Jessica Sendef, LSW

Jessica Sendef is a Licensed Social Worker who specializes in working with children ages 3–10 and their families. With a grounded, warm, and easygoing style, she has a natural ability to help children feel comfortable. As a result, each child has a supportive space where they can feel safe, valued, and understood.

Above all, Jessica believes every child has the capacity to grow. Therefore, her work focuses on helping children build practical skills that support meaningful and lasting change.

Education and Background

After earning her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Neuroscience from Carthage College, Jessica completed her Master of Social Work at Aurora University.

Currently, she is a Licensed Social Worker in Illinois and is working toward her LCSW. In addition, Jessica holds an active Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL). Her experience as a School Social Worker provides valuable insight into school-based mental health services and special education. As a result, she understands many of the academic, social, emotional, and behavioral challenges children may experience at school.

A Child-Centered, Family-Involved Approach

Years of firsthand experience as a School Social Worker shape Jessica’s work with children in private therapy. In this role, she provides individual and group therapy, crisis intervention, and behavioral support to elementary-aged students.

Because families play an important role in a child’s progress, Jessica works closely with parents and caregivers throughout therapy. For example, she provides practical strategies that families can use outside of sessions. In addition, ongoing communication helps children apply new skills at home, at school, and in everyday life.

Most importantly, Jessica takes the time to step into each child’s world. Through play, patience, and genuine curiosity, she builds trust and develops a strong therapeutic relationship. In turn, children have a comfortable environment where they can express themselves and learn new skills.

Areas of Focus

Jessica supports children with a variety of emotional, behavioral, social, and school-related concerns. In particular, her areas of focus include:

• Autism
• ADHD
• Anxiety
• Emotional regulation
• Social skills
• Executive functioning
• Behavioral challenges
• School-related concerns
• Trauma
• Life transitions

Additionally, Jessica has a particular passion for working with neurodivergent children. Her specialized experience includes supporting social skills, emotional regulation, and executive functioning. At the same time, she helps children better understand themselves and recognize their individual strengths. Ultimately, her goal is to help children develop strategies for navigating environments that may not always support their individual needs.

Therapeutic Approach

Using a strengths-based and neurodiversity-affirming approach, Jessica helps children recognize their abilities while developing new skills. Through play, curiosity, and genuine connection, children can express themselves, build trust, and grow at their own pace.

Additionally, her approach is trauma-informed and collaborative. Depending on each child’s needs, therapy may include play-based interventions, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), mindfulness, and psychoeducation.

Together, these approaches can help children develop greater emotional awareness and stronger coping skills. Furthermore, therapy can support confidence and resilience while helping children develop skills they can use in everyday life.

Outside the Therapy Office

Outside of work, Jessica enjoys spending time with her fiancé and cats. Additionally, she enjoys reading, thrifting, and getting outside whenever she can. When it’s time to relax, however, she’s always up for a good Netflix binge.