Clinician Spotlight - Anne lipp
Four Corners Counseling & Well-Being has skilled, experienced, and compassionate therapists, and we want to share some of what makes them special! Anne Lipp specializes in Depression and Anxiety; transition, grief and loss; self-acceptance; mindfulness and self-compassion; working with the harsh inner critic; Acceptance and Commitment Therapy; Family systems.
What helps you to feel calm in life?
I love the calm feeling I get from spending time in nature or going on a long hike. I also love the calm that I feel after spending time with people I care about; the all-over good feeling in my body after having laughed and talked and played. I’ve figured something out about myself as well, which is that when I notice a lot of stress, anxiety or self-criticism, often I will find that I have emotions I’m ignoring or rejecting. There’s that struggle against feeling certain things. Really, who enjoys feeling painful feelings? How do I recognize I’ve been doing this? I may notice I feel incensed at other drivers for unavoidable things, or irritated at loved ones for small annoyances. My mind ruminates on a slew of my perceived failings, and I feel physically tense. Once I recognize this process, it helps to tune into myself and what’s going on inside; to allow whatever is there to be there. Sometimes this requires working with different parts of myself, doing grief work, letting go, or practicing self-compassion. Writing often helps.
What are three "fun facts" about you?
#1 While in college, I spent a semester in Kenya. During that time, I went hiking on Mt Kenya and rode the train overnight to the coastal city of Mombasa.
#2 Lived in Phoenix for 17 years, where I loved hiking and backpacking in the Superstition Mountain wilderness areas.
#3 Love the beach and ocean.
Are you a dog or a cat person?
Both – currently have a blended fur family – my dog, Maddie and my “step-cat”, Wilma.
Can you spot the raccoon?
What is one interesting thing you have done or learned during the pandemic?
Beginner at birding and watching and learning about wildlife – have a raccoon living high up in a neighbor’s tree that I can see from my window and a fox that periodically visits my backyard.
What are your hobbies or aspirations outside of being a therapist?
#1 Working in the yard – currently moving a ton of bark from the front sidewalk to spots in my backyard.
#2 Hiking, kayaking, spending time in nature – grew up tent camping every summer with my family.
#3 Writing – journaling mostly but dabble in creative writing and poetry
What modalities are you drawn to using in the therapy room?
I’m drawn to mindfulness-related modalities, especially IFS, ACT and Self-Compassion.
What is your favorite food/snack?
Lately I’m on a smoothie kick – though if I could, I would live on brownies and chocolate chip cookies.
What is one piece of advice that you would give someone who is struggling?
One of my favorite quotes is by Thich Nhat Hanh “we are here to awaken from the illusion of our separateness.” This is such a deep teaching, to me, and offers a profound alternative to our cultural paradigm of extreme individualism. Recognizing that separateness is an illusion, to me, means looking at things systemically instead of singling out one specific factor to explain something. It means seeking understanding instead of blame. It means we all impact and effect each other and our environment and can all be part of healing our world. Finding ways to understand, instead of to blame ourselves, to me is a good place to start when I’m struggling.
To read Anne’s formal education and work bio click here.
