Laura Kacere, MA, LCMHC

pronouns: she/they

psychotherapist, social justice advocate

I’m passionate about providing affirming and empowering care for women and LGBTQ clients. I provide support to clients at any stage of identity exploration or healing from past wounds. With a background in social justice activism, I believe building stronger connections within our community and working to change unjust systems can play an important role in psychological healing. During our therapy sessions, it is my intention to provide a supportive, non-judgmental space to work collaboratively in building healthy coping strategies and skills to manage the struggles in your life, while also creating space for authenticity, creativity, and joy. I use an integrative framework, which includes Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, Feminist/Multicultural Therapy, Mindfulness/Yoga, and Internal Family Systems Therapy.

I grew up in Des Moines, Iowa and completed my undergraduate degree in Women’s Studies at the University of Iowa. Before becoming a mental health counselor, I was an organizer for a feminist organization in Washington, D.C. with a focus on reproductive rights and health access. Although I loved the community work, I felt drawn toward direct service, and became a yoga instructor and began working in a women’s supportive housing shelter.

Finding my passion at the intersection of social justice and mental health & healing, I moved to Chicago, Illinois to complete a Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Adler University and train at the Center on Halsted, the Midwest’s largest LGBTQ community center. 

When I’m not working, you can usually find me hiking with my dog Toby, watching sci fi movies, baking all kinds of sweets, attempting to play music, or eating pizza.

Laura is a member of both the American Counseling Association and the ALGBTIC division. She is licensed through the North Carolina Board of Licensed Professional Counselors, license #14313.