Counselors

Laura Breitberg

Laura Breitberg knows first-hand the impact JFS can have in helping people with life's challenges - she's lived it.

When Laura, her husband and daughter arrived in Kansas City in April 1991 from Odessa in the Former Soviet Union, it was JFS who came to the rescue helping the family settle in.

“I was a client of JFS and I started volunteering from day one, interpreting for clients from the FSU,” Laura said. During a driving lesson, Laura told her teacher, “I feel like I can do this job. My previous experience would help me because I am a people person.”

Laura, a former school teacher, officially joined the JFS staff in 1992 working on resettlement cases for the agency. Determined to make a difference in her new community, Laura set her mind to getting the necessary educational training to become a social worker. While working part-time at JFS, Laura went back to school at the University of Kansas in the School of Social Welfare.

“I created my own program introducing people to the mental health system. In the Soviet Union it was a punitive thing,” she said.

Three years later, Laura earned her master’s degree in social work and began seeing clients as a therapist. Laura was promoted to resettlement coordinator for JFS, helping many new immigrants make Kansas City their “home”. Later, Laura was tapped to oversee the New American Outreach Program, Jewish Senior Network activities and to serve as Case Management Supervisor.

Today, Laura is involved with both case management and counseling clients. She has special expertise in helping others who have experienced the loss of a loved one and are dealing with grief, depression and anxiety. Laura works with both individuals and couples using a variety of techniques including cognitive behavioral therapy and communications skills.

“In therapy, the most important thing is connecting through a relationship,” Laura said. “I express genuine interest in their life story. Some people don’t realize how unique they are. I like connecting with people,” she said.

For Laura, the work she does at JFS is her way of giving back for all she received when moving here more than 15 years ago.