I am so grateful that I found my way into the vocation of being a therapist. It is an honor for me to be a part of people's lives in this way. Supporting individuals and families (and the larger communities that they touch) to trust in their inherent wellness and to thrive is, for me, not so much a job, but rather an inspiring privilege.
It means a lot to me to keep all the work I do with people as "client-centered" as possible. This means that my primary job as your therapist is to learn the perspectives and values and style of communication that you bring to the therapeutic process and to allow those things to guide our work together. This client-centered approach, combined with a "strengths-based" philosophy -- like Jon Kabat-Zinn said, "If you are breathing, there is a lot more right with you than wrong with you." -- has continually helped me and the clients I've worked with to cut through confusion about life and to be more at peace with ourselves and the world.
Here's a little bit on my professional background: Prior to becoming a therapist, I worked as an Outward Bound wilderness educator, specializing in work with grieving teens and with women's empowerment programs. I also formerly worked as a victim's advocate for a victims advocacy non-profit agency. Following this, I earned my Master's degree in clinical counseling from the University of Northern Colorado, I have had excellent "on-the ground" training from my clients, who have been, by far and away, the best teachers, as well continued formal education in a range of speciality areas.
I received my Registered Yoga Teacher certification through The Integrative Yoga Therapy training program, as well as training from The University of California San Diego as an instructor of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction. I have taught meditation and therapeutic yoga to groups and individuals throughout most of my almost decade long career as a therapist. Additionally I am trained in EMDR, and The Social Resilience Model (a neurologically- and mindfulness-based approach to working with trauma and other types of anxiety). See more about my work specifically with families and couples in the 'Couples' section.
I also have a lot of varied types of training in "culturally-conscious" counseling. One of my primary areas of specialization is working with particular cultural needs. I believe that the cultures that we come from, as well as the cultural choices that we make in life effect every part of our experience and so our cultural needs must be well attended to in a counseling relationship. This area is another example in which my clients have always been and will continue to be my most important teachers. I look forward to being able to support you to construct a therapeutic experience that is a good "fit" for you.
As I said above, I love this work very much, so thank you in advance for considering putting your trust in me. I look forward to getting to know you.
Additional areas of focus: Addictions, Family conflicts, Grief, Eating disorders, Self esteem, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Depression
CO LPC LPC.0012235
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Anna Lauer Roy. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
I’m very practical and wanted to sort out issues as soon as possible. Anna was a 5 star expert!!!!
Written on Jun 16, 2019 after therapy with Anna for 1 year on issues concerning intimacy-related issues
Anna has been there for me during a stressful period in my life, always with kind words and helpful suggestions.
Written on Oct 23, 2018 after therapy with Anna for 4 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, grief, eating disorders, self esteem, and career difficulties
Anna helped me through one of the most trying mental periods of my life and was super responsive and understanding and helped me frame my situation to get myself into a much better place mentally. She and the BetterHelp platform couldn't have come into my life at a better time, all from a click on Instagram!
Written on Oct 17, 2018 after therapy with Anna for 5 months on issues concerning intimacy-related issues
This was my first experience with therapy and Anna is great to work with. She really listened and got to know me and let me articulate my own thoughts and a feelings and I genuinely feel my anxiety and stress that I've feeling have been minimized. Would highly recommend her for anyone.
Written on Sep 01, 2018 after therapy with Anna for 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, and self esteem
Anna has been so helpful. She is such a calming presence and has been so supportive. She actually listens to my concerns and offers ways I can help myself. It has been the best counseling experience I have had and I am so grateful for her.
Written on Jul 30, 2018 after therapy with Anna for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related, and career
I could not regard Anna more highly! Only a brief number of sessions and I feel I could not have been in better hands.
Written on Jul 21, 2018 after therapy with Anna for 2 weeks on issues concerning relationship, intimacy-related, self esteem, and career