Avila Somatic Counseling
Avila Somatic Counseling
A body-based approach to therapy
I believe that therapy is a way we can cut through our own blind spots to see what we need in order to grow as people. I'm trained as a relational therapist. One of the things that this means is that I believe true psychological healing, in most cases, is facilitated through social relationships. Through your work with me, we will form a relationship deliberately built-in service to you and your individual needs. In this way, we can orient towards the relationships in your life to understand how you arrived where you are today and begin the healing process.
I am also trained as a somatic therapist. This means I aim to facilitate a more holistic perspective of your mental health, by integrating an understanding and utilization of your internal, physiological sensations as well as movement-based interventions. My belief is that the integration of these two perspectives will help give you a well-rounded and full understanding and experience of your mental health and how to grow in the ways that you want.
"Often the hands will solve a mystery that the intellect has struggled with in vain."
Carl Jung
A BIT ABOUT ME
My name is Angelo Avila and I'm a mental health counselor based in Bellingham, WA. I've been practicing therapy for two years. I am trained in Somatic and Relational counseling. I became interested in Somatic Counseling after attending some classes taught by a local Somatic Therapist in town. The integration of neuroscience, anatomy, and psychology fascinated me, and I decided that this was how I wanted to operate my own practice. I have experience working with young adults, children, and teens and am open to treating all of these age groups.
served for two years as a Child and Family therapist for Sea Mar, where I accrued experience coordinating care with parents, doctors, psychiatrists, teachers, and school counselors. When it comes to children, I believe a more extensive team is most effective in supporting them in their mental health growth. In this time I also worked with adults of different ages, ranging from 18-70. While I specialize somewhat in Child and Family Therapy, I believe the principles in this specialization apply to people of all ages. We're all still children in some ways, aren't we?
I have experience treating Depression, Anxiety, ADHD, PTSD, Eating Disorders, and Suicidal Ideation. I practice Trauma-informed Care with every diagnosis I treat and greatly respect the hesitancy many people feel when addressing issues related to their history. If you have a history of traumatic experience or are currently experiencing traumatic symptoms, know that I intentionally pace treatment in accordance with your comfort level.
I have gone through my own journey of mental health regarding grief, depression, and developmental trauma. The therapeutic process is something that is very important to me, and I hold it in high regard and care as I hold this space for others. If you think I may be a good fit, please contact me either through email or this website's contact form.