ML Portrait of May Lai

May Lai, ACA

Practical support for anxiety and sleep

8 years in practice · based in Australia · sessions in English · online sessions

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About May

May Lai is a counsellor who focuses on anxiety, stress, sleep problems and low self esteem. She uses plain, practical strategies to help people manage anxious thinking and feel more confident. May aims to make conversations easy to follow and often brings warmth and a little humour to sessions.

She draws on work in sleep psychology to address how poor rest fuels worry and low mood. That means sessions can include routines, small behaviour changes and ways to tackle sleep disruption alongside talking therapies.

Book with May Now Review online therapy options and next steps.

Background and approach

May likes clear goals and short, doable steps so progress feels tangible. Sessions tend to emphasise assertive communication skills and boundary setting when relationships create strain. May helps people practise phrases, rehearse hard conversations and notice patterns that lead to conflict or withdrawal.

She also supports people working through separation, commitment worries or codependency concerns. Her approach is collaborative and straightforward. May explains options, tries different methods, and checks what is helping.

She has eight years of clinical experience and holds ACA credentials - ACA stands for the Australian Counselling Association. People come to May for help with stress, anxiety, sleep difficulties and depressive symptoms. She aims to leave clients with practical tools, clearer thinking and more confidence to move forward.

How evidence-based techniques are used online

May uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques focused on anxiety, sleep and mood. One approach is behavioural change for sleep. This involves setting routines, adjusting behaviours that harm sleep and building small habits to improve rest - useful when worry keeps people awake. Another approach is skills-based work for anxiety and relationships, which teaches practical tools like grounding exercises, assertive communication and noticing unhelpful thought patterns to reduce worry and improve interactions.

Finding the right approach is part of the process. May works collaboratively with each person to decide which techniques suit their needs and goals. She explains options, tries different methods together, and adapts plans based on what helps most.

Online sessions are offered by video calls, phone, live chat and text-based messaging to make therapy more flexible. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation and guided skills practice. Phone sessions can fit into a short break or when bandwidth is limited. Live chat and messaging work well for brief check-ins, journalling support or when typing feels easier. These formats help people access support around work, caregiving or busy schedules.
Book with May Now Review online therapy options and next steps.

Questions people ask

What kinds of concerns does May focus on?
She helps people with stress, anxiety, sleeping problems, self esteem and depression. Additional areas include relationship strain, codependency, and adjustment after separation.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
May uses a practical, collaborative style with clear goals and small steps. Sessions combine talking with skill practice and behaviour changes tailored to each person.
How much experience does she have?
May has eight years of clinical experience working with people on anxiety, sleep and mood concerns.
What credentials and region are listed?
She is a member of the Australian Counselling Association, noted as ACA, and practises in Australia.
Which languages are used in sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats are available?
Therapy is available via video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging.
How does payment and cost work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability. Sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.
What do I need to do to begin?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to the therapist's availability.

What this therapist works with

Most often

Experience
8 years
Licensed
Languages
English

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