Ready to take the first step?

Many of us carry around an old burden or ache that's been there so long that we may wonder if we'll ever be without it. We use any number of different ways to escape or cope — numbing, scrolling, ruminating, perfectionism, distraction, tuning out our feelings. I'm human; I've done all of these things, too. I know how difficult it can be to see the possibilities of feeling better when you are stuck in survival mode and old patterns. But if you're ready to let go of these burdens, and learn to feel everything that you are beyond the distraction, disconnection and pain, then I'm ready to do it with you.

About Me:

Lauren Kempton, LCSW, MPH

Hi, I'm Lauren (she/her)! I'm a social worker who works with adults, children, and teens. My style is approachable and gentle — I believe that true healing only happens when you feel safe and when we're working as a team. Once we have a trusting relationship, we'll work together to get to the root of what is causing you suffering.

I use the approaches of short-term dynamic psychotherapy, Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS), and interpersonal therapy to treat anxiety, depression, relationship conflicts, and other issues (you can read more about my approach here). 

I have a particular interest in helping individuals and families navigate their relationship to the internet and digital media. 

I earned my Master’s in Social Work and Master’s in Public Health from the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis. My day job is as the Coordinator of the Mental Health Collaborative at Casa de Salud, a nonprofit clinic providing care to people without insurance. I am passionate about healthcare reform and believe that everyone deserves high-quality mental health treatment, regardless of language, immigration status, insurance status or ability to pay. 

I work with clients in English or Spanish. Si desea más información sobre la terapia en español, haga clic aquí. 

What I can help you with:

What I do — modes of therapy & trainings:

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I need therapy?

If you're asking yourself the question, you could likely benefit from therapy. Your are the best judge of when things feel off. Some of the common signs of mental health struggles include:

I'm happy to do a consultation call and figure out if you, or your child, would benefit from therapy with me. And if we decide you'd benefit more from a different therapist, I can refer you to a colleague. 

What is expected of me as a client?

Therapy is a collaboration that works best when you and I can be open with each other. If something that we try in therapy is not helping you, I need to know about it so we can try something else. I will ask you to fill out surveys periodically that ask about your symptoms—this helps me see if you are feeling better or worse, and identify areas where we need to focus. The survey is also a place for you to tell me how therapy is going for you. We know from research that people tend to improve most when they feel like their therapist understands them. We also know that therapists are often inaccurate in knowing when a client is feeling misunderstood. If I have missed something important, or if I have hurt you in any way, I want you to let me know. All thoughts and feelings are welcome in therapy—there is no “right” or “wrong” way to feel. As long as you show up to your appointments and try to be open with me about how you’re feeling, then you are doing it exactly right!

What can I expect our sessions to be like?

Sessions are typically 50 minutes. The initial intake session may be a bit longer to give us time to get to know each other and go over paperwork, and so you can ask any questions about the therapy process. 

I am able to meet either in-person or virtually via Zoom. However, sessions with families or with children under age 15 will need to be in-person.

I typically meet with clients once per week, but it may be more or less often as needed. 

I try to balance a discussion of whatever new things we need to discuss this week with progressing on the longer-term goals for therapy that you and I have agreed to work on. 

How does payment work?

I am in-network with the following insurance plans:


If your insurance is not one that I can accept, I accept payment out of pocket, or I can give you a superbill (similar to a receipt) for your insurance company to reimburse you for out-of-network care. You will need to check with your insurance plan to see whether or not out-of-network care is covered, what percentage is covered, etc.

I also offer a sliding scale to clients for whom cost is a barrier - more information can be found here. 

What are your COVID-19 safety measures?

I am fully vaccinated/boosted against COVID-19. I am happy to wear a mask if you'd like me to. 

If you are having symptoms (COVID or otherwise), I ask that you please reschedule, or we can meet via telehealth (Zoom). 

Telehealth & In-Person

I am able to see clients in-person  at the Casa de Salud building in Midtown St. Louis on Chouteau and South Compton. I am also able to see clients via telehealth. Please note that you must be physically located in the state of Missouri during the telehealth session. Currently, my weekday evenings are telehealth only. I can do in-person sessions on Saturdays from 9 - 1. 

For families and children under age 15, I offer in-person sessions only, as I've found this to be more effective than telehealth.

A good match with your therapist — the sense that your therapist really gets you — is key for effective therapy. 

Let's chat and see if we are a good fit!