Photo of Olivia Anderson, Marriage & Family Therapist Associate in 80021, CO
Olivia Anderson
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MA, MFTC
Verified Verified
Broomfield, CO 80021
It can be hard to know where to start when looking for support for your child. I offer support by providing a safe space to explore all the big emotions your child may be feeling through therapeutic play. I will work with you and your child to develop skills to express those big emotions in healthy ways. I believe children and adults have the ability to grow and change in positive ways when experiencing a safe atmosphere and an authentic therapeutic relationship. I am passionate about seeing positive change in families as a whole and work to develop healthy connections between family members.
It can be hard to know where to start when looking for support for your child. I offer support by providing a safe space to explore all the big emotions your child may be feeling through therapeutic play. I will work with you and your child to develop skills to express those big emotions in healthy ways. I believe children and adults have the ability to grow and change in positive ways when experiencing a safe atmosphere and an authentic therapeutic relationship. I am passionate about seeing positive change in families as a whole and work to develop healthy connections between family members.
(720) 649-5276 View (720) 649-5276
Female Therapists

Does it matter what gender my therapist is?

In general, this is not an important factor, as there is no relationship between a therapist’s gender and their efficacy. Some clients, however, prefer to see therapists of a particular gender, whether due to their own past experiences with men and women, or ingrained beliefs about how people of different genders think and behave. Exploring the roots of such preferences and considering what one wants to address in therapy can help someone determine whether their therapist’s gender truly matters to them.

Should I see a female therapist?

Many people—not just women—prefer to see a female therapist, either because they believe that a woman will be able to relate to their specific challenges (for example, sexism in the workplace) or because they imagine feeling more comfortable disclosing sensitive information to a woman. Such beliefs may not turn out to be accurate, however, and adhering too rigidly to a gender preference can at times hinder a client from finding the best therapeutic match.

Do therapists get specific training to help with women’s concerns?

Therapists are trained to provide care to clients of any gender. However, some therapists—both men and women—may pursue additional training in feminist therapy, gender-specific issues, or women’s mental health. Female clients may wish to ask prospective therapists whether they have received specific training in the client’s primary area(s) of concern, or whether they have worked extensively with women on issues similar to their own.

How can I inquire about a therapist’s experience in treating women?

It’s OK—even encouraged!—to ask a therapist directly whether and how often they have treated women in the past, or whether they have treated women dealing with the client’s most prominent concern(s). Competent therapists will be happy to share their educational background, preferred treatment modalities, and prior client experience to help an individual find the therapist best suited to their needs.