Influential Woman · Social Services
Laura Foxall
Intensive Outpatient Therapsit, Bridegway Psychiatric Center (Compass Healthcare)
Lake Charles, LA 70607
Her Story
About Laura
Laura Foxall has dedicated the past two years to social services, beginning her career in Child Protective Investigations and Alternative Response, where she investigated protective services reports, worked directly with families, interviewed children, assessed safety concerns, and helped families build on their strengths. She has since earned her Licensed Master Social Worker credential and currently works as an Intensive Outpatient Therapist in community mental health, providing psychotherapy to adults and older adults.
Foxall attributes much of her resilience and determination to her childhood experiences growing up in poverty. She holds an Associate of Applied Science in Process Technology, a bachelor’s degree in psychology, and a Master of Social Work from Louisiana State University. She is a member of the National Association of Black Social Workers and the National Honor Society.
In addition to her professional work, Foxall has volunteered in communities. Her core values include integrity, compassion, meeting people where they are, and honoring self-determination. She encourages others in the helping professions to give of themselves without giving all of themselves, to protect against burnout, and to continue setting small, achievable goals regardless of age or stage of life.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Laura
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute much of my success to my family and the tough childhood I experienced. Growing up in poverty taught me resilience, perseverance, and how to keep pushing forward even when life is difficult.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Give of yourself, but don’t give all of yourself. In this field, it’s easy to feel like you can save everyone, but you can’t and trying to do so can lead to burnout. Learn to help others while also protecting your own well-being.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Keep believing in yourself and keep pushing forward. Set small, achievable goals and work toward them one step at a time. It doesn’t matter what age you are or when you decide to start—there is no timeline for becoming who you want to be. Don’t put a time limit on your goals or your growth.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in social work is the pay. Social workers are not always financially valued in a way that reflects the importance of the work they do. At the same time, most of us did not enter this field solely for the compensation—we chose it because we wanted to help people, advocate for others, and make a meaningful difference in their lives.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity is one of my strongest values is being honest, upfront, and genuine. Compassion, meeting people where they are, and respecting self-determination are also very important to me. I believe meaningful change has to come from within, and people should be supported in making choices that are right for their own lives.
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