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Anderson is newest face, but long-respected name in NUMC outpatient mental healthBetsy Anderson, Psy.D., is the newest face among the outpatient mental health practitioners at the New Ulm Medical Center. The surname may sound familiar in connection with local mental health services. Her mother, Patricia Anderson, RN, CNS, has been a mental health practitioner at NUMC since 1983. In fact, Betsy has, in a way, moved back in with mom – she and her mother are sharing an office. “My mother was definitely a big influence, working as a clinical nurse specialist in mental health,” Anderson said. “I also wanted to be a professional in an area where I am able to work with and help a variety of people.” After earning her bachelor’s degree in psychology from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Anderson worked a little and traveled extensively for the next four years. She spent time in the middle-east and North Africa and lived in Guatamala for about five months. “I did some volunteer work there doing manual labor kinds of jobs, but I also did a lot of backpacking around the area,” she said. She still has not lost that wanderlust and loves to travel, but it’s a little more difficult these days – she would have to carry a lot more luggage. She and her husband, Eric Elias, have a two-year-old son, Will, and a one-year-old daughter, Iris. Eric is a biology instructor at Gustavus Adolphus College. Anderson has a broad-based practice dealing with adults, young adults and adolescents. She earned her doctorate from the Minnesota School of Professional Psychology in 2005 then worked for a year at the Gustavus Adolphus counseling center and a year at Sioux Trails Mental Health Center. She believes in a holistic approach to her practice. “I try to look at all aspects of a person’s life rather than being problem-focused,” she said. “My methods are client-centered. I like to work with the person to figure out the best route toward health.” Anderson feels that working with the patients she sees is a privilege. “Being trusted enough to hear their stories – it’s very humbling,” she said. Family is a big part of her life. Anderson is the youngest of five children – all of whom live nearby. There are 16 grandchildren in the family, including her two. “We all love to get together at the family farm near Madelia,” she said. She delights in watching Will and Iris connect with their older cousins. Anderson’s part time schedule at the medical center is ideal for spending time with her children. She began her new position at NUMC in September, about the same time her husband began at Gustavus, she said. “There’s never a dull moment at our house these days.” |
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New Ulm Medical Center
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