My name is Bridget Anderson-Trim, and I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker with six years of experience working with youth and families in mental health. I hold a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice and a Master's in Social Work. My passion is helping young people and young adults navigate challenges related to focus, trauma, emotional regulation, and social relationships. I provide tailored strategies to support them in improving executive functioning, managing emotions, and building healthier connections with others. Whether working with youth or first-generation college students, my goal is to empower them to overcome obstacles and thrive in their personal and academic lives.
During the first session you can expect to discuss the challenges you are facing as well as the goals you would like to reach. We will also discuss your history and possible attributing factors, if known. The first session is an opportunity for you and I to get to know me another and begin our collaborative relationship. We will discuss possible approaches and modalities that can be used within throughout the treatment.
My greatest strengths as a clinician are my creativity and ability to create individually tailed treatments for clients and work collaboratively with them to achieve their healing goals.
My ideal clients are youth aged 3-17 and young adults, including those managing the transition into adulthood or first-generation college students. I help them improve focus and attention by providing strategies that enhance their ability to stay on task, prioritize, and manage distractions. Through understanding the effects of past trauma, I guide them in recognizing its impact on their daily functioning, helping them decrease its interference. They also work to strengthen their executive functioning skills, improve social connections, reduce feelings of isolation, and learn how to better understand, express, and manage their emotions. Ultimately, they aim to build healthier relationships and navigate life with greater confidence and emotional resilience.
As a clinician specializing in working with BIPOC youth and young adults, I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients identify negative thought patterns, develop coping strategies, and build emotional resilience. I incorporate culturally responsive approaches to make CBT relatable, using real-life examples and strengths-based techniques. Whether addressing anxiety, ADHD, trauma, or depression, I guide clients in challenging unhelpful thoughts, practicing emotional regulation, and engaging in positive behaviors. My goal is to empower young people with practical tools to manage their mental health and navigate life’s challenges with confidence.
In one-on-one therapy, I use play therapy to help youth express emotions, process experiences, and develop coping skills in a way that feels natural and safe. Through activities like drawing, storytelling, and role-playing, children can communicate their thoughts and feelings when words alone may not be enough. Play therapy also promotes emotional regulation, builds trust, and teaches problem-solving skills. In family therapy, I incorporate play-based techniques to strengthen relationships, improve communication, and foster connection between caregivers and children. Interactive activities, such as collaborative storytelling or therapeutic games, create a space where families can explore emotions, practice healthy interactions, and address conflicts in a supportive environment. This approach helps caregivers better understand their child’s perspective while reinforcing positive attachment and emotional support.
I use Motivational Interviewing (MI) to help youth and young adults explore their ambivalence, build self-motivation, and make meaningful changes in their lives. By using open-ended questions, affirmations, and reflective listening, I create a supportive space where clients feel heard and empowered to identify their own reasons for change. This approach is especially effective for individuals struggling with anxiety, ADHD, or life transitions, as it encourages self-awareness and autonomy. In sessions, I help clients recognize their strengths, set achievable goals, and develop confidence in their ability to make positive choices. Through MI, I guide clients toward change at their own pace while reinforcing their personal values and motivations.
I incorporate Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills to help youth and young adults manage emotions, improve distress tolerance, and build healthier relationships. Techniques such as mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness provide clients with practical tools to navigate challenges. I use DBT interventions like grounding exercises and thought-balancing strategies to support clients dealing with anxiety, trauma, and emotional dysregulation. By reinforcing these skills in sessions and encouraging real-life application, I help clients develop greater emotional resilience and self-awareness.