Laura Chiarenza, MA Psych, RCC, Reg #13372

Introduction

Laura Chiarenza has been an Associate Counsellor with Stewart & Associates since 2015.  Laura’s practice emphasizes interpersonal relationships and approaches that include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) & Attachment Therapy.

Laura is a contracted service provider to ICBC and  CVAP – Crime Victim Assistance Program.  Her services are also covered by many extended health benefits plans. Please contact your provider to determine if you have coverage for a Registered Clinical Counsellor.

Fees:

Laura is currently accepting new clients for daytime availability only. 

$150 per session (50 min) for Individual Counselling
$180 per session (50 min) for Couples or Family Counselling

Laura is able to offer a sliding scale fee to a limited number of clients.  Income verification is required to qualify.

Appointment Schedule:

Laura is offering sessions in person, by telephone or video conference.

Mon & Tues: 12 pm, 1 pm, 2 pm, 4 pm, 5 pm, 6 pm
Wed & Thurs: 9:30 am, 10:30 am, 11:30 am, 1:30 pm, 2:30 pm, 3:30 pm (Thursday’s are only available remotely)

For new clients ready to schedule your first appointment please complete our  Intake Form and someone will call you as soon as possible.

For all other appointment requests or changes please call 604-687-7171 or email admin@stewart-assoc.com

For private correspondence you can leave an email: laura@stewart-assoc.com

Please note Laura’s office hours – she may not respond to messages until her next scheduled work day.

Education and Experience

Laura Chiarenza received her Master’s Degree in counselling psychology from Athabasca University. Throughout the course of her education, she has studied a wide variety of approaches.  These include Bowen family systems theory, cognitive behavioral therapy, emotion-focused therapy, and mindfulness therapy. Laura has also done extensive research on topics related to interpersonal relationships.  This research includes conflict resolution, parenting issues, sexuality, infidelity, and the impact that the media and popular culture have on couples and their families. In addition to this, her practicum training has given Laura the opportunity to work with individuals with a variety of concerns such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorder, borderline personality disorder, and bipolar disorder.  Laura was also a Counsellor’s Aide in 1996 & 1997 at the Willamette Family Treatment Center in Eugene, Oregon.

Counselling Experience

I am a senior associate clinical counsellor at Stewart and Associates Counselling and Coaching Inc. I work with individuals, couples, and families and provide a sex-positive, inclusive safe space for people of all identities, including marginalized groups, such as LGBTQ+ individuals, BIPOC, sex workers and others.

My approaches include, but are not limited to, Bowen Family Systems, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Sex Therapy, Dialectal Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Trauma-informed Therapy, Mindfulness Therapy and Existential Therapy. I work with clients with a variety of physical and mental health concerns such as Depression, Anxiety, Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, Type 1 Diabetes, and OCD. I also have experience working with clients with such personality disorders as Bipolar Personality Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorders and Narcissistic Personality Disorder.

Counselling Orientation & Philosophy

Laura practices from the premise that everyone brings their own unique stories and experiences into therapy.  Therefore, she works with clients collaboratively to formulate goals that are grounded in their own life experiences.  She recognizes that clients’ relationships to others are an important part of their lives. Laura approaches her work from a systematic perspective that acknowledges the influence of preexisting relationships, community, and values on individuals’ lives and experiences.  She believes that a holistic approach to counselling provides clients with more options and a greater range of techniques and interventions that can be drawn from in therapy.  The counselling relationship depends mainly on the client’s willingness to stay the course and be as open and honest as possible. Therefore, Laura’s mandate is to provide clients with a safe, secure, and comfortable place to work through their issues.  She encourages a therapeutic relationship that is collaborative, respectful, and non-judgmental.

I am a sex-positive, trauma informed, anti-oppressive, inclusive, and collaborative therapist. I practice from the premise that everyone brings their own unique stories and experiences into therapy, and therefore work with clients to formulate goals that are grounded in their own life experiences. Recognizing that clients’ relationships to others are often an important part of their lives, I approach my work from a systematic perspective that acknowledges the influence of existing relationships, community, and values on individuals’ lives and experiences. I believe that a holistic approach to counselling provides clients with more options and a greater range of techniques and interventions that can be drawn from in therapy. The counselling relationship depends mainly on the client’s willingness to stay the course and be as open and honest as possible. Therefore, my mandate is to provide clients with a safe, secure, and comfortable place to work through their issues within a relationship that is collaborative, respectful, and non-judgmental.

Specialization

  • Trauma
  • Sexuality
  • Anxiety
  • Attachment and relational issues.
  • Chronic health issues
  • Neurodiversity
  • Depression
  • Parenting
  • Anger Management
  • Addiction

Principal Approaches

  • Sex and Relationship
  • Trauma-informed
  • Family Systems
  • Attachment-based
  • Mindfulness
  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
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Language Spoken

English
Italian

Area of Practice

Anger Management
Anxiety
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Conflict Resolution
Couples Counselling
Crime Victim Assistance Program (CVAP)
Dealing with Loss
Depression
Family Counselling
Gay & Lesbian
Grief & Loss

2SLGBTQ+
Life Transitions
Mental Health
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Parenting
Residential Historical Abuse Program (RHAP)
Transgender
Trauma
Relationship Conflicts
Self-Esteem
Sexual Health
Stress