Laura Shiels is a Registered Social Worker who specializes in gender and sexuality. For the past 13 years she has worked and volunteered as an educator, advocate, and therapist across a variety of settings including Alberta Health Services, the University of Calgary, the Centre for Sexuality, the Calgary Distress Center, and Camp Fyrefly.  Currently, Laura holds a full-time position with Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse where she supports individuals who have experienced sexual violence. 

 

At our clinic, Laura offers supportive counseling, psychoeducation, and evidence-based treatment for folks navigating challenges around anxiety and depression, trauma, sexual and gender identity, coming out, relationships and dating, sexual and reproductive health, sexual violence and abuse. Laura is passionate about providing inclusive services to LGBTQ2S+ and questioning individuals as well as support and education to parents and family members of LGBTQ2S+ children and youth. Laura uses Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), somatic, narrative, strengths-based and solutions focused therapies in her work with clients. She also loves to incorporate creativity and art into sessions when beneficial.​