Meadowbrook CounselingGilbert, Arizona

I may also incorporate contemplative practices (mindfulness and meditation), expressive therapies, psychodynamic, and cognitive therapies (CBT, ABT, ACT), depending on your individual needs. Throughout my career, I’ve been captivated by the transformative power of psychotherapy in helping clients overcome challenges and lead more fulfilling lives. My specialization lies in assisting clients navigate life transitions, coping with grief and loss, and processing or healing from trauma. Therapy fosters well-being when it enables clients to tap into their unique strengths and internal resources. My commitment to my clients is to build a supportive and collaborative therapeutic relationship. The outcomes of this approach include improved mood and energy, healthier interpersonal functioning, motivation, self-acceptance, and creativity. If you frequently feel overwhelmed, struggle in your relationships, or resort to unhealthy coping mechanisms to manage life’s stressors, or if your current coping skills seem to be ineffective, it is possible to reconnect with yourself, experience your emotions in healthier ways, and cultivate intimacy and balance within your life. You can learn to trust yourself and create space for meaningful relationships. By doing so, you can harness these messages to cope in healthier ways and embrace the positive aspects of your life. Trauma often manifests as relationship challenges, intense emotions, or low self-worth, and maintains your body in a state of constant survival or chronic nervous system activation. By working together, and with your nervous system, we can negotiate healing and help you to live a life of greater connection and freedom. My approach is insightful and direct and I have found that my style is well-suited to helping people find direction and gain clarity from past traumas and oppressive societal messaging. Additionally, clients have told me that my style of relating comes across as very authentic, conversational, and supportive. I acknowledge that people are not their experiences nor their behaviors; however, people create core beliefs about themselves based on these experiences which drive their emotions and behaviors. You already have the answers you seek and my role is to create a safe atmosphere so that those answers may emerge. If you are feeling a spark of hope, this may be the sign you’re ready to take the next step and work on your healing journey. I encourage you to reach out and schedule a free 15-minute consultation call.

I help individuals overcome the burden of diagnostic labels like depression, anxiety, substance use, life transition issues, aging, health complications, chronic pain, and more. By facilitating clients in their journey of reclaiming their sense of meaning and purpose, I empower my clients to gain a deeper understanding of their experiences, behaviors, and emotions (both physical and emotional). As a therapist, supervisor, and evaluator at Meadowbrook Counseling, I work with clients from diverse backgrounds, including adolescents, college students, incarcerated individuals re-entering society, those with chronic pain, LGBTQ+ individuals, tribal communities, and individuals with general mental health concerns. I hold a PsyPACT license and am licensed in 40 states, providing the highest level of clinical practice for psychologists. My work is crucial in fostering adaptive cycles of thinking, behavior, and self-relationship. I have extensive experience working with complex conditions where physical and emotional health intertwine. I am particularly well-versed in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) and behavioral interventions for chronic pain—both of which have been proven to alleviate symptoms and enhance overall quality of life. Additionally, I am trained in EMDR, DBT skills, Motivational Interviewing, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, and psychodynamic/relational therapy. My goal is to provide personalized care that is rooted in empathy, collaboration, and tangible, measurable progress. Beyond my clinical practice, I’ve had extensive experience supervising practicum students, pre/post-doctoral interns, and associate licensed clinicians for the past 11 years. I actively contribute to the development of clinicians’ unique conceptualizations and applications of ethically sound interventions by recognizing their strengths and artistic abilities. My approach is compassionate and evidence-based, combining psychological insight with practical tools to help people regain control of their health and overall well-being. I firmly believe that both the therapeutic setting and therapeutic relationship require creativity and self-awareness to effectively address a wide spectrum of diagnoses and clinical presentations.

My clinical work focuses on areas such as traumatic stress, difficult life transitions, identity development, and a wide range of emotional and behavioral concerns. I have extensive experience working with individuals from all walks of life, and I am dedicated to creating a therapeutic space where every client feels genuinely supported, heard, and affirmed. Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of working with children, adolescents, and adults in both clinical and academic settings—including teaching graduate-level courses on trauma counseling. I believe in providing care that is responsive to each client’s unique story and needs, which is why I draw on evidence-based practices like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and trauma-informed approaches. I am an LGBTQIA+ affirming provider, and my passion for supporting this community extends to my past research on its specific needs. Beyond my one-on-one clinical practice, my dedication extends into advocacy and community efforts. I have been actively involved in supporting foster and adoptive care, promoting behavioral health equity, and aiding individuals experiencing housing insecurity. I am consistently inspired by the resilience of those I work with, and I consider it the greatest privilege to walk alongside my clients on their journey toward healing.

She is also an Army Veteran with more than 16 years of experience supporting individuals, couples, adolescents, and families through life's emotional and behavioral challenges. Dr. Andersen is passionate about providing compassionate, evidence-based care focused on healing, emotional growth, resilience, and meaningful change. Dr. Andersen works with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, stress, relationship difficulties, emotional overwhelm, life transitions, self-esteem concerns, and substance use recovery. She believes therapy should feel supportive, collaborative, and practical — a place where clients feel safe to be honest, understood, and empowered to move forward. Her therapeutic approach is grounded in evidence-based practices including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), trauma-informed interventions, mindfulness-based techniques, and Emotion-Focused Therapy. She also holds certifications in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (C-DBT) and Complex Trauma Therapy (ССТР/CCTI), which support her work with clients navigating trauma, emotional dysregulation, and difficult life experiences. Dr. Andersen helps clients better understand patterns that may be keeping them stuck while building healthier coping skills, emotional regulation, communication, and self-awareness. Clients often describe Dr. Andersen as warm, direct, approachable, and supportive. She understands that seeking therapy can feel vulnerable, and she strives to create an environment where people feel respected, heard, and free from judgment. Her work focuses not only on symptom relief, but also on helping clients strengthen confidence, improve relationships, and create lasting personal growth. Throughout her career, Dr. Andersen has worked in outpatient behavioral health, intensive outpatient programs (OP), residential treatment, correctional behavioral health, tribal healthcare systems, and integrated care settings. She has experience supporting individuals with trauma, PTSD, anxiety, depression, emotional dysregulation, attachment-related concerns, and major life stressors across a wide range of clinical environments. Dr. Andersen earned her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from California Southern University and her Master of Science in Social Administration from Case Western Reserve University. Whether clients are navigating a difficult season, processing past experiences, struggling in relationships, or simply wanting to better understand themselves, Dr. Andersen is committed to helping them build insight, resilience, and meaningful change in their lives.