Aloha, I am Ula Anderson. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I meet my clients with warmth and look forward to helping them. I committed to providing treatment that is Culturally Competent & Trauma Informed. I have 20+ years of experience treating trauma & developmental & behavioral disorders.
My approach
I use a client-centered perspective & encourage client feedback about therapy direction. The most powerful approach I have found is sincere unconditional positive regard. I believe that the client knows themselves best, and I can help guide them to gain skills or do the emotional processing they need.
My focus
I have spent the last couple of decades treating people with sexual abuse issues and other forms of trauma. In doing trauma work, I have also treated substance abuse since they are usually connected. I have also worked with those with Autism and developmental disabilities. I have also worked with people experiencing domestic violence. I have worked with people 0-100 years old. I have treated many children and helped with parenting issues.
My communication style
My clients report that after they meet me, they feel less scared and anxious coming to therapy. I am kind and very compassionate. I ask for feedback about what helps clients feel comfortable and safe. I am not a distant professional. I genuinely care for all humans. My clients feel this right away. I also have worked with a variety of ages and cultures which allows me to meet people in their communication style. If clients want feedback, it is always expressed with care.
My journey to therapy
I have always had a healing personality. I started my education to become a nurse. I had to take a developmental psychology course and enjoyed it so much that I switched my major. I do this work to help others. It's my main driving force. I would like the world to be a safer, healthier place for all humans. I can achieve this goal by being a therapist. It won't fix it in my lifetime, but the seeds I've planted will continue to make the world improve even after I'm gone.
My goals for you
I ask them what I can help them with. I can be as detailed as they would like.
My first session with you
We always start slow and figure out how they respond to being in therapy. I follow what the client is comfortable with and take it from there.