I never imagined that mental health would become my life's work, but through a series of personal experiences, the profession found me. At 8 years-old, I was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy, a degenerative muscle disease that stripped me of ability to walk by the time I was 12 years old. At the time, my mind was firmly set on being a ‘brain scientist,’ which later changed to a ‘professor of literature,’ then ‘social advocate,’ and eventually a clinical social worker. I can proudly say today that social work led me to become a therapist, paving way to become an educator and a ‘brain scientist.’ Life, indeed, comes full circle!

As a young teenager, my family and I escaped the Soviet Union, fleeing harsh persecution of Jews after its collapse. We arrived in the United States with just $25 and memories of loss and survival. Raised by my grandparents, who were Holocaust survivors, I experienced firsthand the weight of generational trauma. The hardships of our early years—living in cramped quarters, learning English, and striving for success—taught me resilience, humility, and the will to survive against all odds…there were many.

Even in the new millennium of modern NYC, it was a struggle to find a college campus and public transportation that would accommodate my needs as someone using motorized wheelchair. In fact, I was the only student in the wheelchair who graduated Pace University in 2003 and later, NYU in 2006.

My path to becoming a psychotherapist, however, did not originate with ‘disabled girl against all odds’ story. It was shaped by a life-changing event. On September 11th, 2001, I found myself at the World Trade Center in the midst of the terrorist attacks. The traumatic aftermath left me with deep emotional scars, leading to years of suppressed emotions and survivor's guilt. The experience helped me discover my passion for helping others heal from their own pain and trauma. As I learned first-hand the neurological and physiological affects of psychological trauma on human body, I also learned that our bodies have innate capacity to heal and rise above trauma using their unique neurobiology.

Over the years, I have honed my expertise in trauma therapy, drawing from my personal experiences, extensive academic training, and my multidisciplinary work in various healthcare settings. I earned a PhD in Neurocognitive Science and Brain Studies to better understand the profound impact of trauma and cumulative stressful life experiences on the brain and body, while also learning how to reverse them. As a trauma-informed therapist and a neuroscience-informed clinician, I help individuals navigate the most challenging moments of their lives, offering them a path toward healing, joy, freedom, and self-compassion. My journey as a wounded healer has taught me the power of empathy, resilience, and the deep human capacity for transformation.

Outside of being a therapist, I enjoy guest-lecturing medical students at universities across the country, providing clinical supervision to new therapists and graduate-level interns, participate in public speaking events, but most importantly, I love spending time with my husband and son, nature strolls, swimming, traveling, reading, movies, meditating, and being grateful for each and every day of this beautiful gift called ‘life.’
 
- Anna Hanson, PhD, LCSW