A smiling African American woman with long dreadlocks wearing glasses, a black blazer, a white top, a gold necklace, and small earrings, standing in an indoor setting with a blurred background.

Laura Schoepfle, LCSW

Licensed Clinical Professional Social Worker

Licensed in Illinois

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Pronouns: She/her

Available: In Person & Virtually

I Identify As: Neurodivergent

Populations served: Individuals & Couples 18+

Specialties: ADHD, addiction, anger management, anxiety, autism, behavioral concerns, blended families, bipolar, BIPOC, body image, body dysmorphia, chronic illness, cancer support, career exploration, caregiver support, co-parenting, communication skills, coping skills, desire/libido concerns, family conflict, first responders, grief, gender identity, high conflict couples, infidelity, Kink/BDSM, life transitions, LGBTIQA+, oppositional defiance disorder, parent coaching, premarital counseling, PTSD, polyamory, religious trauma, relational issues, self-esteem, sexual trauma, skill acquisition, substance abuse, sex worker friendly, veterans

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You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, and how you can still come out of it.

Maya Angelou

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My Therapeutic Approach

My approach is holistic, grounded in a commitment to meeting each client exactly where they are in their journey. Drawing from narrative therapy and Gottman-informed methods, I help clients make sense of their own stories while building practical tools for repairing and strengthening their relationships. I'm passionate about working with clients from every background and life experience, and I believe deeply in each person's capacity for growth and healing, regardless of the challenges they face.

My style is collaborative rather than prescriptive — I see my role as a guide, not an authority on someone else's life. That said, when it's helpful, I'll take a more directive approach — offering clear guidance, structure, and concrete strategies alongside accountability tools like check-ins and between-session tasks, so clients have practical, actionable steps to build on between our work together. Having worked directly with individuals with autism and ADHD, as well as families navigating high-stress caregiving environments, I bring a trauma-informed, adaptable lens to every session. I pay close attention to the systems around a client — family, relationships, community — because I've seen firsthand how much those systems shape a person's ability to heal.

I am guided by empathy, collaboration, and respect, and I'm committed to creating a safe, nonjudgmental space where clients can explore their experiences and work toward meaningful, lasting change. My areas of focus include couples and family therapy, as well as supporting individuals navigating trauma (both sexual and emotional), major life transitions, and relational challenges.

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  • I was born and raised in the Roseland community on Chicago's South Side. Growing up in a neighborhood shaped by poverty, food deserts, and widespread untreated mental health needs inspired me to pursue higher education with the intention of returning to serve my community.

    I earned my Bachelor's degree in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, followed by a Master of Arts in Counseling with a specialization in Couples and Family Therapy from Governors State University. Over the past several years, I've had the privilege of working across a range of settings that shaped how I show up for clients today — from providing direct behavioral support to individuals with autism, to managing a residential home and coordinating care for adults with disabilities, to my current work as a clinical therapist building treatment plans and walking alongside clients and their families through some of their hardest seasons.

    That range has taught me that healing rarely fits into one box. Whether I'm sitting with a couple working to rebuild trust, an individual navigating a major life transition, or a family trying to understand each other better, I bring the same commitment: to meet people exactly where they are, without judgment, and to believe in their capacity to grow. Outside of my clinical work, I've stayed rooted in community through mentoring young people in Chicago — a continuation of the same promise that first brought me into this field.

  • I take a direct, active role in sessions — offering guidance, structure, and concrete strategies rather than just listening and reflecting. I've found this works especially well for clients who want clear direction and practical tools they can actually use. I also like incorporating accountability measures, like check-ins and between-session tasks, because they help turn insight into real, sustained change.

    • Gottman Method Couples Therapy – Levels 1  (The Gottman Institute)