Ava Kottmeier

Warm wishes! If you've been feeling overwhelmed and want to get back in touch with your values, feel safe in your body, and live a meaningful, empowering life, I would love to work with you. I am a queer, neurodivergent, disabled therapist who supports people struggling with big feelings, difficult pasts, and systemic oppression. My work helps you uncover the power to thrive by enhancing your mind/body/spirit connection, living a valued life, and cultivating strong relationships in community with others.

I believe that healing happens within the context of strong relationships - not only with others, but also with ourselves! That's why therapy provides you a warm and trusting relationship in which you can safely explore vulnerable topics. My aim is to help you understand what has you feeling "stuck" so you can feel empowered to make positive change and break patterns of dysfunction.

My work is collaborative, and you get to set the pace. You can expect to be asked questions and provided gentle prompts that orient you to your thoughts, feelings, body, and spirit. I value making space for humour and lightness in my work - who says healing has to be done with furrowed brows? I might also suggest an activity, like painting or movement, to help us gain new insight. I draw from somatic and creative techniques that help you connect holistically to who you are and where your needs are at.

I like to learn about your strengths and help you use them to your advantage, while also holding space for your areas of struggle. I believe you are worthy of patience and self-compassion, and that you can develop these skills through our work together.

My work is primarily informed by somatic therapies, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Feminist & Anti-Oppressive Therapy, and Polyvagal Theory. I am a liberation-oriented and trauma-focused therapist who embodies anti-oppressive and harm-reductionist values in my work. I offer free 20 minute consultations via video to gauge if we would be a good working fit. To learn more about me and book in, have a look at my website. I welcome you to get in touch by email to start the conversation!