Odaly Lara (she/her), MSW, RSW
Providing in-person, online and phone sessions (Accepting new clients)
Approach: I adapt my approach to your individual experiences and needs, with an understanding of how trauma can shape our lives. I draw from a range of therapeutic modalities, including Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Trauma-Focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (TFACT), Narrative Therapy, attachment-based approaches, and Parts Work. I balance self-reflection and a deeper understanding with practical strategies to help you navigate challenges, process difficult emotions, and explore new ways of responding to yourself and others.
Areas of Focus: I support individuals navigating a range of concerns, including:
- Anxiety and depression
- Trauma and complex trauma
- ADHD-related challenges
- Emotional regulation and navigating difficult emotions
- Relationship difficulties and attachment concerns
- Self-esteem, self-worth, and self-criticism
- People-pleasing, boundaries, and assertiveness
- Stress, burnout, and feeling overwhelmed
- Life transitions, adjustment, and identity exploration
- Grief and loss
- Family dynamics and interpersonal communication
- Migration-related and race-related stress
- Sexuality-related concerns
About Me: I’m interested in understanding people beyond what we see on the surface. I often think about how our experiences shape the way we see ourselves, relate to others, and navigate the world around us. I believe that sometimes having someone to talk things through with, can help us see our experiences differently, notice things we may not have considered and make sense of experiences that have felt difficult to untangle on our own. I value asking thoughtful questions, exploring different perspectives and approaching our conversations with curiosity and care.
For me, connection is an important part of therapy. I want the people I work with to feel that I’m genuinely invested in understanding them and that there's room to be open, honest, and uncertain. I also recognize that everyone comes to therapy with different needs and that those needs can change over time. I value being flexible in our work together and will adapt to find an approach that feels useful and meaningful to the person I'm working with.
Education and Background: I am a Registered Social Worker (RSW) with a Master of Social Work from University of Waterloo and a Bachelor of Social Work from Wilfrid Laurier University. My background includes experience in community mental health and family outreach, supporting individuals and families navigating a range of personal, relational, and systemic challenges.
These experiences have shaped my understanding of how our relationships, lived experiences, identities, and broader social environments influence our well-being. They also inform my commitment to culturally responsive and anti-oppressive practice, recognizing that each person's experiences and challenges need to be understood within their own context.