Laura Baker (née Koch), MSW, LSW
Pronouns (she/her/hers)
Click To Enter: Laura's Online Waiting Room
Coordinator of Social Services and Staff Counselor, SIUE Counseling Services
- M.S.W. in Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
- B.A. in Psychology, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Certified in Suicide and Crisis Intervention
Certified in Psychological First Aid
Laura has worked for SIUE in various departments and roles since 2003. She spent 11 of those years at Student Opportunities for Academic Results (SOAR), where she helped support the academic, professional, and personal development of thousands of underrepresented SIUE students. Her passion for holistically supporting our students grew exponentially during that time, greatly contributing to her decision to pursue a career as a mental health professional.
As the Coordinator of the Social Services Program, Laura facilitates or oversees most of the Consultation and Referral appointments, which connect students with internal and external resources and services to meet various areas of need. Laura also facilitates or oversees all of the Life Skills Courses, which are short-term (2-6 weekly sessions) psychoeducational courses focusing on skill-building to address common presenting concerns.
In her role as a Staff Counselor, Laura provides individual and group counseling. She utilizes an integrative approach consisting of PCT, CBT, and ACT, among others. Her areas of clinical interest include international students, students of color, LGBTQ+ populations, individuals who have experienced multiple types of trauma, and nontraditional college students.
In addition to her experience at the University, Laura worked as a Suicide and Crisis Interventionist for Life Crisis Services at Provident, Inc. in St. Louis. She also completed an internship with Alternatives to Living in Violent Environments (ALIVE); providing crisis counseling, emergency shelter, and support services to adults and children impacted by domestic violence.
In her free time, Laura enjoys spending time with her family members (both human and animal), reading, and connecting with nature.
