Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Bonk.
Hi Laura, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’ve been counseling for almost a decade now, and from the very beginning, my heart has always been for people — helping them heal and walk through the hard seasons of life that we all face at some point. Over the years, I’ve worked at several counseling centers and have also sat in the client’s chair myself. Both experiences taught me so much about what people truly need in order to heal.
What I began to notice was that so many people were getting stuck just managing symptoms — anxiety, sadness, relationship struggles — without ever really understanding why those patterns kept coming back. That curiosity pushed me to dig deeper. Through years of experience and research, I discovered the power of healing at the subconscious level — where our core beliefs, emotional wounds, and automatic patterns are formed.
When I began applying these techniques in my own life and with my clients, the results were incredible. People weren’t just coping anymore — they were actually transforming. That’s what inspired me to create Pathways Counseling KC (PCKC), a space focused on helping people heal the root causes of their struggles, not just the surface symptoms.
PCKC has continued to grow, and I’ve been so grateful to bring on additional counselors who share the same passion for deep, lasting healing. And because I wanted to make these tools accessible to even more people, I also founded Pathways of Growth — an online platform that offers self-paced courses, a supportive community, and practical tools for personal growth.
At the heart of everything I do is the desire to help people understand how their past has shaped them, heal from those experiences, and move forward with confidence and clarity — to uncover the past, embrace the present, and pursue their best path forward.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road — but I think that’s true for most meaningful journeys. One of my biggest personal challenges has been learning to quiet self-doubt. Because of my own past, that’s something I’ve had to continually work through. There have been plenty of moments when I’ve questioned whether I was good enough or capable enough — especially stepping into leadership and building something from the ground up. Imposter syndrome has shown up more times than I’d like to admit!
Another challenge has been navigating the counseling field itself. I’ve always had a desire to do things differently — to move beyond symptom management and focus on true, lasting healing. While that vision has been deeply rewarding, it’s also come with uncertainty, as forging your own path doesn’t come with a clear map.
And then, of course, there’s the balancing act of it all — managing the demands of running a business, supporting clients, and raising a family. There have been seasons where it’s felt like a lot to hold. But through each challenge, I’ve learned to extend myself grace, trust the process, and remember why I started — to help people heal deeply and live more fully. Those reminders keep me grounded and grateful, even when the road gets bumpy.
We’ve been impressed with Pathways Counseling KC, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Pathways Counseling KC is all about helping people experience true healing — not just learning to cope with symptoms, but really getting to the root of what’s causing their pain. We specialize in approaches that integrate both the conscious and subconscious mind, allowing clients to uncover and release long-held patterns, beliefs, and emotional blocks that have kept them stuck.
What sets us apart is our focus on deep, lasting transformation. So many people come to us after years of traditional counseling, feeling like they’ve gained insight but haven’t felt real change. Our goal is to bridge that gap — to help people heal at a level that creates genuine, sustainable growth in their relationships, emotional health, and self-worth.
I’m incredibly proud of the team we’re building. Every counselor at Pathways Counseling KC is not only skilled and compassionate but also trained in these powerful, root-focused modalities. We share the same vision: to create a safe and empowering space where people can truly transform their lives.
In addition to our in-person practice, I also created Pathways of Growth, an online platform that extends our mission beyond the therapy room. It offers self-paced courses, a supportive community, and practical tools for personal development — so people can continue their healing journey at their own pace, wherever they are.
At the heart of both Pathways Counseling KC and Pathways of Growth is this belief: healing is possible for everyone. We’re here to help people uncover the past, embrace the present, and pursue their best path forward — one step, one breakthrough, one moment at a time.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Finding the right mentors and support network has been such an important part of my journey. I’ve learned that mentorship doesn’t always have to look like a formal relationship — sometimes it’s about surrounding yourself with people who inspire you, challenge you, and embody the kind of life or leadership you aspire to.
For me, it’s been less about finding one “perfect” mentor and more about learning from a variety of voices — colleagues in the counseling field, business owners, and even clients who’ve taught me so much about resilience and courage. I’ve found that when you stay open and curious, mentorship opportunities tend to appear naturally.
Networking, for me, has also been about authenticity. I’m not drawn to surface-level connections — I value real, genuine relationships where people truly support each other’s growth. Building those kinds of connections takes time, but it’s always worth it.
If I could give one piece of advice, it would be this: seek connection, not comparison. When you approach networking with a mindset of curiosity and collaboration rather than competition, you’ll find mentors and peers who genuinely want to see you succeed — and that kind of support can change everything.
Pricing:
- $140 for individual counseling
- $155 for couples counseling
- $170 for family counseling
- Temporarily reduced rates accepted on a case-by-case basis
Contact Info:
- Website: https://pathwayscounselingkc.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pathwayscounselingkc?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BxKLrv8uy/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PathwaysCounselingKC
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/pathways-counseling-kc-overland-park?osq=pathways+counseling+kc
- Other: https://pathways-of-growth.simplero.com/
