Shaela Avila is a Registered Associate Professional Clinical Counselor at Olive Leaf who brings lived understanding, genuine empathy, and deep compassion to her work with clients. With a specialized focus in anxiety, depression, and self-esteem, Shaela is passionate about supporting children navigating identity development, individuals adjusting to life with disabilities, and those experiencing transitions that challenge their sense of self. She is dedicated to helping clients build resilience, discover their strengths, and find healing in the midst of struggle, creating a safe and collaborative space where people feel seen, heard, and empowered to move toward growth.

Her approach to therapy is both professional and deeply personal, shaped by her own experiences with disability and life transitions. Shaela believes healing happens when one feels safe, understood, and free to explore their identity without judgment. Together with her clients, she focuses on building resilience, embracing strengths, and creating meaningful change that honors their story and who they are becoming, blending evidence-based approaches with genuine empathy and care to support clients in developing practical coping tools and a stronger sense of identity.

Shaela holds a Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling and is currently pursuing a PhD in Counseling & Psychological Studies. Her clinical experience includes working with children, individuals navigating identity and life transitions, and people living with disabilities, enriching her ability to meet clients with both professional training and lived understanding that creates authentic connection and meaningful therapeutic growth.

"I do this work because I know how hard life can feel when you're struggling, and I don't want anyone to go through that alone. My hope is that clients feel truly seen, supported, and safe to explore their story at their own pace. More than anything, I want them to walk away with hope, strength, and a deeper trust in themselves."

Supervised By: Cheryl Hixson, MS, LMFT #105273