1. Kendra, can you tell us what inspired you to be a counselor?
That’s an interesting question, because a lot of what inspired me was my own life experiences—navigating both painful and joyful seasons. But it was really when I went to my own counselor and saw the power of meeting with an unbiased person in a safe space that drew me to the possibility of becoming a counselor myself. The first time I went to counseling, I thought, “Huh, this is something I could see myself doing…” Counseling felt consistent to my character, I’ve always been interested in anything relational. And psychology! Even in high school I took an extra evening psychology class and I literally rented psychology textbooks for my “fun” reading. The human mind is endlessly fascinating to me.
2. What are some of your specialties?
I enjoy working with college students a lot! I have experience working with depression and anxiety, relational issues, church hurt and life transitions. I also work with trauma, at my previous job I spent a lot of time helping kids who’d dealt with trauma or loss. I also think creativity is so important–there are limitless possibilities when you use your imagination, and so many ways to heal.
3. What’s something you’d like potential clients to know about you?
As a counselor, if I’m asking my clients to take risks and do the hard work of healing, I also need to be willing to go there and do the hard things. I want my clients to know that I’m committed to being authentic, and to transforming myself as they walk through their own transformation. Oh… and I love to dance, and watch Gilmore Girls on repeat (though not simultaneously)!
4. So, COVID-19 has turned our lives completely upside down. What are some things you’ve been doing to pass the time during quarantine?
I’ve been watching a lot of Parks and Recreation! And my husband Lance and I are reading Harry Potter out loud to each other, which has been really great!
5. What is your favorite quote of all time?
“We unwittingly project onto God our own attitudes and feelings toward ourselves… But we cannot assume that He feels about us the way we feel about ourselves — unless we love ourselves compassionately, intensely, and freely. ”
― Brennan Manning, Abba’s Child: The Cry of the Heart for Intimate Belonging
