- ACT informed
- Mindfulness practice
- Client-centred listening
About Laidley
Laidley Poulton is an ACA counsellor with five years' experience working in Australia. He focuses on stress, anxiety, grief and coping with life changes, and also works with people concerned about LGBT issues, parenting, self-esteem and depression. He aims to make first sessions straightforward and clear for people who feel anxious about starting therapy.
He asks about what is happening now and looks for patterns that shape responses to stress. He talks through immediate concerns and also how past experiences influence current behaviour. Sessions are practical and paced to suit someone who finds social situations or speaking up difficult.
Laidley draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help people notice difficult thoughts without getting stuck in them. He uses client-centred methods to listen and reflect, and mindfulness-based exercises to reduce reactivity. These approaches are explained in simple steps rather than technical language.
He has lived experience of mental health, which informs a steady and direct working style. That background shapes how he supports people feeling overwhelmed, isolated or unsure where to start. He focuses on small, manageable changes that fit into everyday life.
People can expect clear signposting about next steps and practical skills to try between sessions. He helps people slow down, make sense of difficult feelings, and build routines that support coping and clearer decision-making.
Therapeutic approaches and online sessions
Laidley uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help people notice thoughts and choose actions that match their values rather than getting stuck in unhelpful thinking. ACT can suit people facing anxiety, avoidance or uncertainty about social situations.He also works with client-centred methods, which focus on attentive listening and reflection so the person can make sense of their experience. This approach helps when someone needs a straightforward space to talk without being steered by jargon.
Mindfulness therapy is used to build simple attention and breathing skills. These exercises aim to reduce reactivity to stressful moments and help with emotional regulation during social or performance situations.
Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the process. He will work together with the client to identify what fits best based on needs, goals and preferences. This includes reviewing how exercises are practised between sessions and adjusting methods if something does not feel useful.
If you want to use online sessions, please confirm current session options before booking. The online format can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, reduce travel time and allow shorter check-ins when needed. It can also let people choose sessions that suit quieter surroundings or a lower-bandwidth connection rather than an in-person meeting.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
5+ years
Listed in
Australia
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does he work with?
He works with stress, anxiety, grief and coping with life changes, and supports people facing LGBT issues, parenting difficulties, self-esteem and depression.
What is his therapeutic style?
Sessions are practical and paced, with reflective listening and clear steps. He mixes Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, client-centred work and mindfulness practices.
How much experience does he have?
He has five years' experience working as a counsellor in Australia.
What are his credentials and location?
He is an ACA counsellor based in Australia.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English only.
Can people outside Australia work with him?
He does not accept international clients at this time.
How much do sessions cost?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription model that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I get started?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.