Anderson opens West Central Community Counseling and Consulting in Elbow Lake

C.A. Ray

Grant County Herald

Christopher Anderson is opening West Central Community Counseling and Consulting in Central Court, Elbow Lake, a project he has been working on for the past two years since Anderson and his wife Lucy moved to the area. Lucy is the director of Thorson Memorial Library in Elbow Lake.

“For the past couple of years, I have worked as a mental health professional and then as a clinical supervisor in Alexandria and Fergus Falls, and online, but am a strong advocate for people being able to have high quality mental health services where they live,” he said, “There are limited resources in the Elbow Lake area.”

Anderson comes from St. Louis and spent a number of years in the Marines. While stationed in Wahpeton, he met Lucy, who was a librarian in Breckenridge. Eventually Anderson was transferred to Fargo where he was stationed at the Fargo Military Entrance Processing Command center. He says an additional duty in Wahpeton piqued his interest in counseling and mental health issues.

The couple moved to the Boston area, where Lucy had gone to school and had friends, and got married.

 Anderson earned several degrees out east, becoming a licensed professional clinical counselor, as well as a licensed drug and alcohol counselor. Lucy, who has family in the Long Prairie area, wanted to move back to Minnesota. Since Anderson has family in both Winnipeg and St. Louis, Elbow Lake seemed the perfect place. The couple have three children, two boys and a two-week old little girl.

West Central Community Counseling and Consulting serves children, adolescents, adults, and families. It is a private mental health clinic that offers comprehensive assessments, diagnostic assessments, individual counseling, group counseling, family counseling, career counseling, and chemical health counseling.

Clinical specialties Anderson treats include depression, anxiety, bereavement, adjustment disorders, serious and persistent mental health disorders, couples therapy, family therapy, and military and veterans.

“Addressing mental health concerns can improve your life in a variety of ways,” he said. “It can reduce stress, increase self-confidence, improve your relationships, assist you in managing your emotions, change problematic behaviors, increase hope and health, and help you take charge of your life.”

His office, in suite 9, Central Court, will officially open October 24, and he anticipates starting to see patients with insurance November 1. To get started, simply call 218-393-9789.

“You will receive a free phone consultation to ensure that counseling could be beneficial for you. From there we will find a time that works for you for your first appointment.”