Psychotherapy for women and teens navigating anxiety, relationships, and life transitions.
“Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing we will ever do.”
- Brené Brown
Meet Laura Gongora
Registered Psychotherapist located in Toronto, ON.
My practice is deeply rooted in supporting women and teens as they navigate the complexities of being human.
You might feel stuck in anxious loops, caught in challenging relationships, grieving a loss, or steering through big life transitions. Together, we will make sense of these confusing and painful places, cultivate trust, and foster nurturing relationships.
For more than 5 years, I have had the privilege of supporting teens, adults, and families in a variety of settings, including community programs, schools, post-secondary environments, and private practice.
I believe the relationship between you and I is at the heart of therapy, serving as a vessel for healing and change. My approach is compassionate, relational, and experiential, meaning we engage your mind, body, and emotions.
My hope is that Healing and Me Psychotherapy is a gentle place to land- where therapy feels like a deep breath: safe, genuine, and true.
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You will always find a pair of cowboy boots in my closet and a warm cup of Colombian coffee in hand! This says a lot about who I am and where I come from. Growing up with my twin sister in a Colombian household shaped how I think about mental health, identity, healing, and the threads that connect us across generations.
When my family immigrated to Calgary at the age of 6, I learned first hand the challenges of adapting to a new culture, the longing to belong, exploring one’s identity while honouring family, and the power of building community. These experiences guide my work today to be accessible, culturally sensitive, and trauma-informed.
Studying psychology deepened my understanding of the human experience but being in my own therapy taught me even more. I know what it is like to sit on the other side of the couch navigating anxiety, loss, and uncertainty while learning to meet yourself with compassion.
To put it shortly, I am Colombian-Canadian, a sister, daughter, friend, cat-mom, wanderer, therapist, and human. In my downtime, you can find me cozied up with my cat, Ellie, reading a book, embroidering, or binging a Netflix series. I also love dancing, hiking, and exploring local cafes.
At the Heart of Healing & Me
CURIOSITY
Healing begins with curiosity, a gentle invitation to turn inward with openness and care. Together, we will make sense of the patterns that shape your emotions, relationships, and experiences, all within a space that feels warm, safe, and non-judgmental.
AUTHENTICITY
All parts of you are welcome here, exactly as they are. Whether it’s an inner critic, a protector, or the younger parts of yourself, we will get to know them and understand their needs. In doing so, these tender places can begin to heal and you can feel more balanced, peaceful, and empowered.
MIND & BODY
Our bodies often hold what words cannot. Through mindfulness, experiential, and emotion-focused practices, we can slow down and shift from being in your head to being in your body. Connecting with your nervous system in this way allows space for grounding, understanding, and releasing what no longer works.
LIGHTNESS
Therapy can be hard work! I welcome humour, playfulness, and moments of joy that remind us that we are human. Whether it’s a funny meme, a TikTok trend, or a picture of your pet…those bits of lightness matter, too.
Therapy at Healing & Me
Therapy for Women
Life as a woman can be rich, meaningful, and deeply demanding, with many roles and responsibilities held at once. You may be trying to find balance between relationships, identity, career demands, motherhood, and the pressure to have it all figured out. At Healing and Me, I provide a down-to-earth and supportive space to help you navigate these challenges, ease self-doubt, and strengthen your relationship with yourself and others.
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If You’re Here, Maybe…
You are stuck in anxious thoughts, guilt, or self-criticism that won’t ease up.
You are navigating challenging relationships with family, friends, or healing from heartbreak.
You struggle to set boundaries without fear, guilt, or people-pleasing, and it leaves you exhausted, resentful, or unseen.
You are craving clarity and stability as you move through a life transition or are feeling lost about who you are outside of what others expect you to be.
You are a mom to a teen or teens trying to navigate their big emotions, communicate in ways that actually land, and support their growing independence while managing your own stress, worries, and the deep the desire to stay connected.
At Healing & Me We Can Work Together To…
Soothe anxiety and regulate emotions by reconnecting with comfort and safety in your own body.
Explore and heal relationship patterns that no longer serve you.
Re-write old narratives so you can live more authentically and in alignment with your values.
Build self-trust, confidence, and joy as you create meaningful, lasting change.
Support you in strengthening your parenting skills so you can navigate the ups and downs of raising a teen with more care, confidence, and patience.
Therapy for Teens
The teenage years can be both challenging and exciting for teens and their parents. You might be navigating school stress, friendships, social media pressures, coping with anxiety or low mood. At Healing and Me, I provide a kind space for teens to explore their thoughts and emotions, strengthen connections, and build tools to face challenges as strong, confident individuals.
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If You’re Here, Maybe…
You are feeling the tight chest of anxiety, the heaviness of sadness, or bursts of anger that feel hard to manage.
You feel you have to be perfect or are never enough, and find yourself comparing yourself to others.
Between assignments, exams, friends, and figuring out the future, everything feels too overwhelming or uncertain.
You are struggling to feel understood or connected with friends, family, or in romantic relationships.
You are experiencing grief or loss of a loved one, a pet, a relationship, or a version of yourself.
You often put other’s needs before your own leaving you drained or frustrated in trying to please everyone.
At Healing & Me We Can Work Together To…
Understand, name, and regulate big and painful emotions.
Develop tools to cope with stress, manage overwhelm, and find calm in your body.
Build self-compassion, quiet the inner critic, and learn to trust yourself.
Navigate relationships and boundaries by learning to communicate your needs.
Work through loss or life transitions, finding meaning and courage in times of change.
Explore and build a strong sense of identity as you navigate familial, cultural, and societal pressures.
If you are a parent or guardian seeking therapy for your teen, I am happy to connect and answer any questions you may have.
Therapeutic Approaches
My approach to therapy is relational, trauma-informed, and integrative. I draw from a blend of evidence-based modalities to support each person’s unique story, needs, and goals. Some of the approaches that guide my work include:
Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS)
Emotionally Focused Family Therapy (EFFT)
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT)
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Motivational Interviewing (MI)
Mindfulness-based Practices
Narrative Therapy
How To Get Started With Healing & Me Psychotherapy
1: LET’S CONNECT
I offer a free 15-minute consultation call. This is a chance for us to get to know each other. You’ll share what brings you to therapy, ask questions, and get a sense of how we might work together.
2: LET’S PREPARE FOR YOUR SESSION
Before our first session, you will receive a welcome package with an intake, confidentiality, and consent form for you to complete. These forms give me a deeper sense of your story and goals for therapy, helping us begin our work with clarity and intention.
3: LET OUR WORK UNFOLD
Take a deep breath-you’ve got this. In-person sessions are available Thursdays at 1235 Bay Street in Toronto, where you can settle into a warm and welcoming space. If you choose online therapy, you will receive a secure video link 30 minutes before the start of session. From there, we will begin the process of understanding, healing, and connecting with the parts of you that matter most.
“Healing is a reminder of what we already are and what we have always been part of.”
- Resmaa Menakem
Let’s Connect
If you have questions or would like to learn more about how we might work together, please fill out the form below.
Frequently Asked Questions
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I hold a Master of Education in Counselling Psychology and Psychotherapy from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Psychology from the University of Calgary.
I am a Registered Psychotherapist (RP) with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). This means I am a regulated mental health professional who meets the education, training, and ethical standards to practice the act of psychotherapy in Ontario.
Ongoing learning is an important part of my work. I regularly engage in professional development, peer consultation, and clinical supervision to deepen my knowledge and foster my growth as a therapist. This allows me to offer my clients quality care that is informed, compassionate, and continually evolving.
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Psychotherapy is a collaborative process where we explore your thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and experiences to better understand yourself and what you’re going through. Together, we make sense of patterns that may be causing distress and work toward meaningful changes that support your emotional and mental-wellbeing. I offer a safe, confidential, and non-judgmental space where you can feel heard, seen, and supported as you build self-awareness, develop new coping skills, and strengthen your connection to yourself and others.
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I offer both in-person and online therapy sessions.
In-person sessions are available on Thursdays at the Regus Centre, located at 1235 Bay Street in Toronto. When you arrive, I will meet you in the main lobby and accompany you to the therapy space.
Online therapy is provided through a secure video platform and allows therapy to take place from a space that feels most comfortable and cozy to you, whether that’s at home, your dorm, or your favorite quiet spot.
Research shows that online therapy is as equally effective as meeting in person. Whether you choose virtual or in-person sessions, we will work together to make therapy as supportive and accessible to you.
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Therapy sessions are $175 per 50 minute session. Payments are made via credit card or e-transfer.
I reserve a limited number of sliding-scale spots. If this is something you need, feel free to ask so we can discuss what may be available and how I can best support you.
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Services provided by a Registered Psychotherapist (RP) are not covered by OHIP. However, many extended health insurance plans include coverage for psychotherapy. I encourage you to check with your insurance provider to confirm your coverage details. After each session, you will receive a receipt that you can submit for reimbursement.
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To maintain consistency and availability, please provide at least 24 hours’ notice for cancellations or rescheduling. Sessions cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice, as well as missed sessions, are charged the full session fee.