Laura Elk-Weist, LCSW
Experienced mental health professional
Provides online counseling through Octave
At a glance
Laura is an experienced, licensed Mental Health Professional who specializes in affordable online therapy offered through our partner, Octave.
- Great news, Laura is accepting new clients!
- She is normally fully-booked.
- Speaks English
- Offers Telehealth visits
- Licensed in Illinois
More about Laura
- 16 years' experience
- Female
- LCSW
I understand how painful it can feel when parts of you don’t seem to “fit.” As a queer therapist, I hold space for people from diverse and marginalized backgrounds, including LGBTQ+ and highly sensitive individuals. I work with concerns such as anxiety, depression, life transitions, and relationship challenges through a trauma-informed, culturally aware lens. I believe you already hold the capacity for change, and my role is to walk alongside you with guidance, skills, and support.
Specialties
Treatment Approaches
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
- Interpersonal Psychotherapy
- Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
- Psychodynamic
- Relational
- Solution-focused
- Strengths-based
Licenses
Laura Elk-Weist's National Provider Identifier (NPI) is 1154729945.
- LCSW · Illinois · 149013658 · Renews November 2025
About online therapy
- Affordable.
- Get high-quality therapy without the high price. Clients pay an average of $28 per session with in-network insurance.
- Convenient.
- Schedule sessions that fit your life, not the other way around.
- Available now.
- No long waitlists. Get matched with a licensed therapist and start therapy as soon as your benefits are confirmed.
Octave makes evidence-based therapy easier to access and easier to afford. Whether you're seeking support for anxiety, depression, stress, relationships, or life transitions, Octave connects you to thoroughly vetted therapists that can meet on your schedule, take insurance, and care about helping you find clarity.
It works: 74% of Octave clients see meaningful improvement with their depression and anxiety symptoms in three months, and outcomes consistently exceed national averages.
Reviews for Laura Elk-Weist
Frequently asked questions
Does Laura Elk-Weist offer telehealth visits?
Yes. Laura Elk-Weist works with clients by exchanging messages, chatting live, speaking over the phone, or video conferencing based on what works for the client at that particular time.
What language(s) does Laura Elk-Weist speak?
Laura Elk-Weist speaks English.
How many years of experience does Laura Elk-Weist have?
Laura Elk-Weist has 16 years of experience.
Where is Laura Elk-Weist licensed to practice?
Laura Elk-Weist is licensed to practice in Illinois.
Does Laura Elk-Weist accept clients outside of the United States?
No, Laura Elk-Weist does not accept clients outside of the United States.
Is online therapy as effective as in-person therapy?
Numerous studies support the effectiveness of online platforms in facilitating life changes. For instance, research published by JMIR Publications, conducted by teams from the University of Berkeley, UCSF, and SF General Hospital, found that "users of [a major teletherapy service] experienced significantly reduced depression symptom severity after engaging with the platform."
What treatment approaches does Laura Elk-Weist offer?
Laura Elk-Weist offers clients Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Psychodynamic Therapy, Mindfulness Therapy, Attachment-Based Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy.
How can I communicate with Laura Elk-Weist?
Laura Elk-Weist can be engaged in any one of four ways: (1) Exchanging messages, (2) chatting live, (3) speaking over the phone, or (4) video conferencing. You can use different ways at different times as you wish, based on your needs, availability, and convenience.
How do I get started with Laura Elk-Weist?
Just tap the CHAT NOW button or tap here: A new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.
Mental health conditions are real, common, and treatable.
And recovery is possible.
When you tap BOOK NOW a new window will open and you'll be directed to Octave's website to start your therapy journey. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.