Bernadette Bajzek
LCSW, PEL
Clinician
Master’s in Social Work
University of Illinois at Chicago
Bernadette has been in practice for over 4 years as a School Social Worker, Student Supports Manager and Clinical Supervisor. Her experience supporting individuals, small groups, parents, fellow clinicians, and whole school communities has contributed to her belief in the transformational power of relationships. In the one-on-one therapeutic space, Bernadette builds relationships through empathy, respect for all aspects of clients’ identities, and belief that clients are the experts of their own realities and needs. Following their lead, she provides space for both solution-focused exploration of strategies for daily life and investigation of the deeper stories and beliefs that color our experiences and interactions.
I believe that the stories we tell ourselves have a profound impact on the choices we make, the limits we place on ourselves, and the ways we respond to our experiences. Many of these stories were authored by someone else, created in times that no longer match the realities of the present, or have been repeated so many times that we consider them facts. With compassion, curiosity, and humor, I’ll work with you to uncover the stories that may no longer be serving you. I integrate mindfulness, strengths-based therapy, CBT, and client-centered therapy approaches to support you in writing new stories that fit who you are and in exploring tools/practices that reinforce the life you want to lead.
I work with clients of all ages who want to explore relationship challenges, identity, anxiety, depression, and/or self-acceptance; and the folks who care about them. My passion lies in helping clients to discover the strength and brilliance of their unique selves, while empowering them to uncover and break down the obstacles to their vision of success.
One of my favorite things to do is go indoor rock climbing. It scratches my love for puzzle-working and is where I find it easiest to access mindfulness, as you can’t help but be present with your body 50 ft in the air! I also find joy in trying out any hands-on hobby that sparks my interest (from sourdough bread baking to sculpting clay miniatures), spending time in nature with my dog and partner, and connecting through play with improv games and classes.
