Tori Anders, LPC-A. Anxiety, Attachment, Substance Use

What made you decide to become a counselor?

I’ve had a fascination with human nature and the life stories of others for as long as I can remember. However, I first felt the tingle when I saw “Good Will Hunting” at age twelve and learned therapy was even an option. The way Robin William’s character was able to help facilitate Will’s healing deeply moved me. However, I didn’t get serious about choosing this life path until many years later after having my own life-changing experience with therapy. It became crystal clear to me that I wanted to support others in doing their life’s work too.

If you could teach the world one skill or technique to improve their lives, what would it be?

The Double Breathing technique! There are some variations of this technique, but my “go to” would be—Inhale through your nose down into your belly, brief hold, then breathe deeply into your chest, brief hold, then slow and smooth, exhale out through your mouth as if blowing out of a straw, hold for a beat at the bottom of your breath and begin again. 

Repeating this breath in succession for just a few minutes can down regulate the nervous system, reduce stress & anxiety, promote both mental and physical recovery, and even be a sleep aid. The breath is the most powerful built-in tool we have!

Have you personally been in counseling and if so, what did you learn about yourself?

Yes, and I still see my therapist monthly and more often when there are certain things I need a little extra help to work though. For me, starting the process was like opening one door and then many other doors appeared before me. What I thought I needed to work on was just the tip of the iceberg. If I had to sum it up quickly—I got to know my wounds, my patterns, and my strengths. I learned how to be vulnerable, and I received the emotional validation I desperately needed. I found my voice and values, embraced sober living and learned better ways of managing my brand of anxiety.

If you could recommend one book to all your clients, what would it be?

Oof that’s tough. It really depends on the client. But I think “The Anatomy of Anxiety” by Dr. Ellen Vora could be useful to anyone open to learning about how the human fear response works for us and sometimes against us. It delves into the mindbody connection, the biological causes of anxiety, the kind of anxiety brought on by psychological misalignments. It’s an easy read or listen and can be a game changer for anyone wanting to better understand and manage their anxiety.

What inspires you to help others?

Knowing there is so much needless suffering that could be mitigated by genuine connection validation, support, and psychoeducation keeps me ever motivated to do this work.

How do you personally practice self-care?

I’ve learned I need consistent time in nature, intentional movement/breath, and self-expression to feel like my best self; mostly in the form of yoga, meditation, long walks, journaling, creative projects, and meaningful conversations.

If you are hosting a dinner party, who are the 3 people you would invite and why?

Comedian, Fern Brady; Musician, Karen O; Writer, Catherine Gray. These are all women I admire for their dedication to their respective arts and they’ve all pushed the limits to advance societal views and expectations. They also seem real fun!

How do you relate to Mindfulness? Give an example of how you incorporate it in your sessions.

Mindfulness is a concept and practice I bring to my sessions and my everyday life. It’s a way of being in which we focus our attention on the present moment with curiosity and openness. When we show up this way over and over, it increases our self-awareness, reduces internal noise, and brings more intentionality to our actions as opposed to blind reactivity. Specific mindfulness techniques I bring to the therapy room include mindful breathing, body scans, guided meditation, and assisting clients in observing their thoughts & feelings