A smiling woman with curly hair, wearing glasses, a green top, and a black cardigan, sitting on a cream sofa in a room with a green wall, artwork, and plants.

Laura Shay 

Welcome!

My name is Laura Shay (she/her) and I am a Registered Counselling Therapist (RCT) with the Nova Scotia College of Counselling Therapists. 

Life can be challenging, and sometimes it can be hard to know the steps we need to take to better understand ourselves and live the life we want to live. I work from the perspective that being a human is hard and that we all face struggles throughout our life. While these challenges may be unavoidable, therapy can provide a place to feel seen and help shift your perspective. Working collaboratively with you in the spirit of nonjudgment and support, I will help you discover more about yourself, connect with your feelings, and discover meaning from your experiences. 

I work with individuals and couples, both monogamous and ethically non-monogamous. I enjoy working with people from diverse backgrounds, cultures, identities, and lived experiences.  My areas of interest include anxiety, trauma, existential concerns, dissociation, self-worth & self-compassion, shame, grief, chronic illness, identity issues, gender/sexuality, and relationship concerns. The foundation of how I understand my clients and their concerns is Internal Family Systems (IFS), an evidence-based model that helps people build relationship, connection, and understanding of themselves and heal their wounded parts. I use a variety of other modalities including compassion-focused therapy (CFT), emotion-focused therapy (EFT), the Gottman method, narrative therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and mindfulness-based approaches. Every client is different, and I tailor my approach to your unique, individual needs. 

In my personal life, I like to spend time with my partner and our cat, Loki. I enjoy reading, spending time outside, music, painting, and doing long-distance rides on my bike. 

Reaching out for help and opening up can be frightening, and I hope that I can provide a safe place to share and help you find your way to the right path for you. 

Look forward to working with you!

laura@risecounsellingcollective.com

Client Demongraphics: Adults & Couples

Areas of focus:

  • anxiety and anxiety-related issues

  • trauma and C-PTSD

  • existential concerns

  • chronic illness

  • dissociation

  • identity and sexuality

  • relationships

  • self-worth and self-compassion

  • grief

Completed Trainings:

  • Internal Family Systems (IFS), Level 1

  • Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy

  • Gottman Method for Couples Therapy, Level 2

  • Emotional-Focused Therapy (EFT)

  • Integrative Sex and Couples Therapy

  • Internal Family Systems Online Circle Program