Dr. Kristen Brendel

07/28/2026

This is a great article. The “key question” is what do you want to get out of therapy. I agree. The article covers many evidence-based approaches like mindfulness, CBT, and EMDR, as well as psychodynamic therapy.

Not All Therapy Works the Same Way. The Right Fit Starts With One Key Question.

07/25/2026

Yes! And what I teach students and clients is Rothschild's flashback-halting protocol:

• Right now I am feeling ______ ,
(name the current emotion, usually fear)

• and I am sensing in my body ______ ,
(describe current bodily sensations in detail),

• because I am remembering ______ .
(name the trauma by title, only — no details).

• And, at the same time , I am looking around where I am now in ______ (say the year),

• here ______ ,
(name the place where you are)

• and I can see ______ ,
(describe some of the things that you see right now , in this place),

• and so I know ______ ,
(name the trauma again)
• is not happening now/anymore.”

Rothschild, B. (2000). The Body Remembers: The Psychophysiology of Trauma and Trauma Treatment. New
York: W.W. Norton.

Recovering from PTSD includes learning how to cope with symptoms when they come up.

Whether you’re experiencing anxiety, nightmares, or flashbacks, you can find more tips for coping with different PTSD symptoms here: https://www.ptsd.va.gov/gethelp/coping_stress_reactions.asp

07/23/2026

Looks like it'll be a great event!

✨ Meet the Speakers of Community Care in Action 2026! ✨

We’re honored to welcome an incredible group of presenters who are bringing their expertise, passion, and lived experience to this year’s symposium.

Join us for a day of collaboration, learning, and practical strategies to strengthen our communities.

🎤 Keynote Speaker: Noemi Villegas, Ed.D.

🤝 Trauma-Informed Therapy for African American Couples: Culturally Responsive Approaches for Healing, Connection, and Relationship Resilience
Speaker: Sylvia Neil

🌈 Comprehensive and Trans-Affirming Approaches to Addressing Body Image Disturbance
Speaker: Molly Maffeo

🗣️ Your True Voice, Your Open Door: How Authentic Marketing Creates Belonging Before the First Session
Speaker: Emily Genoff

🌎 Beyond Compliance: Culturally Responsive Supervision
Speakers: Ashleigh Gore, LCSW-S & Chelly Calandra

💙 Seen, Heard, Human: Restoring Dignity in Systems of Care
Speaker: Wendy Hayum-Gross LCPC M.S. Ed.

🧘🏻‍♀️ Unseen Grief: Mindfulness Practices for Ambiguous Loss in Chronic Illness
Speaker: Kristen Brendel, PhD

🤍 Misunderstood and Afraid to Say It: Cultivating Rightful Presence in Postpartum OCD
Speaker: Sarah Anteliz

🌿 The Embodiment of Oppression and Decolonizing Therapy Practices
Speaker: Becky Carter

Thank you to each of these remarkable presenters for sharing your knowledge and helping us create a day centered on learning, connection, and compassionate care.

👏🏽 Help us welcome these incredible speakers in the comments!

Learn more and register today: https://go.gracefultherapy.com/community-care-in-action-2026

06/13/2026

Good read!

Thanks to new treatments, some patients with the disease are living longer — leaving them in limbo for years.

04/29/2026

Social Workers! Ethical Decision Making in Social Work Practice
Registration is open here: https://drkristenbrendel.com/ethics-ceu-event-51626

Join me on Saturday, May 16, for a 3-hour ethics CEU focused on using a pragmatic framework to navigate ethical situations, strengthen clinical decision-making, and limit liability.

Saturday, May 16th from 9 a.m. to noon
Live over Zoom
$99
3 CEUs- meets LSW and LCSW ethics requirements
Payment- Venmo or email me for my Zelle phone number. [email protected]

Questions are welcome below or via email.

04/02/2026

I love these calendars from The Greater Good Science Center!

Change does not always come from big moments, it often starts with small daily choices. 🌿 Click the link to explore April’s practices: https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/your_happiness_calendar_for_april_2026

03/29/2026

IL Social Workers-complete your ethics requirement with me in May!

Thanks to everyone who has registered so far! We have a great group forming.

I am creating ethical cases for discussion today! I have encountered some doozies over the years. Let me know if there's a type you'd like to make sure I cover that includes conflicting ethical standards/obligations.

On Saturday, May 16th, from 9 a.m. until noon., Dr. Kristen Brendel will facilitate a three-hour continuing education workshop, “Ethical Decision Making in Social Work Practice.” This live virtual workshop will focus on using a pragmatic framework to navigate ethical situations, strengthen clini...

03/27/2026

Drug-related cognitive impairment is common in routine practice and should be considered in any individual receiving drug therapy who presents with cognitive symptoms.

These effects can occur at any age and are associated with a wide range of medications. The long-term use of benzodiazepines, antidepressants with anticholinergic properties, and antipsychotics has been associated with cognitive decline, particularly in older adults. Although these impairments may be preventable through baseline cognitive assessment and regular monitoring, they are often mistaken for age-related or neurodegenerative conditions and therefore remain underrecognized. https://mdsc.pe/4lPKg19

03/21/2026

Registration for the Ethical Decision-Making Workshop is now available. It meets the IL social workers' ethics three-hour requirement. Questions are always welcome!

On Saturday, May 16th, from 9 a.m. until noon., Dr. Kristen Brendel will facilitate a three-hour continuing education workshop, “Ethical Decision Making in Social Work Practice.” This live virtual workshop will focus on using a pragmatic framework to navigate ethical situations, strengthen clini...

03/20/2026

Registration is now available here: https://drkristenbrendel.com/ethics-ceu-event-51626

Illinois social workers, this one is for you!

Ethical Decision Making in Social Work Practice

Join me on Saturday, May 16 for a 3-hour ethics CEU focused on using a pragmatic framework to navigate ethical situations, strengthen clinical decision making, and limit liability.

Saturday, May 16th 9 a.m. to noon
Live over Zoom
$99
3 CEUs- meets LSW and LCSW ethics requirements
Payment: Venmo or email me for my Zelle phone number at [email protected]