Darryl Nettleton

Experienced social worker for practical support

AASW Australia

Experience: 24 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Trauma and abuse
Approaches: Gottman Method, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Languages: English

About Darryl

Darryl Nettleton is an experienced social worker and counsellor who uses clear, practical approaches to help people manage stress, anxiety, addiction, grief and depression. He draws on straightforward conversation and evidence-informed methods to help people take the next step toward feeling better.

Background and approach

With 24 years in mental health practice across Australia, Darryl supports people coping with trauma and abuse as well as those facing loss and end-of-life concerns. He also works with issues linked to ageing, fatherhood, relationship communication and problems rooted in family of origin.

Darryl adapts sessions to the needs of each person. He aims for a respectful and compassionate tone and focuses on skills people can use between sessions.

That might mean learning new ways to manage strong feelings, building everyday routines, or practising clearer communication. His practical toolkit includes acceptance-based strategies and cognitive behavioural techniques alongside mindfulness and client-centred conversation.

He also integrates elements of the Gottman Method when relationship interaction skills are relevant to a person’s goals. People meet him for short-term work or for longer exploration depending on what they want to achieve.

He encourages small, achievable steps and checks progress regularly. Darryl’s approach is collaborative and goal-focused, helping people find clearer direction and greater resilience.

How therapeutic approaches translate to online practice

Darryl commonly uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and elements of the Gottman Method in his online practice. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice thoughts and feelings without getting overwhelmed and then commit to actions that match their values. The Gottman Method focuses on improving how people communicate and manage conflict, using straightforward skills to reduce hostile patterns and build better interaction habits.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Darryl will talk with each person about goals, preferences and what has or hasn’t worked before. Together they choose or adapt methods so sessions feel useful and relevant rather than one-size-fits-all.

Online sessions are offered by video call, phone, live chat or text-based messaging to make therapy more flexible. Video calls are good for interactive skill practice and face-to-face conversation. Phone sessions work well when bandwidth is limited or someone prefers not to be on camera. Live chat and text messaging suit quick check-ins, brief updates or when someone wants to work in short written exchanges. These options let people fit counselling around work, family and other commitments while using approaches that match their needs.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does Darryl help with?

He works with stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, grief and depression. Additional areas include ageing and geriatric issues, attachment and communication problems, and fatherhood concerns.

What is his therapeutic style like?

Sessions are practical and collaborative with an emphasis on clear conversation and usable skills. He blends client-centred dialogue with evidence-based techniques to address immediate problems and long-term goals.

How much experience does he have?

Darryl has 24 years of professional experience working in mental health settings across Australia. That time includes supporting people through both short-term challenges and longer journeys.

What credentials and location are listed?

He is listed as AASW, which stands for the Australian Association of Social Workers, and practices in Australia.

Which languages are available for sessions?

Sessions are offered in English.

What session formats does he offer online?

He provides video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging to suit different needs and schedules.

How does cost work for sessions?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability. Sessions are provided through a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.

How do I begin a counselling relationship?

Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, then schedule a session according to the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety Addictions Trauma and abuse Grief Depression

Additional focus areas

Aging and geriatric issues Attachment issues Blended family issuesCo-morbidityCommunication problemsDrug and alcohol addictionFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issues Forgiveness Guilt and shame Hospice and end-of-life counselling Infidelity Life purpose Men's issues Veteran and Armed Forces Issues Mood disorders Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD Panic disorder and panic attacksPersonality disordersPost-traumatic stressProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Self-harmSocial anxiety and phobia Workplace issues Young adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Client-Centred TherapyCognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)Gottman MethodMindfulness Therapy

Experience

24+ years

Registered with

AASW

Languages

English