relationship
counselling


boundaries | intimacy | self-esteem

Work with Laura Avila, RCC


Services

  • Now offering in-person appointments in Kitsilano

    Virtual counselling also available

    English | Spanish | Catalan

  • I work with individuals who are partnered, unpartnered, multipartnered, dating, exploring, etc. Collaboratively, we untangle their frustration, fears, and triggers. Are you in a relationship but feel lonely? Are you constantly afraid your friends don’t like you? Do you find yourself stuck in toxic relationships? You may be struggling with Attachment wounds. Together, we can identify and address these wounds and create new strategies to deal with these triggers. This work will help you be aware of your own triggers and automatic responses by improving your self-esteem, solidifying your boundaries, and practicing self-compassion. My ultimate goal is for you to identify your own voice and learn how to trust it.

  • I work with couples and other relationship systems with a directive approach. Are you struggling to communicate with your partner(s)? Do you feel there are some important conversations you ought to be having, but you are not? Has there been a breach of trust in the relationship and you need assistance re-building it? Do you feel you and your partner(s) are stuck having the same fight over and over?

    I sometimes see my role as a mediator between parties who speak different emotional languages, which is why I prioritize the definition of terms at the beginning of my relationship work. My goal is to assist you and your partner(s) become a team, whatever that looks like for you.


Specialties

  • Self-esteem

    Boundaries

    Identification of needs

    Toxic relationships or patterns

    Loneliness

    Perfectionism

    Relationship break-up

    Infidelity

    Sexuality

    Attachment trauma

    LGBTQ2+ issues

    Women’s issues

    Non-monogamy (polyamory, open relationships, relationship anarchy, etc.)

    Struggles with dating

    Kink

    Life transitions

    Sex work (sugar babies, escorts, cam girls, Only Fans, etc.)

  • Communication struggles

    Conflict / Fighting

    Toxic behaviours

    Codependence

    Sexual misattunement

    Emotional distance

    Long-distance relationships

    Processing infidelity

    Monogamy agreement (what is cheating?)

    Non-monogamy agreements( polyamory, open relationships, swinging, relationship anarchy, etc.)

    Exploration/Definition of kink

    Support during separation