Education: Master’s Degree in Social Work from California State University, Long Beach; Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Illinois State University. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and is the Northeastern District Chair for NASW.
Client Base: Ms. Brunk has worked in a variety of private and public settings within the social services field, including private nonprofit child welfare, the Department of Children and Family Services in Los Angeles County, the Department of Human Services in Illinois (Early Intervention Program), and
private outpatient practice. She currently works with clients throughout the developmental lifespan, including young children, adolescents and adults with developmental disabilities; foster and adoptive youth; children and adults suffering from depression, anxiety, grief and trauma; children and adults with Autism Spectrum disorder and ADHD; and people challenged with various transitions within their lives.
Therapeutic Approach: Ms. Brunk takes an ecological approach, incorporating systems theory throughout her practice. She believes people are affected by myriad systems in their lives (family, community, society). With effective treatment, clients can acknowledge and address mental, emotional and behavioral issues that impact their everyday routines, and regain function and
control, with a goal to find joy in their lives. Taking a strength-based approach, Ms. Brunk seeks to provide a friendly, safe, and calm environment where clients can feel empowered to enhance those parts of their lives that are going well, and recognize those areas that require change. Ms. Brunk incorporates cognitive, behavioral, play therapy and other traditional talk therapy methods in her
practice. She also utilizes EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) in her treatment approach.