Counseling Intern
Anxiety, loneliness, shame, trauma, grief, conflict, and other unwanted experiences can feel overwhelming when they barge into our lives and cause suffering. Brenda believes that-when relying on both internal and external supports-we all have what it takes to foster well-being. In therapy together, you will work on discovering how. She aims to create an accepting space in which you can authentically express all sides of yourself and gently cultivate mindful self-compassion, curiosity, empathy, calm, insights, connection, and resilience.
Whether searching for symptom relief, belonging, clarity, growth, identity, community, peace, or overall flourishing, clients can find support for attaining their goals and healing with this therapist. As a neuro-inclusive and pleasure-positive therapist, Brenda considers it a unique privilege to welcome different kinds of people, brains, and relationship dynamics into therapy.
A graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, Brenda is currently completing her master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Marymount University, following a decades-long career in Human Resource leadership. Upon learning of her transition into a new career in mental health, many friends, colleagues, and family responded with some version of “About time; it’s clearly your calling.” Even prior to helping people through HR, Brenda deeply cared about understanding and supporting human connection and thriving. Living in Eastern Europe, West Africa, and North America, she grew up in community-oriented and service-minded societies, and now brings this multicultural and justice sensibility to her therapy practice, however appropriate.
Brenda’s personalized treatment harmonizes evidence-based practices with individual situations, values, symptoms, and capabilities. Her relational approach is experiential, attachment-informed, and strengths-based while integrating elements of IFS, body-aware, and solution-focused therapies. Because therapy often requires clients’ commitment to face challenging issues, she may even encourage moments of therapeutically appropriate humor along the way. And, through regular sessions, clients report a reduction in distress and overwhelm as well as enhanced insight and relational skills.
Brenda works with individuals 16+, groups, and couples via telehealth or in person, and has native Russian language fluency.