Meet Dr. Sandra Maria Anderson | Doctor of Education in Community Care and Counseling Marriage and Family Therapy

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Sandra Maria Anderson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Sandra Maria, how does your business help the community?
Love Gardens’ Mentoring initiative breaks the cycle of unhelpful behaviors through holistic self-empowerment life skills. These skills offer individuals the choice to make proactive decisions while learning relevant techniques that will improve adherence to health and mental wellness goals, increase self-advocacy, and promote positive community engagement. Ultimately, individuals gain a greater sense of purpose, identity, and self-value to create positive mental, emotional, and physical health outcomes. The key is long-term sustainability and profound change. Our goal is to foster and support the emotional, cognitive, and physical transformation of individuals moving from reactive to proactive due to this psychoeducational training program.

What should our readers know about your business?
Dr. Sandra Anderson founded Love Gardens Ministries International Therapy Parks, Inc.
Love Gardens is a 5013c nonprofit, holistic mentorship and counseling program that mentors, empowers, and transforms the lives of individuals, families, and communities through psychosocial and psychoeducational initiatives. She is a witness to the fact that faith and hope can restore every life, no matter the circumstance. What sets Sandra apart is Sandra has overcome insurmountable odds through faith in God, including childhood sexual abuse at seven and sex trafficking at 11. Her life presented her with a front-row seat, from witnessing domestic violence to surviving it.
In 1990, faith in God and her fight for education freed Sandra from addiction. That same year, through the power of the Holy Spirit, Sandra advocated for her health and wellness by gaining the courage to confront the pain, the torment of domestic violence, self-abuse, and childhood secrets.

I am excited that in 2004, Sandra hiked to the summit of Pikes Peak after two days. 2016 Dr. Anderson completed her autobiography, Lessons from the Thorns; His Grace is Sufficient. Her book chronicles her fight for mental health and wellness after trauma. In addition, the documentary Taking Innocence Project Docuseries captures parts of her life story and that of other survivors of human trafficking, along with police and FBI efforts to end the trafficking of persons.

It was not easy, but with faith and hope put into action, we can accomplish beautiful things. I have included the lessons I have learned in my book: lessons on hope, truth, and forgiveness.
I want the world to know that after drug and alcohol addiction, childhood trauma, and domestic violence, you can overcome it all. After addiction and a health crisis over 38 years ago, Dr. Anderson persevered. She continued her education over the years, and in 2023, she graduated from Liberty University, earning her Doctor of Education degree in Community Care and Counseling Marriage and Family Therapy. She completed her dissertation on the Psychosocial impacts of transgenerational trauma on the parenting styles of African American women. Her work can be found in Liberty University Scholars Crossing. Sandra believes that counseling is imperative, knowledge and self-awareness are critical, and we can restore our lives when we are teachable. Sandra implements a multidimensional approach in her coaching practice to help transform lives with long-term, sustainable, positive outcomes. Never give up on you!

Read more about Dr. Sandra Anderson’s story and view her work at https://sandramariaanderson.com/

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I have a friend visiting; we are going to the Boathouse restaurant here in Stuart, Florida. It is one of the best restaurants in the city! Next, we will visit Stuart Beach for a boating charter. Stuart is the sailfish capital of the state. Next, we will hang out in downtown Stuart, Florida, where we will walk through the historic markets and shops. The people are friendly, the weather is heavenly, and the chocolate shops and treats are tasty!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First and foremost, my success is because of my faith in Christ.
My faith was taught by my sister, Joyce Ann Anderson. She cultivated a resilient and warrior-like spirit in me. She was my mother and father at times in my life, and my book, Lessons from the Thorns, is dedicated to her for blessings.

Dr. Paul Hegstrom, my excellent counselor, said, “If you are teachable, it’s fixable.”

Website: https://sandramariaanderson.com

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Image Credits
My family, mentors, friends, and mentees