About Anna
Specializing in topics related to: trauma and post-traumatic stress, shame, self-esteem and dependency/codependency; chemical and process dependence; addiction and addiction interaction; sexual compulsivity and cybersex; sexual anorexia to aversion, celibacy and healthy sexuality; fantasy, arousal templates and intimacy; and the impact of life experiences or lack of nurturing on cognitive distortions and dependency/codependency, and interpersonal/intrapersonal relationships.
Professional and Education
Has worked in hospital settings, community behavioral health, inpatient treatment, and private practice. Honored to have had the privilege of working and lecturing with/for, Pia Mellody (using the Pia Mellody’s Post Induction Therapy – PIT – trauma treatment model), as well as working and lecturing with/for Dr. Patrick Carnes (International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals – IITAP), using the Carnes’ 30 Task Model.
- Past 10-year Board Member of the Society for the Advancement of Sexual Health (SASH), the only organization dedicated specifically to helping those who suffer from out of control sexual behavior since 1987 [formerly the National Council on Sexual Addiction and Compulsivity — NCSAC.
- Fully Certified Sexual Addiction and Multiple Addictions Therapist Supervisor [CSAT-S, CMAT-S #2002C-285], including Love Addiction\Love Avoidance, and Money/Work disorders. Completed Dr. Patrick Carnes’ unique training program through the International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals (IITAP).
- EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing).
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker [Arizona #11769].
- Masters Social Worker License, Clinical [Michigan #6801119396].
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker [Utah #6801119396].
- Licensed Independent Addictions Counselor [Arizona #11605].
- NAADAC, The Association for Addiction Professionals [#87516].
- NASW, the National Association of Social Workers [#886273796].
- Clinical Social Work and Psychotherapy Organization of Phoenix (webmistress).
- Master of Science in Clinical Social Work (MSSW), University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA), University of Tennessee, Chattanooga.
- Associate of Science in Business Administration (ASBA), Cochise College.
Author, Speaker, Publications, Lectures and Workshops
- Making Advances book (Co-Author). August 10, 2012. SASH.
- Tasks Letter Writing Technology Panelist / Speaker — Clinical Skills session. The 5th Annual International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals (IITAP) Symposium. March 6, 2010. Carefree, AZ.
- Women’s Summit 2010 participant in the writing of a clinical book on women sex, love and relationship addicts. March 18–20, 2010. Argyle, TX.
- Women’s Summit 2009 participant in beginning the process of research and drafting a treatment manual for women sex, love and relationship addicts. September 23, 2009. San Diego, CA.
- Invited guest to the Women’s Summit 2008 to explore and address specific treatment issues related to women sex addicts. March 27–30, 2008. Santa Fe, NM.
- Eroticized Rage and the Arousal Template. Patrick Carnes’ Anatomy of Arousal and Bargains with Chaos Tour. April 12–13, 2007. Phoenix, AZ.
- The Arousal Template. International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals Symposium: Taking Multiple Addictions to Task. February 22–24, 2007. The Hilton Phoenix/East. Mesa, AZ.
- Recovery Start Kit: The First 130 Days, by Patrick Carnes, Ph.D. CSAT Instructor’s Manual. Part Four (Contributor), 2007. Gentle Path Press. Carefree, AZ.
- Deconstructing the Arousal Template: Using the Arousal Template and Quadrant Formats to Evaluate Degree of Sexual Dysfunction. Sierra Tucson Professional Networking Luncheon Series. November 8, 2006. The Pointe Resort. Scottsdale, AZ.
- Sexual Behaviors: A Continuum. Clinical Social Work and Psychotherapy Organization. Professional Networking and Continuing Education. September, 2006. Phoenix, AZ.
- Sex Addiction: Overview and Assessment. Training to Employee Assistance Professionals Preferred organization. May 16, 2006. Phoenix, AZ.
- Sex Addiction Dynamics. Employee Assistance Professional Association. November 7, 2005. Doubletree Resort. Phoenix, AZ.
- Chemical Dependency Group: for addicts and their codependent families. Spring 2005. Ongoing volunteer group facilitator. Franciscan Renewal Center. Scottsdale, AZ.
- Change: Opportunity, Grief and Choice. Keynote Speaker for the Ninth KeyStone ECU Annual Alumni Weekend. Philadelphia Airport Renaissance Hotel. November 6, 2004. Philadelphia, PA.
- Creating a Healthy Sex Plan. The Meadows Free Lecture Series. Chaparral Christian Church. October 25, 2004. Scottsdale, AZ.
- Healthy SEXuality: Acceptance vs. Rejection. The Meadows Alumni Retreat. Franciscan Renewal Center. May 1, 2004. Scottsdale, AZ.
- The Two Faces: Sexual Addiction & Sexual Anorexia. SAA-Arizona Annual Intergroup Conference. January 2004. Phoenix, AZ.
- Intimacy and Healthy Sexuality: Everything you always wanted to know and were afraid to ask. The Meadows Free Lecture Series. Chaparral Christian Church. July 28, 2003. Scottsdale, AZ.
- Use of Object Relations and Self-Psychology as Treatment for Sex Addiction with a Female Borderline Patient. Sexual Addiction and Compulsivity, 1 January 2002, vol. 9, iss. 4, pp. 249–262(14). Brunner-Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group.
Clinical Expertise
- Private Practice since 2004, specializing in sexually compulsive and avoidance issues, intimacy/couple communication, and healthy sexuality. Treating trauma, substance abuse/dependence, psychiatric disorders, and coping with life’s curveballs.
- Primary Counselor for over three years at an in-patient treatment facility that specializes in dual diagnoses (substance and process abuse/dependence, codependency, and psychiatric disorders).
- Works with individuals, couples, families and groups in the area of Sexual Disorders, assisting clients to actively address psychosocial issues around chemical use, money, work, and sexual behaviors.
- Known and continues to work with Patrick J. Carnes, Ph.D., the most widely respected pioneer in sexual addiction, for over 10 years.
- Uses various psychotherapy models to address your needs and to formulate assessments, evaluations, appraisals, diagnosis, and treatment.
Other
- Facilitating adoption services in Arizona since 2010 for birth parent(s) and adoptive parent(s) to ensure infants and children are given the best possible family, health, education and life opportunities.
- Provided behavioral health field evaluations and assessments to the elderly in their homes as part of an outreach program 2009 to 2010, for HealthNet through Windstone Behavioral Health.
- Fun Fact: I mostly enjoy reading, watching movies, walking, relaxing at home, eating good food, traveling three to six weeks a year, and visiting with family and friends. I have written books of poetry and prose titled “Forever in Freefall” ©1992, and “Living on the Ledge” ©1997. I also wrote the lyrics and some music for my first CD titled “God is Calling You” ©1997. One of my early academic and personal accomplishments was being honored with the title of Sierra Vista Junior Miss in 1981.
Additional Experience
- The Meadows, Wickenburg, Arizona — Primary Counselor. As a member of a multi-modal treatment team, provided assessment, treatment planning, psychotherapy, education, discharge and follow-up related to patients’ and family members’ myriad addictions, psychiatric and dual diagnoses, and interpersonal concerns. Led disclosures, conducted topic groups, and facilitated individual/group/couples/family sessions using family systems theories in conjunction with 12-Step model. Participated in workshops and educational services by Pia Mellody, Claudia Black, Terry Real, John Bradshaw, and Peter Levine.
- Cherokee Health Systems, Knoxville, Tennessee. Member of an interdisciplinary mental health team whose primary objective was to help clients maintain psychiatric wellness. Responsible for completing psychosocial assessments and diagnoses, establishing treatment goals, providing psychoeducation and psychotherapy to individuals, families and a women’s support group. Developed follow-up treatment plans with clients and referring to other professionals as necessary.
- Thompson Cancer Survival Center, Knoxville, Tennessee. Collaborated with multidisciplinary medical professionals in order to provide comprehensive care to cancer patients and their families. Responsible for providing friendly and supportive assistance in the areas of psychotherapeutic and grief counseling, as well as advocate and broker for consumers’ biopsychosocial needs.
- Community Partnership Center, Knoxville, Tennessee. Focused on grant-writing, public relations, community requests for assistance clearinghouse follow-up, and Participatory Research and Evaluation workshop design. Developed comprehensive site relocation prospectus for Knoxville’s $1,000,000 Empowerment Zone project, Center for Neighborhood Development. Created History portfolio and web site for the Minority Applicant Pool System.