Laura Fonseca, MSW, LCSW (She/Her)

Founding Manager/Clinical Therapist

I’ve dedicated my career to supporting children, adolescents, young adults, and families in the St. Louis area. My passion for this work was shaped by my experience as a clinical therapist in two St. Louis County grade schools, where I cherished helping children grow and thrive through creative activities like games, art, and storytelling. These engaging, hands-on approaches made the work both fulfilling and enjoyable while allowing me to witness the transformative power of therapeutic relationships.

My professional journey has included valuable experience in diverse therapeutic settings, including SSM Emergency Departments and McCallum Place Eating Disorder Treatment Center in Webster Groves. At McCallum Place, I discovered my true calling in working with children and adolescents, which has been the cornerstone of my professional focus. My academic background includes a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Social Work from the University of Missouri, Columbia, and a Master of Social Work with a specialization in family studies from Saint Louis University. Additionally, I completed advanced training in psychodynamic psychotherapy for both adults and children at the Saint Louis Psychoanalytic Institute, which deepened my understanding of how life experiences shape emotional and psychological well-being.

In my practice, I strive to create a warm, empathetic, and non-judgmental environment where clients feel supported as they navigate challenges. Inspired by the words of C.S. Lewis, "You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending," I believe in empowering individuals to take the first step toward rewriting their stories. By integrating evidence-based techniques and the latest research, I aim to help my clients achieve meaningful growth and transformation.

CLINICAL INTERESTS:

  • Anxiety

  • Adjustment Disorders

  • Depression

  • Emotional Abuse and Neglect

  • Family Conflict

  • Eating Disorders

  • Life Transitions

  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder  (OCD)

  • Parenting

  • Self-Esteeem

  • Trauma

EVIDENCE-BASED APPROACHES:

  • Acceptance Commitment Therapy

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

  • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy

  • Exposure-Response Prevention

  • Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

  • Motivational Interviewing

  • Psychodynamic Psychotherapy