-to-face conversation and visual cues. Phone sessions need less bandwidth and can fit easily into a lunch break or a quieter moment. Live chat and text messaging suit shorter check-ins, ongoing coaching or people who prefer typing to talking. These options make it easier to keep consistency and practice new skills between meetings.Common questions about this listing
What concerns does Damian help with?
He supports people with stress, anxiety, relationship difficulties, trauma and abuse, anger, depression and addictions. He also works with grief, parenting strain, self-esteem, ADHD and many other life stresses.
How would you describe his therapeutic style?
Sessions are conversational and person-led with clear, practical steps. Damian listens first, then works collaboratively to set goals and try strategies between sessions.
What is his professional background?
Damian holds a Bachelor’s degree in Counselling from ACAP University College and has seven years of experience. He has completed several professional digital credentials focused on trauma, anxiety and applied psychology.
Which credentials and location apply?
He is a member of the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) and practises in Australia.
Are sessions offered in other languages or internationally?
Sessions are offered in English. International clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are available?
Appointments can take place via video calls, phone sessions, live chat or text-based messaging to suit different needs and schedules.
How does pricing work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability. Sessions use a subscription model that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I begin if I want to work with him?
Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to therapist availability.
Contacting this therapist
Sessions with Damian are arranged through our partner platform. It asks a few questions about what you are looking for, then shows you the therapists available to you, including Damian where he has space. Ask about fees, and whether he holds a licence or registration where you live.
Explore online therapy options »
Or see other therapists in Australia »
This is a partner link. We will earn a commission if you sign up through it, at no cost to you. It does not change what you pay or the order of the listings.
Other listings in this directory
- Patricia Pardy, LMHC, LCPC - New York
- Wendy Galyen, LCSW - Indiana
- Danielle Doskocil, LPC, LCMHC - South Carolina
- Moushumi Ghose, LMFT - California
- All therapists for stress, anxiety »