IAN LAIDLAW, LCSW-R
Licensed in: NY, NJ
Works with: Individuals aged 16+, parents
Languages: English, Japanese
Focus areas and specializations
Childhood Trauma Recovery
I work with adults who are in recovery from chronic childhood trauma, including in complex relationships with parents or caregivers. This can show up in adulthood as various difficulties tolerating or experiencing peace and security in close relationships, carrying a persistence sense of inadequacy or shame, feeling unworthy of love, never feeling quite able to reach sufficiency, or feeling like even when you make it to a place of success you don't really belong there.
Grief and Loss
I specialize in working with traumatic loss - the unexpected death of a spouse or long-term partner, child or other close family member. I help people with adjusting to life without the loved-one present, finding a new sense of self, integrating the lost loved-one into your ongoing life, finding pleasure again, finding ways to live again, and developing an ongoing relationship with the person we lost. We don’t have to get over it, we can learn to live alongside grief.
Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder
I work with people who live with psychosis and mood disorders. I help with figuring out how to live alongside long-term symptoms, developing a life worth living, developing a sense of worth, balancing out health practices to reduce distress, and sustaining satisfying relationships.
Intimate Partner Abuse
I work with women who are partnered with abusive and controlling men, helping to recover from the self-esteem and other kinds of internal harm caused by the abuse, and figuring out how to move forward alongside the relationship or after it has ended.
About Ian
Ian is originally from New Zealand and has also practiced in Japan and England. He has established and directed community mental health clinic, taught trauma courses at the graduate level, produced a psychotherapy podcast, and continues to supervise and train other psychotherapists. He has a Master's Degree in Social work from Fordham University and a Masters of Arts and Bachelor of Science from Otago University in New Zealand