Brenda Kendziera
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
Clinical Specialties:
Couples Therapy & Relationship Conflicts
Children & Teen Counseling
ADHD & Neurodivergent
Parent Coaching
Hello, I’m Brenda Kendziera! I take pride in my role as a therapist and feel very passionate about what I do. I look forward to beginning this journey with you.
I’m a lifelong learner, not just in my profession but in other areas of interest. One of the things I enjoy most is listening to people’s stories because I believe we all have wisdom to share and lessons to learn from one another.
That belief extends into how I see the world. For me, a strong sense of community is one of the most meaningful things we can foster as people, as it inspires change, creation, and resilience. I also believe in the power of light-hearted humor. Smiling and laughter are some of life’s simple joys, so I make sure we can find the light, even in our darkest moments.
My Approach as a Therapist
I take an authentic, non-judgmental, and client-centered approach. While I try to remain solution-focused, I also meet clients where they are in their journey of change.
I emphasize each individual’s strengths and seek to highlight patterns and themes that support insight-building. I also focus on fostering a sense of connectedness—to those around them and within our therapeutic relationship—to help build a sense of belonging and create space for growth.
Humor and playfulness are also important elements of my approach as a therapist to encourage creativity and hopefulness.
How I Can Help You
During our first session, we will spend time exploring your history, including your family dynamics, medical history, psychiatric history, and any relevant legal history.
We’ll also spend time getting to know you! I would love to hear about your interests, past achievements, short- and long-term goals, favorite music, activities, passions, values, and cultural background.
My goal is to gain a clear picture of the most important aspects of your identity and create a space where you feel seen and heard as the expert of your own life.
Therapeutic Approaches
- Psychodynamic Therapy
- Somatic-Based Therapy
- Family Systems Therapy
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Gottman Method Level 2 Trained
Education and Experience
License: Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC)
Client Focus: Children, Teens, Adults, Couples, Families
Years of Experience: 5+ years licensed (7 years in the field of mental health)
Certifications: Gottman Method trained at Levels 1 and 2
Education: Master’s in Forensic Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology | BA of Liberal Arts with Major in Clinical Psychology and Minor in Criminology from UIUC
Languages: English
Hobbies & Fun Facts
I am second-generation in America, with my family originating from Ireland.
I love games of all kinds, crafting, reading, and anything that gets me moving, like dancing and hiking.
Basketball is my favorite sport, but skydiving was the biggest adrenaline rush I've ever had.
Start Counseling in Deerfield, IL
Looking for an experienced therapist in Deerfield, Bannockburn, or the North Chicagoland area? Taking the first step can feel overwhelming, but our team is here to guide you through it with care and understanding.