The Team
Who We Are
Deborah Kozlowski, MSW,
LCSW, CMNCS
LCSW, Owner & Psychotherapist
Deborah is the proud owner of SafeSpace. SafeSpace, which is a group therapy practice, has been a dream of hers for many years, and is now her dream-come-true! Deborah graduated from Loyola University in Chicago in 1997 with her masters in social work and became licensed as an LCSW in 1999. She has worked as a psychotherapist in many different settings, from inpatient hospitals to outpatient environments, to residential homes for children and teens, to group and private practice. Deborah has a knack for connecting with teens, helping them communicate with their parents and working through the rollercoaster ride of adolescence. Deborah is certified as a mental health and nutrition clinical specialist and also supervises therapy staff at SafeSpace. In her free time, Deborah enjoys spending time with family, coloring, Pilates and riding her bike. On a nice day, you may even get a glimpse of her riding her bicycle in to work!
Qualifications:
​
Graduate School: Loyola University
Year Graduated: 1997
License No. 149008780
State: Illinois
NASW Membership since 1995
20+ years of specialized continuing education
_edited.jpg)
.jpg)
Mindy Burkhamer, MSW, LCSW, CADC
LCSW, Clinical Therapist
Mindy graduated from North Central College with a bachelor’s in Psychology and a minor in Business Administration. Prior to her time as a Clinical Therapist, she worked in banking and mortgage for almost twenty years before deciding to follow her heart and passion to help others and obtain her Master’s in Social Work from Aurora University. She specialized in School Social Work and Addictions.
Mindy has experience with a wide range of age groups working in the school system for the last two years and community mental health with the LGBTQ and HIV+ community prior to that. Some of the treatment modalities that she offers is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Mindfulness as well as Walk and Talk. With children, Play and Art Therapy based techniques can also be utilized. Mindy truly believes in focusing on healing as the core of therapy and providing an inclusive, safe setting for each individual to feel heard and progress through treatment.
In her spare time, Mindy loves to spend time with her family, her four daughters, three grandchildren, parents and other extended family. Being outdoors in the woods or a quick trip to the beach are her favorites.
Specialities:
Anxiety
Substance Use
Depression
Trauma and PTSD
Anger Management
Suicidal Thoughts
School Issues
Behavior Issues
Mood Disorders
Personality Disorders
Impulse Control Disorders
LGBTQ
HIV+/AIDS
Body Image
Self-Injury
Qualifications:
​
School: Aurora University
Year Graduated: 2020
License No. 150104807
State: Illinois
Additional Credentials:
​
-
Certificate: Illinois Certification Board- CADC / 36341 Certificate Date: 2020
-
License No. and State: 2485722 Illinois Board of Education- Professional Educator License- Social Work Endorsement
Support Staff
.jpg)
Kurt Keyzer Balbuena
Administrative Assistant
Mark Kozlowski
Tech Support
Danielle Kaduthodil
Social Work Intern in Master's Program
Danielle graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with her Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree in May, 2023. She is currently pursuing her Master of Social Work (MSW) with a specialization in Leadership Administration at Aurora University. Danielle will be performing administrative tasks at SafeSpace to learn about the outpatient practice of clinical social work.
Danielle’s father was a social worker for many years, and it was his work in the field that inspired her from an early age to follow the same path. While social work is not an easy field, with her father’s influence and further research, this was the field that genuinely drew her passion for helping others. Danielle has experience working with various age groups. Other than babysitting, nannying, working at a daycare, and even being a part-time sales associate, her most recent internship at a combined elementary and middle school was the defining factor that confirmed her love for interacting and working with kids. In her free time, Danielle likes to paint, go to the gym and spend time with family and friends.
Kaitlin Lemmer
Social Work Intern in Master's Program
Kaitlin graduated from Iowa State University with her Bachelor of Psychology and Human Development and Family Science degree in May of 2023. Kaitlin is currently working toward her Master of Social Work (MSW) with a specialization in School Social Work at Aurora University. Kaitlin is currently performing administrative tasks to learn about the outpatient practice of clinical social work.
​
Kaitlin has a passion for working with children and adolescents with different backgrounds. Kaitlin has been employed at her local park district and also has been babysitting for several years. In addition, Kaitlin has worked alongside Fox Valley Special Recreation Association (FVSRA). There were other paths that Kaitlin was thinking about pursuing, but they did not feel as fitting as social work. Working with children for many years has inspired her to follow the path of the social work profession to help children mentally and academically.
​
When Kaitlin has free time from school and work, she enjoys reading, coloring, and spending time with friends and family.