Dr. Kristen Brendel, PhD, LCSW, PEL-SW, C-IAYT, CYT, is a full, tenured professor of social work, licensed clinical social worker, speaker, and author with over 25 years of experience across schools, healthcare, private practice, and higher education. She is the founder and director of Per La Vita Wellness PLLC and is known for translating evidence-based practices into practical, engaging, and sustainable strategies for individuals and organizations.

Her work focuses on anxiety, trauma, grief, chronic health conditions, women’s issues, and stress-related issues, with a particular emphasis on supporting helping professionals and those with chronic health conditions. Drawing from both clinical practice and academia, she brings a thoughtful and grounded approach to topics such as burnout, self-care, and emotional regulation.

Dr. Brendel is a Professor of Social Work at Aurora University, where she teaches graduate students and has published and presented research at national and international levels. She is also the author of Unseen Grief, a forthcoming book on ambiguous loss and chronic health conditions.