Leah Aguirre, LCSW, author of *Is This Really Love?*, holding her book and eating a chicken wing—using humor to highlight the realities of emotionally abusive relationships and trauma healing

Find Clarity, Confidence and Healthy LOVE.

Trauma-informed Relationship and dating coaching for indiViduals tired of repeating unhealthy patterns.

I’m Leah Aguirre, LCSW—therapist, relationship coach, and author.

I help smart, self-aware individuals break free from the painful cycles of unhealthy love, self-abandonment, and second-guessing. Through trauma-informed tools, nervous system healing, and radical self-compassion, I guide you back to your worth—so you can build the kind of love that feels safe, secure, and true.

I’m the author of Is This Really Love? and The Girls’ Guide to Relationships, Sexuality, and Consent—two books rooted in empowerment, boundaries, and healing your relationship with yourself first.

Learn more about me and my work!

I’ve Been Where You Are

I was the woman who kept falling for emotionally unavailable and emotionally immature men—the charmers, the hot-and-colds, the ones who made me question my worth. I stayed in situationships far too long, confused love with intensity, and silenced my gut in the name of “potential.”

I was a serial dater with a history of chasing love that hurt. At one point, I found myself in an emotionally abusive relationship that left me feeling small, ashamed, and broken.

I know what it’s like to doubt yourself. To ask: Is it me? Am I asking for too much? Why do I keep ending up here?

But here’s what I also know: You’re not broken—you’ve been patterned.

And with the right tools, support, and compassion, you can unlearn the patterns that have kept you stuck in cycles of pain and start building the kind of love that feels safe, secure, and real—starting with the relationship you have with yourself.

Let’s work together!

Is This Really Love? Recognizing When you are in a Coercive, Controlling and Emotionally abusive relationship—and how to break free


If you’ve ever felt controlled, confused, anxious, or ashamed in a relationship—but couldn’t quite name why—this book is for you.

Is This Really Love? helps you recognize the subtle (and not-so-subtle) signs of coercive control and emotional abuse. Drawing from EMDR, ACT, and self-compassion tools, this empowering guide gives you the clarity and courage to break free, rebuild your self-worth, and reclaim your autonomy—step by step.

Learn more about Is This Really Love?

My Services

1:1 Dating Coaching

Ready to date with more clarity and confidence? My trauma-informed dating coaching helps you create authentic profiles, set intentional goals, and build the self-esteem needed to stop settling and start attracting aligned, emotionally available partners.

Whether you're new to dating or feeling burned out, I’ll help you shift from performing to truly showing up as yourself.

Emotional Abuse Recovery Coaching

Whether you’re trying to leave or healing after an emotionally abusive relationship, you don’t have to do it alone.

This trauma-informed coaching helps you untangle confusion, rebuild self-trust, and reclaim your voice. Together, we’ll focus on boundaries, clarity, and healing—at your pace, on your terms.

Media Consultant and expert commentary

I offer trauma-informed insights on relationships, dating, and emotional well-being—helping media platforms create content that’s both impactful and psychologically grounded.

With over 12 years of experience, I serve as an expert voice for podcasts, magazines, news outlets, and digital media. I’m available for interviews, features, panels, and consulting on emotionally complex topics like attachment, abuse recovery, and modern dating.

Testimonials

“Leah is empathic, warm, and has great insight. I highly recommend her to anyone looking for support around navigating relationship, dating, and self esteem challenges.”

“Leah has so much empathy for her clients and an authentic and genuine presence. It's refreshing to work with someone who is empathic and real at the same time.”