SYDNEY SZYDLOWSKI, CT

Sydney Szydlowski (pronouns: she/her/hers) is a counselor trainee who works with adolescents and adults of all ages. Her specialty interests include: anxiety, OCD, life transitions, building self-esteem, LGBTQ+ issues, and depression. She utilizes treatments that are tailored to each client and backed by research.

Sydney graduated from Kent State University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and remains there to earn her master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling, which is expected to be completed in August 2024. Sydney is also a member of Chi Sigma Iota, an international honor society that values academic and professional excellence in counseling.

While completing her master’s degree, Sydney has completed her practicum experience at Kent State University’s campus Counseling Center.

Here, Sydney offered counseling services to clients who were experiencing symptoms of anxiety, OCD, and depression, and who were navigating challenges such as finding confidence in identity, life transitions, and relationship challenges. Through this experience, Sydney learned the importance of providing each client with unconditional positive regard and approaching each session with curiosity.

Sydney utilizes a solution focused approach, meaning that she helps her clients explore possible solutions to their current challenges and ways they can implement those solutions. Sydney also approaches counseling sessions from a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) perspective, focusing on challenging negative thought patterns and the connection between behaviors, thoughts, and feelings. She believes it is important to approach counseling with a holistic view, considering how each aspect of a client’s life impacts them.

Her strengths include: empathy, genuineness, open-mindedness, humor, and a commitment to learning.