relationship
counselling
boundaries | intimacy | self-esteem
Work with Laura Avila, RCC
Services
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Now offering in-person appointments in Kitsilano
Virtual counselling also available
English | Spanish | Catalan
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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.
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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
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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.)
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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