Laura Fonseca, MSW, LCSW

For more than a decade, I have dedicated my career to supporting children, adolescents, young adults, and families in the St. Louis area. While my early experience included working as a clinical therapist in two St. Louis County grade schools—where I loved helping children grow through play, art, games, and creative expression—my professional path has evolved in meaningful ways.

Over the past six years, I founded and successfully ran a child and family therapy group practice, leading a team of clinicians and supporting hundreds of families through some of their hardest seasons. This chapter deepened my appreciation for the complexities of parenting, the impact of early emotional experiences, and the importance of consistent, compassionate care. As I return to solo practice, I’m bringing that depth, clarity, and renewed connection to the work I love most: sitting with individuals and families in a way that is focused, personal, and deeply therapeutic.

My clinical background also includes work in SSM Emergency Departments and McCallum Place Eating Disorder Treatment Center in Webster Groves, where I developed a strong foundation in crisis response, trauma-informed care, and adolescent mental health. I hold 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. I also completed advanced training in psychodynamic psychotherapy for both adults and children at the Saint Louis Psychoanalytic Institute, which continues to inform my understanding of how early relational experiences shape our inner world.

At the heart of my work is the belief that healing begins with feeling truly seen. My approach is warm, grounded, and non-judgmental, offering a space where clients can explore their emotions, rebuild trust in themselves, and move toward a life that feels steadier and more aligned. One of my guiding reminders comes from C.S. Lewis: “You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” My goal is to help clients do exactly that—start where they are, with support, clarity, and hope.