Susan Laird, PACFA

Susan Laird brings 13 years of professional experience in Australia to her work supporting people through stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, and major life transitions. She holds PACFA credentials, the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia, and offers therapy in English to people based in Australia.

Susan works from the view that each person is the expert in their own story and already carries strengths that can be used to move through challenges. Her practice focuses on helping clients manage overwhelming emotions, process experiences of trauma and abuse, and develop practical coping strategies for change. She also attends to issues such as abandonment, guilt and shame, and post-traumatic stress, tailoring interventions to the concerns that matter most to each person.

Recognising that taking the first step towards a more fulfilling life takes courage, Susan offers a supportive, steady presence to help clients explore goals and build on their capacities. She aims to create a collaborative process that respects individual pace and priorities while working toward clearer, more manageable ways of living.

Evidence-based techniques and flexible online care

Susan uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques that focus on practical changes in thinking and behaviour, helping people identify unhelpful patterns and learn skills to manage symptoms of stress and anxiety. She also applies trauma-focused methods that prioritise gentle, paced work with distressing memories and reactions, which can support recovery from trauma and abuse. Additionally, Susan offers skills-based support for coping with life changes, helping clients build strategies for everyday challenges and regain a sense of stability.

Finding the right therapeutic approach is part of the work. Susan collaborates with each client to explore what feels most useful and to adapt techniques to individual needs, goals and preferences, aiming to discover a best fit together over time.

Online therapy with Susan is available by video call, phone, live chat or text-based messaging, providing flexibility for different schedules and comfort levels. These options make it easier to access appropriately qualified or registered professionals from home or elsewhere, while allowing therapists to tailor session formats to what suits each person best.