Anastasia Pedersen

I was raised in a family that struggled with mental health and addiction issues. In early childhood, I entered the foster care system and was adopted by another family. These experiences ignited a curiosity to understand why people behave the way they do. Even more, it facilitated my passion to help others reach the best versions of themselves.

I have a friend who was brave enough to confide in me that she has OCD. Learning about her experiences, before and after treatment, inspired me to help others find relief and improve their quality of life.

I completed my graduate internship at my college’s counseling center. This gave me the opportunity to work with the college population, which included focus areas such as career, anxiety, depression, identity, time management, and grief counseling. After graduation, my first job was providing counseling to people who were in medication-assisted treatment for their substance abuse.

This type of therapy requires an open mind and a willingness to try. More than likely, there will be times that you feel uncomfortable—but that is the point! Growth comes from discomfort. The fact that you're here looking for treatment already tells me you can do it. Remember that you're not doing this alone. You will have me and an entire community supporting you.

Please tell me if you're feeling this way. I want to help you reach a place where you feel comfortable sharing with me. I understand how hard it is to trust and confide in others—especially when we're strangers and I'm asking you questions most people don't. No matter what you share with me, you can anticipate my response to be compassionate and made with a desire to understand.