We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Hannah Carlsrud a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hannah, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Was there a moment in your career that meaningfully altered your trajectory? If so, we’d love to hear the backstory.

I was working at an inpatient facility and had a conversation with a patient about why she doesn’t believe in the program and thinks that it doesn’t work. She said she is over it and just wants to go home, and there is no point in living anymore. She said everyone is out to get her, the therapists don’t like her and the groups are not helpful at all. I looked at her and asked her: “have you actually tried?” she asked me what I meant, and I continued saying: “Have you actually participated in the groups, the individual therapy, and family therapy? Have you shared and opened up and are willing to be vulnerable?” She looked down and said no. The next day she started participating and improved within the next 4 weeks drastically. This story is one of many moments I knew I wanted to be a therapist and that therapy can only help if you give your therapist at least an inch of your story.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

As a mom and therapist, I have a passion for the perinatal time, which includes the time from fertility to postpartum and beyond. I offer traditional weekly therapy, as well as therapy intensives in the state of Washington—these range from 90-minute sessions to 3-hour time blocks. I love working with new parents and parents in all life stages. I specialize in helping individuals and couples process their fertility journey, as well as high-risk pregnancies, birth trauma, NICU stays, grief and loss, processing their own childhood trauma, and improving their relationships with the help of EMDR therapy, a trauma therapy approach. I enjoy helping parents find their footing, set boundaries, heal their past traumas, and live a full, beautiful life. I have an empathetic, kind but direct way of doing therapy and we will find your strengths and uncover your life story.
I also offer individual therapy for all individuals at any point in life for individuals on their journey of life facing emotional, behavioral, and mental health concerns, such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, attachment issues, and more. Sometimes we get stuck, feel helpless or hopeless, or like we are all alone. Together, we build coping skills, develop a healthy relationship with yourself and others and move you from a place of discomfort to strength and confidence.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

I think having a good amount of “life experience” is definitely helpful in being a therapist and business owner. Knowing that life is not always straight forward or upward facing. It will have ups and downs- and that’s okay! I also think working in different teams and with different leaders can be so beneficial in building your own resilience and interactional style. It will help you overcome obstacles and hardships and builds knowledge that you otherwise would not have gained. I also think traveling and getting to know and understand different cultures is so helpful too. It keeps you flexible in your approach and increases your ability to understand your client’s viewpoint.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

Network, network, network. I cannot say this enough. I am sure SEO on your website can be beneficial as well. But I think having people who know you personally and understand your style, approach, and background is so incredibly helpful. I also think it builds community and a support structure for when you need someone to turn to you who is in a similar situation as you are (such as business owners in the same industry).

Contact Info:

• Website: https://carlsrudpsychologicalservices.com
• Instagram: @carlsrudpsychologicalservices.com
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-carlsrud-macp-lmhca-569994176
• Other: https://www.psychologytoday.com/profile/1276563

Image Credits

Becky Langseth