Meet Upsider Therapy Associate Therapist, Kendall!
By: Kendall Bovarnick, LCSW
Hi, I’m Kendall! I am a therapist who works with teens and young adults navigating life’s messier moments, those times when everything feels uncertain, overwhelming, or just too much.
I’ve always believed that therapy should feel like a conversation with someone who really sees you, not someone who’s trying to “fix you”, but someone who helps you understand yourself better. That’s the kind of space I aim to create: a space that is warm, collaborative, and judgement free.
I grew up in Newton, Massachusetts, and went to Syracuse University for undergrad where I studied Psychology. From there, I graduated from Columbia University's School of Social Work in 2017. My path into mental health care was shaped by curiosity, empathy and a deep desire to support people during the times they feel most stuck, lost or disconnected.
Over the years, I’ve worked in both school and hospital settings, and those experiences continue to inform how I show up as a therapist today.
In schools, I’ve worked with children and adolescents trying to stay afloat amid academic pressure, social stress, identity struggles, and the constant expectation to “have it all together”. I know firsthand how much pressure is placed on young people, and how easy it is for anxiety, burnout, or sadness to creep in when they don’t have a place to process it all.
In hospital settings, I’ve supported patients living with chronic illnesses and their families navigating it with them. It’s humbling work and it has taught me so much about resilience, vulnerability, and how essential emotional care is during life’s most difficult seasons.
Now in private practice, I specialize in working with:
Teens and young adults facing anxiety, depression, or low self-esteem
Students feeling overwhelmed by academic and social pressure
Anyone who feels, stuck, uncertain, or just not like themselves
New mom’s navigating the post-partum world
Therapy isn’t about quick fixes, it’s about showing up, exploring what’s going on underneath the surface, and building tools to help move forward with clarity and self-trust. You don’t need to have all the answers and you certainly don’t need to be in crisis! You just need to be willing to take the first step. If you are looking to start your journey to therapy, feel free to reach out today! I know it can be intimidating and scary to reach out for support.
Here are three fun facts about me to help you learn more about who I am outside of the office:
1. I’m always on the lookout for a hidden gem restaurant and coffee shop
2. I love traveling and exploring new places and cultures
3. My biggest joy is taking long walks through Central Park with my daughter
I am here to help you become a more confident and empowered version of yourself!