LPC, 23 years of experience
Welcome! I came to this work a little differently than some. After spending 16 years in my first career, I found myself sitting across from a therapist for the first time. That experience changed my life. It gave me not only a new perspective on myself but also a deep desire to help others in the same way. So, I made a big leap: I went back to school to become a therapist myself. Since then, it’s been over two decades of meaningful, often humbling work. I spent 21 years in community-based mental health and substance abuse treatment, and I was fortunate to serve as a contracted therapy provider for the Department of Defense—work that gave me a profound respect for the strength and resilience of those who serve. I’ve also worked in private group practice and provided therapy in intensive outpatient programs in Canada, gaining experience with a wide range of individuals and challenges along the way. In November 2021, I opened my own private practice. It’s been an incredible privilege to support individuals and couples in this more personal setting, and I truly value the relationships I build with each client. If you’re considering therapy, I want you to know you're not alone—and change really is possible.
Much of our first session will be spent getting to know one another. I've found that clients are unique, and so are the issues they face. It takes time and effort to develop a working relationship, and we'll set the groundwork for that during our initial session. If we aren't able to be open and direct with each other, it can impact our work together. You'll have the opportunity to tell me what brought you to see me, and describe your desired outcome. We'll explore some of the ways we might plan to reach your goals, and we'll talk about some of the tools we may use to get the results you're looking for.
I'm very mindful of the importance of actively listening, and clients mention that they feel heard. I'm curious about how our pasts influence the present, and how present actions shape our future. In a non-judgmental way, I help people identify the roadblocks that impede change and make room for an improved quality of life. I enjoy helping you become someone who learns how to nurture yourself, and can invite others in your life to join you in that process.
I love working with clients who are really ready to dig in and do the work — and that doesn’t mean having everything figured out. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. Ideal clients are often the ones who are simply open — open to feedback, open to new ideas, and open to exploring different ways of thinking and coping, even if it feels a little uncomfortable at first. They’re also usually folks who are curious about themselves. Maybe they want to understand why they react a certain way in relationships, or they’re trying to break an old habit, or they just want to feel more in tune with their emotions. That desire to become more self-aware is such a powerful part of the process — it helps therapy move from just talking to real, meaningful change. And honesty? That’s the heart of it all. A great client doesn’t have to spill everything at once or be 100% sure of what they’re feeling, but being honest with themselves and their therapist creates the kind of trust that really makes therapy work. Even saying, “I’m not sure” or “This is hard to talk about” is honest — and that kind of openness can lead to real breakthroughs. At the end of the day, the best clients aren’t perfect — they’re just willing to show up, be real, and stay open to the journey. That’s where the magic happens.
Robert E Anderson offers therapy covered by Kaiser Permanente - Medicaid and UnitedHealthcare/Optum - Medicaid in Virginia.
In my therapy practice, I often use something called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT for short. Don’t let the name intimidate you — it’s actually a very down-to-earth and practical approach. The idea behind CBT is pretty simple: the way we think affects how we feel, and how we feel affects what we do. So if we can start to notice and shift some of those unhelpful thought patterns, we can start feeling better and making choices that support our well-being. In our sessions, we might work on identifying those sneaky, automatic thoughts that tend to pop up — things like “I’m not good enough” or “Nothing ever works out for me.” We’ll gently explore where they come from, how they’re impacting you, and then look at more balanced, realistic ways of thinking that feel more supportive and empowering. We’ll also talk about behaviors — what you do when you’re anxious, overwhelmed, or stuck — and come up with new coping strategies that help you respond in ways that line up with the life you want to live. I may give you some simple tools or exercises to try between sessions so you can start applying what we talk about in real life, where it really counts. CBT isn’t about just “thinking positive” — it’s about building awareness, challenging old patterns, and creating practical change. It’s collaborative, active, and honestly, it can be pretty empowering. And we’ll go at a pace that feels right for you.
When I work with clients, I often incorporate Dialectical Behavior Therapy—or DBT for short—because it’s such a practical and empowering approach, especially for folks who are feeling overwhelmed by intense emotions, struggling with relationships, or just trying to make daily life feel more manageable. DBT is all about finding balance—holding space for two seemingly opposite things to be true at the same time. For example: "I’m doing the best I can right now" and "I want to learn to do better." That idea of holding both acceptance and change is at the heart of DBT, and it creates room for growth without judgment or pressure. We focus on four main areas: Mindfulness, which helps you stay present and aware in the moment, Distress Tolerance, for managing crises without making things worse, Emotion Regulation, to help you understand and shift how you feel, and Interpersonal Effectiveness, which supports you in building and maintaining healthy relationships. Depending on your needs, I might guide you through specific DBT skills during session, or I may offer worksheets, exercises, or journaling prompts to try between sessions. I like to keep things practical and collaborative—this isn’t about perfection, it’s about building tools you can actually use in your real, everyday life. Most importantly, I approach DBT with flexibility and compassion. It’s not about rigid rules—it’s about helping you feel more in control, more connected, and more equipped to handle life’s ups and downs.
In my therapy practice, I often draw from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy—or ACT (pronounced like the word "act")—because it’s such a compassionate, down-to-earth approach for working through the challenges life throws our way. ACT isn’t about trying to get rid of uncomfortable thoughts or feelings. Instead, it helps us change our relationship with them. The idea is that pain and discomfort are part of being human—but they don’t have to run the show. So rather than fighting with anxiety, sadness, or self-doubt, we practice noticing them, making space for them, and choosing how we want to respond. A big part of ACT is helping you get really clear on your values—what truly matters to you—and then supporting you in taking small, meaningful steps in that direction, even when life feels hard. It’s about living with more intention and less avoidance. We’ll use mindfulness to build awareness and presence, acceptance strategies to help soften resistance, and committed action to help you move forward. Sometimes I’ll offer exercises, metaphors, or journaling prompts to explore between sessions—little tools to help you stay connected to your values and grounded in your progress. Ultimately, ACT is about helping you build a life that feels rich and meaningful—not perfect, but true to you. It’s about learning to “be with” what you can’t control and taking action where you can.