Katarzyna Polish Psychology and Counseling Services

Kasia Wereszczynska, MA, LCPC, NCC, RYT, Eagala Certified MHP,  founded and is clinical director of Counseling Speaks, LLC, a multicultural group practice serving the Chicago metropolitan with additional locations in Park Ridge, Chicago, Barrington and Lake Forest. She has an extensive training and 15+ years’ experience in crisis intervention, cognitive-behavioral therapy and positive psychology. She has provided counseling to a culturally diverse population serving the South Side of Chicago and the North Shore area. She has a history of working in various settings including the mental health court system, hospital emergency rooms, community mental health agencies, schools and both inpatient/outpatient psychiatric hospital settings. Mrs. Wereszczynska graduated with her Master’s from the Illinois School of Psychology and serves on the Chi Sigma Iota (CSI) International Counselor Community Engagement Committee. She has contributed to the Illinois Diversity in Leadership Task Force Committee, Argosy University Chicago Counselor Education Advisory Board and the Schultz Foundation for Advancing Counseling.

Mrs. Wereszczynska has spent 10 +years as an American Counseling Association (ACA) member and has engaged in numerous leadership experiences including but not limited to: participation in the Illinois Counseling Association (ICA) Leadership Development Academy (LDA), Past President of the Chicago Counseling Association (CCA), and Past President of Illinois Association of Multicultural Counseling (IAMC). She has supported the European Branch-American Counseling Association (EB-ACA) for 4+ years. Beyond her dedication to various counseling organizations, she has served on the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Metro Sub Board, volunteered with the Sheilah Doyle Foundation, amongst other various organizations. She was President for the Mediterranean Region Counselors Association (MR-CA) an organization aiming to serve counselors living or working in the Mediterranean region of Europe. The purpose is to provide professional development and a sense of community for counselors, with the goal of promoting wellness within the communities they serve. MR-CA serves Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Turkey, Spain, Portugal, France, Malta, Monaco, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Albania and Montenegro. In addition, she teaches psychology classes at Oakton Community College and has taught counseling and psychology classes at the University of St. Francis and Chicago School of Professional Psychology.

Within and among the aforementioned roles, Mrs. Wereszczynska has received due recognition. In 2018 she was recognized by the American Association for Women in Community Colleges (AAWCC) with the 40 Under 40 Award. Supporting the advancement of women in community colleges is a core value of AAWCC, and the award recognizes outstanding female leaders under the age of 40 working at a community college. In late 2017 she received the Distinguished Service Award for Outstanding Service to Mental Health Counseling as a Profession awarded by the Illinois Mental Health Counselors Association. In early 2017, she earned the Women You Should Know Award via She Rocks It, an organization that celebrates women leaders. In 2016 she was nominated for the Beauty Inside Out Reflection Award, which “celebrate(s) and honor(s) the life-changing and life- affirming contributions and success of beautiful women everywhere”. In 2015 she received the University of St. Francis College of Arts & Sciences Alumni Award due to her contributions in the counseling and psychology field. In 2014 she received the Women Who Change the World award, namely for her work with In Her Shoes Foundation. And in 2013 she received the Leading Ladies International Award, noting her efforts toward educating and empowering multicultural individuals.

Kasia provides the integration of her passion for counseling, horses, and yoga when working with individuals experiencing feelings of sadness, nervousness, constant worry, and difficulties managing stress, by developing a more positive outlook on life, building stronger relationships with self and others and learning to be their best self. Mrs. Wereszczynska is also an international and keynote speaker with noted presentations in the USA, Europe and Canada based on her areas of expertise: “The Cost of Caring: Compassion Fatigue, Vicarious Trauma and Burnout” and “Rising Above: A multicultural approach to mentoring women towards successful careers in counseling and psychology.” In addition, she has spoken about Mental Wellness and Stress Management for various organizations and provided yoga workshops at hospitals, women’s retreats and in corporate settings. A few other noted presentations include “Trauma of Victimization: Critical Symptoms, Response, and Recovery.”, “Correlations between teen violence & behavioral health.”, “Strategies and techniques on de-escalating crisis situations.”, “Opioid use disorder: An epidemic beginning in our medicine cabinets.”, “Reducing deadly school violence: Prevention through understanding behavioral health.”, “Serving clients with mental health disabilities”, “Finding the courage within: On becoming a leader among professional counselors.” , “Bullying and mobbing: Understanding the trauma and injury associated with workplace hostilities” , “Be Confident: 7 Ways to Improve Your Self-Esteem” ,“The Psychology of Stress Management: Understanding Mindfulness & Meditation” , “Gang Members Also Have Needs: Considering Prevention+ Intervention Programs to Mitigate Recidivism” , “8 Strategies to Increase Productivity in the Workplace” , “Nature, nurture and their influence over children with suicidal and/or homicidal thoughts” , “Learning Is More Fun Together in Higher Education: Creative Ways to Improve Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion”, and many more.

Mrs. Wereszczynska is the founder of In Her Shoes Foundation (IHSF), served for many years as a crisis worker supporting young girls and women on the south-side of Chicago and the North Shore area. These experiences led her to want to further inspire and empower women and girls, and so the In Her Shoes Foundation mission began to expand. IHSF a 501c (3) nonprofit whose vision is to empower and inspire every woman and girl to be her personal best. The mission of IHSF is to embrace the potential of all women and girls by providing: Positive Influences, Learning Opportunities, Community Partnerships and Leadership Development.

Mrs. Wereszczynska’ s passion in life, giving hope to others, is what she has done throughout her years of experience as a crisis worker on the Southside of Chicago. Hope is the most important thing in the world. It allows people to still see the light when they are so shackled in darkness. Accordingly, the vision of the foundation is to provide women and girls with the tools necessary to live a positive and healthy lifestyle, which led toward an initiative that fostered professional development workshops (Ready Set Woman Academy), youth mentor program (Ready Set Girls Academy), yoga retreats, and group volunteer community events (Giving Back Program). Not only does the foundation provide hope for those who participate in its activities, it provides hope to all the volunteers--allowing each one to see that their actions truly do make a difference. Through in Her Shoes Foundation those involved continually lift up and support one another every day. They are an anchor and inspiration. They keep one another going and on course to their dreams to make this world a better place than when they first entered into it. Their drive and dedication manifest itself with a delightful manner that is key in working with a wide variety of personalities and situations. Without their dedication, this work would never be possible.