By Brenda Kendziera, LCPC
It All Started With Crime Shows
Becoming a therapist was not my original dream, though I’m grateful to say it became my reality. My curiosity about why people make the choices they do began in childhood when watching crime shows with my mother, like CSI and Criminal Minds.
As entertaining as these series were, I couldn’t wrap my head around how people could commit such heinous crimes. I also couldn’t understand how empathy could strongly influence some people to choose good, yet not be enough to influence others.
My First Look Into Psychology
These questions began making sense after participating in my first psychology course in high school. I began learning about the complex relationship between our brains and “ourselves.”
It was eye-opening to learn that our brains operate on specific mechanisms for survival and how that influences our perception of reality, including how we view ourselves, others, and the world!
It was amazing, to say the least. I think it also taught me more about myself. It helped me create understanding for my life, normalize my experiences, and develop more compassion for the people in my life, including myself.
A Deeper Dive in College
The curiosity shifted to genuine fascination as I continued my education through college. It became more apparent to me how easily the brain is manipulated when exposed to harmful genetics or environments and how those manipulations impact a person’s perception of reality and the choices they make.
I also took notice that people lacked this knowledge: how deprived we are of learning about the human experience, how judgment can overpower compassion, curiosity, or understanding. It was difficult to ignore how benighted we are to the experience that billions of us live!
My studies led me to earn my master’s degree in Forensic Psychology, where I continued to observe how people are impacted when deprived of compassion and nurturance.
Beginning My Practice as a Therapist
I made my way to private practice so I can prevent individuals from feeling isolated, misunderstood, and judged in hopes of ending an unhelpful cycle.
I hope people feel free to express themselves while holding others accountable through compassion.
As another human who is figuring out life for the first time, I want to share the knowledge I’ve learned so that we can better understand ourselves and the people around us.
About the Author:
Brenda Kendziera, LCPC
Brenda is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor helping children, teens, adults, couples, and families find connectedness and growth through a client-centered approach.
With over five years of experience, she specializes in relationship conflicts, anxiety, OCD, ADHD, depression, trauma and PTSD, grief, and parental coaching.