Laura Fonseca, MSW, LCSW (She/Her)

Founding Manager/Clinical Therapist

I founded Cornerstone Therapy in 2016 after recognizing the growing need for high-quality counseling services for children, adolescents, young adults, and families in the St. Louis area.

Most recently, I had the privilege of working as a clinical therapist in two St. Louis County grade schools, an experience I truly loved. I spent my days helping children grow, thrive, and develop into their best selves. Engaging in creative activities like games, art, and storytelling in the school setting made every day both rewarding and fun.

Prior to my work in schools, I served as a therapist at the Schiele Clinic in Ladue, SSM Emergency Departments, and McCallum Place Eating Disorder Treatment Center in Webster Groves. It was at McCallum Place that I discovered my true passion for working with children and adolescents.

I hold a Master of Social Work with a focus on family studies from Saint Louis University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Social Work from the University of Missouri, Columbia.

In addition to my formal degrees, I completed a two-year Advanced Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Program and a Child & Adolescent Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Program at the Saint Louis Psychoanalytic Institute. This advanced training deepened my understanding of how significant life experiences shape individuals and influence their emotional and psychological well-being.

In my practice, I prioritize creating a warm, non-judgmental, and empathetic space where clients feel seen, heard, and supported. I’m also committed to integrating evidence-based techniques and staying current with the latest research to help my clients achieve their goals.

As C.S. Lewis said, "You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending." I believe in empowering people to take that first step towards rewriting their story.

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