carol r. Anderson, Ph.D.
Life is like riding a bicycle, wobbling and teetering until we find a center, a balance. To succeed one gets up again after a fall, to try, try again. There’s no evidence that beating or shaming that rider will make the process faster or better. No one can be forced to ride; to ride is a choice. But wise, supportive people can be found to ride along side, to lighten a load.
There is no such thing as perfection; we all struggle with something, whether for a season or for a lifetime. I approach each client with compassion, learning their unique strengths to help them utilize their own courage and resilience to overcome and move forward. I help my clients stay mindful that no matter their age or what their history held, they can begin to take charge of their lives. Every day is a new day to find or reconnect with your gifts and talents, to foster relationships, including with yourself, and to create a life of purpose and meaning.
My first career was in Occupational Therapy, where I worked in hospital settings, specializing in neurological recovery. My experiences educated me in the mind-body connection and the biological basis of holistic recovery. My interest spurred my second career as a Psychologist. I earned my Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the Wright Institute, where I studied psychodynamic models of psychological development, relationships, and attachment. Over the past 20 years I have continued my training to include therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). I use these therapeutic modalities, with an empathic approach, to construct individualized treatment plans to help clients on their healing journey. I work with adults, including seniors, individually and in groups, with the following concerns: life transitions, relationships, depression, anxiety, trauma, abuse, and victims of crime.
I identify as a cisgendered woman and respond to the pronouns “she,” “her,” and “hers.” When I’m not working, I make sure to carve out time to connect with family and friends. I promote my own wellbeing through creative arts. I enjoy helping others and spend significant time volunteering and finding ways to be of service to others in my community.