Robin Andersen, LMFT
“The release of emotions, Mr. Spock, is what keeps us healthy – emotionally healthy, that is.”
(Dr. McCoy, Star Trek: The Original Series, “Plato’s Stepchildren”)
Let’s face it… there are times when Mr. Spock’s masked emotions and cold logic simply don’t cut it for us. We want to explore who we are as human beings, and we want to connect with someone who’s more than a “blank slate.” Therapists can bring compassion, authenticity, and humor to their sessions with clients, while still maintaining a sense of professionalism.
So here’s your opportunity to learn more about me, the Nerdy Therapist.
My Origin Story
Being a “nerd” was never something I was ashamed of while growing up. In my mind, the “happiest place on Earth” was the library or bookstore. My computer was a magical portal to the World Wide Web and all it had to offer. Pokémon was a TV series, AND a video game series, AND a trading card game that warranted dedication on the weekends. I was on a never-ending quest to connect with fellow Browncoats, Gamers, Otakus, Potterheads, Tolkienites, and Trekkies.
Nevertheless, there were plenty of times when I felt like an “outsider.” The middle school years were marked by crippling social anxiety, even within my group of friends. This daily struggle led to an exploration of psychology and human behavior. I became fascinated with the idea of not only helping myself, but helping those around me. I determined that I could always become a librarian later in life: first, I needed to become a therapist.
My Approach
You are not defined by your mental health diagnosis – you are defined by your passions, roles, and relationships. So when we meet for our first session together, I won’t stop at clarifying the “presenting issues” or the “treatment goals.” If you are a self-identified nerd, I will ask you to share your hobbies and interests, because I recognize that’s an important aspect of who you are.
From there, I will adopt a collaborate approach with you that emphasizes your strengths and focuses on solutions vs. dwelling on perceived weaknesses and problems. If you are open to “nerding out” in sessions that are characterized by warmth, respect, growth, and humor, then you had better prepare yourself for lots of metaphors and pop culture references (which reflect YOUR interests!).
I want to help you “level up” by introducing practical skills that can be applied to everyday life. I also believe in assigning “quests” to be completed between therapy sessions, so you can get the most out of our time together. The therapeutic journey can be brief or prolonged, and I will check in with you often to ensure I am still a good fit for you, regardless of how long we work together for.