Layla Oueidat Counsellor

Welcome! Counselling with me is a space centred around your unique journey, where your experiences, culture, and values are welcome and honoured. My approach is grounded in being client-centred, trauma-informed, culturally sensitive, and fully affirming of neurodivergent and LGBTQIA+ identities. With a background in youth addiction counselling in the public sector, I bring a dual-diagnosis perspective to our work together. This means we address both substance use and underlying mental health factors, recognising how life stressors, mental health needs, and the systems around you connect to impact your overall well-being. My approach allows us to consider all aspects of your life, whether they relate to: - Mental health and well-being - Personal relationships - Cultural background(s) and identities - Important life factors and experiences - Generational trauma and experiences Inclusivity and Cultural Sensitivity: My practice is inclusive, with extensive experience working with culturally and racially marginalised (CARM) communities, including refugees, asylum seekers, and those who identify as BIPOC, bicultural, or third-cultured. Having grown up in Naarm (Melbourne, Australia), Qatar, the UAE, and Lebanon, I understand the complexities of navigating multiple cultural identities and have developed a personal and knowledgeable understanding for clients with ties to SWANA (South West Asia and North Africa) and MENA (Middle East North Africa) regions. From my work with the LGBTQIA+ community in Lebanon, as well as with survivors of war and those who have lost loved ones to its impacts, I’ve come to value the resilience and strength of navigating identity, safety, and belonging amid challenging cultural landscapes. These experiences shape my practice, allowing me to offer support that is trauma-informed, culturally attuned, and sensitive to the unique layers of each person’s journey. What We Can Explore Together: Our work can cover a broad range of topics, always with respect for your individual needs and life context. Areas we might explore together include: - Past, complex, or ongoing trauma and trust - Cross-cultural identity(ies) and/or relationships - Ancestral roots and connection (if meaningful to you) - Addiction and how it is interconnected to other parts of your life - Systems of oppression (both micro and macro) and/or discrimination that may have, or continue to, impact you Using decolonial and depathologising approaches, I work with a variety of therapeutic tools to meet your unique preferences and needs, including: - Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) - Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) - Inner child work - Motivational interviewing (MI) - Parts exploration - Somatic approaches (possibly including your cultural/traditional dances, songs, and other somatic healing rituals) - Art therapy - Decolonial therapy which may include exploring/incorporating your cultural, spiritual, personal, generational, traditional, and healing rituals. Bringing a Personal Touch My cat is a gentle (mostly), curious presence and might make an appearance during sessions. If it helps you feel more comfortable, you’re more than welcome to bring your pet into our space too. Outside of our sessions, I’m a third-cultured, neurodivergent music lover—especially metal—and enjoy gaming, dancing, hiking, and travelling. Sharing music, games, or other interests can definitely be part of our sessions if that resonates with you. If you’re ready to start this journey, please reach out. It would be an honor to support you in finding healing and growth on your path.