Affirming care through authenticity & collaboration
My name is Laurel Rowe and I am a psychotherapist operating in-person in Ottawa and virtually across Ontario. I’m a queer, neurodivergent psychotherapist — and that shapes so much of my work.
I work with youth and adults, queer and gender-nonconforming folx, monogamous and non-monogamous relationships, dealing with relational challenges, intimacy and sexuality, stress and anxiety, depression, suicide ideation, work-place burnout, low self-esteem, and navigating a wide array of difficult life transitions.
I believe therapy works best when it’s a genuine collaboration — showing up honestly, working toward what matters to you.
I’m committed to learning from everyone I work with, and I take real pride in helping people explore who they are. Whatever brings you here, you deserve a space built around you. I’d love to hear from you.
About
I have personal experience with the twists and turns, obstacles and upheavals that can throw us off course or redirect our life journeys entirely. My own journey showed me the importance of having non-judgmental support and compassionate guidance through hard times.
I follow a person-centered and trauma-informed approach that aims to create a safe space to face both internal and external obstacles. When clients and I can show up authentically, we are better able to collaborate and create an affirming therapeutic experience that meets my client’s unique experience and needs.
I use Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) to help individuals to uncover pathways toward positive coping and meaningful living. I have training in Prolonged-Exposure Therapy (PET) through the Royal Ottawa and training in Trauma-Focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (TF-ACT) to provide evidence-based treatment to individuals navigating life with trauma.
As a member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and neurodivergent, I take pride in helping people explore their identities. I am committed to continuing to learn from each and every individual I meet. Acknowledging that I work from the privilege I hold, I am continually seeking to create a socially-just and culturally-responsive practice with a relational-cultural therapeutic approach.
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Autism/ADHD
Anxiety
Body Image
Depression
Family Conflict
Life Transitions
Mood Disorders
Open Relationships/Non-Monogamy
Peer Relationships
Romantic Relationships
Sex-Positive, Kink-Allied
Stress
Suicidal Ideation and Self-Harm
Gender Identity
Trauma/PTSD
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Gottman Method Level 2, 2026
Gottman Method Level 1, 2025
ASD/Neurodivergent-Affirming Therapy, 2024
ADHD Strengths-Based Interventions from Childhood to Adulthood, 2024
Intervention and Strategies for Suicide and Self-Harm among Adolescents, 2024
Integrating Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy Across Clinical Applications, 2023
Prolonged-Exposure Therapy, 2023
Trauma-Informed Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, 2022
Applied Suicide Intervention and Skills Training (ASIST), 2022
3 Key Elements of My Approach
Awareness
Notice what’s actually happening — your patterns, your reactions, and the beliefs driving them.
Compassion + Accountability
Building compassion for yourself while reclaiming your responsibility for your choices.
Authenticity
Recognize the social structures and scripts that you’ve been following that aren’t serving you — and create your own.
Services
Free Consultation
This is a chance to see if we’re a good fit — no pressure, no commitment. We’ll talk about what’s bringing you to therapy and what you’re hoping for, and create space for you to ask any questions to help you get a feel for my approach before deciding to move forward. Free 15-minute consultations are available by phone or video, whichever you prefer.
Individual Therapy
Individual therapy is a space to slow down and make sense of what feels hard — whether it’s anxiety, depression, a difficult transition, or patterns that keep showing up in your relationships and daily life. I work with adults and youth ages 14+, and welcome clients of all backgrounds and identities — with particular experience supporting trans and queer clients, neurodivergent individuals, and men, all of whom are often underrepresented in therapy spaces.
Relationship Therapy
Relationship therapy offers a space for partners to work through conflict, rebuild communication, and reconnect. Whatever’s brought you in — a recurring argument, a rough patch, or wanting to strengthen an already good relationship — we’ll find strategies suited to your specific relationship and needs. I work with monogamous, open, and polyamorous relationships, and have particular experience with non-normative relationship structures.
My pricing
I believe therapy should be accessible and I understand that everyone’s situation is different and everyone’s situation fluctuates, and so sliding-scale options are available to those facing financial difficulties. My approach to fees is guided by CRPO practice standards and a commitment to ethical care.
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Individual Therapy…starting at $170 for 50 min session
Relationship Therapy…starting at $180 for 50 min session
Non-session Services… starting at $42.50 per 15 mins (letter and report writing, consultation calls, completion of forms)
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A late cancellation or missed visit leaves a hole in the that could have been filled by another client. That means that appointments cancelled, rescheduled, or shortened with less than 24 hours’ notice are considered late cancellations.
The following applies within any rolling 12-month period:
1st late cancellation - fee waived
2nd late cancellation - $30 fee
3rd late cancellation - $50 fee
4th late cancellation and beyond - full fee
Late fees can be waived on a case by case basis due to extenuating circumstances. Illness, childcare, emergencies, the general chaos of being a person — I get it. If something comes up, reach out as early as you can. Exceptions may be made at my discretion where circumstances warrant.
If late cancellations or attendance patterns become frequent, we may review this collaboratively to support the continuity of your care. Ongoing attendance concerns may result in the full session fee being applied at my discretion. Rescheduling with less than 24 hours’ notice counts as a late cancellation under this policy, even if you book a new appointment.
My space
A new space it taking shape - welcoming and peaceful, with just enough colour to feel alive. I am looking forward to providing the same care and authenticity a space better suited to helping my clients feel as comfortable as possible. More soon — in the meantime, sessions are running as usual.
Address
Suite 200C, 335 Catherine St. Ottawa, Ontario
Frequently Asked Questions
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Getting started is simple. Reach out through the contact form, by email, or by booking a consultation call through my booking page — I’ll walk you through the next steps and answer any questions along the way.
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You can reach me anytime via our contact page or email. I aim to respond quickly.
My working hours are 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Tuesday to Friday. Responses to emails outside of these hours may be delayed.
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My path to psychotherapy is rooted in personal experience. I have lived experience of the profound value of having knowledgeable, genuine, and empathetic support during times of pain and uncertainty. My personal experience shaped my conviction that every person deserves access to a therapeutic relationship where they feel truly met.
I understand that my clients are the unquestioned experts in their own experience — their histories, their identities, their values, and what healing means for them.
I strive for a genuinely collaborative approach to treatment planning and session structure, one in which each person has an active voice in shaping the work we do together. I approach every therapeutic relationship as an opportunity to learn.
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During our sessions, we will delve into the issues and reasons that have led you to seeking out support. I think it is important to take time to establish rapport to ensure that your experience is that of non-judgmental support and human connection. Within the first few sessions, we will collaborate on developing a plan for addressing your concerns and symptoms in a sustainable way.