Supporting a life worth living, through mental health.
Ben Maclaren · Canberra, ACT
I'm Ben, a counsellor based here in Canberra, ACT.
If you've made it this far, you've likely already done the hardest part: deciding to look for someone. I try and create a space to pause away from the pressures of daily life, where there's no judgement, just an honest conversation, at your pace, with someone glad you're here.
A lot of men come in stuck and not sure how they got there. Maybe it's anger that catches you off guard, a relationship that's stopped working, or a flatness you can't explain to anyone, including yourself. Maybe you were raised to handle things on your own, and that's stopped working too.
I work with you to find out what's actually going on; and find what works for you.
Whether you've just been diagnosed or you've known for years, we start with exploring and understanding how your mind actually works, not how it's "supposed" to work. Together, we experiment with ways of doing and being that actually fit you.
I bring direct experience with ADHD, autism, and other presentations, and know what it takes to find your own way of working with yourself.
Changing careers, rebuilding direction, working out what matters now. A lot of us are finding new meaning in a faster-changing world, realising we don't like the way things are, or searching for a calling that actually fits.
Support here is about finding your way through the limbo and building a life worth living.
Together, we'll set meaningful goals and experiment with what helps, keeping what actually works for you and leaving the rest.
What therapy methods do I use?
I draw from a wide range of approaches, Rogerian, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Gestalt therapy in particular, and keep learning new ones. What matters most is finding what actually works for you, not sticking to one method because it's familiar to me.
A 15-minute call, not a session. It's a chance to get a feel for how I work, ask any questions, and see if this is the right fit.
We'll talk about what's bringing you here, and you can get a sense of my approach before deciding anything.
Book a clarity callGot a question first? Check the FAQ.
If you'd rather write first, send a message instead. Tell me a little about what's going on, and I'll get back to you personally.
No — you can book directly, no referral needed.
That's a completely normal place to start. You don't need a clear diagnosis or the right words — we can work that out together, at your pace.
Yes, with the usual legal exceptions around immediate safety — yours or someone else's. I'll always explain those limits clearly in the first session, not spring them on you later.
Mostly just talking — what's brought you in, what you're hoping for, and any questions you have for me. No forms to fill out under pressure, no test to pass.
Yes I do, if being in person is a struggle; whether that's because it might not feel safe, travel is hard or you're far away, we can use the magic of technology to have our sessions online.
That's completely fair, and it happens. The relationship is at the core of therapy. Some people click more with one therapist than another, and that's true no matter how experienced they are. If it's not the right fit for you, I'm happy to point you toward someone who might work better.
There's no set length. It depends on your goals, which we set together based on what you actually want, experimenting along the way to find what helps. Some people prefer open, exploratory sessions, while others prefer something more targeted and structured, drawing on approaches like ACT therapy.
Sessions are $120 each. Get in touch if you have any questions before booking.
The easiest way is the email link in the contact section below. I'll usually get back to you within a day or two.
Still have questions? Send me an email, I'll reply personally.
Email me