hi there!
I'M SO GLAD TO CONNECT WITH YOU.
I’m Karin - a psychology professor turned self-help author turned podcast host. Part psych nerd, part girl-about-town, I bring academic acumen and wisdom gleaned from 27 years on the dating scene to my expertise on love and life.
WHO
Karin Anderson Abrell, Ph.D.
M.A. Clinical Psychology
Ph.D. Developmental Psychology
WHAT
Therapist • Professor • Author
Speaker • Podcast Host
Vocalist & Songwriter
WHERE
I’m a Midwest girl through and through! Born in Cincinnati, OH. Spent my single girl years in Chicago. Moved to Northwest Indiana when I got married. Dan took the city mouse to the ‘burbs!
For the first four years of my career, I worked in Chicago’s child welfare system as a therapist for children in foster care. I then spent one year doing inner city work in West Philadelphia before returning to Illinois to get my doctorate.
My first gig as a professor was at Chicago State University. After five years, I took a job in the grad program at Concordia University Chicago teaching others how to become psychotherapists.
WHEN
I’m here to inspire us all to thrive in love and life! Because we can! I share psych research and therapeutic techniques, along with wisdom I gleaned from 27 years on the dating scene (True story! I had my first boyfriend at 15 and didn’t get married until 42!). Since I endured pretty much every aspect of the dating scene - including calling off an engagement when I was 34 - I’ve #beentherefeltthat and I’m here to share how I remained happy, hopeful and positive despite my love life refusing to play out as planned!
I wrote my book, Single is the New Black: Don’t Wear White ‘til it’s Right to empower singles, encouraging them to remain strong amidst “single shaming,” stay true to themselves and never ever settle for anything less than an extraordinary relationship!
I cover this theme and MUCH more on my podcast. Love & Life provides lively conversations grounded in psych research to help us all thrive in love and life! Content areas include: Dating/Relationships, Engagement/Marriage, Psychology/Therapy, Family Matters, and Girl Talk Gets Deep.
WHY
DR. KARIN
Karin Anderson Abrell holds a master's degree in clinical psychology and a doctorate in developmental psychology. She spent the early portion of her career as a psychotherapist for children in Chicago's child welfare system and then stepped into academia for ten years. As a professor, she delivered well-received presentations at national and international psychology conferences, covering issues such as identity development and family dynamics.
Despite these credentials, she's no stuffy academic peering down from the Ivory Tower. In fact, the inspiration for her writing derives from the ebb and flow of her personal relationships - in addition to data garnered from professional research. Yet it's precisely this fusion of academic chops and "girl about town" experience that perfectly positions her to tackle themes of relationships and single adulthood. Readers perceive her as "one of them" connecting with her accessible and engaging voice. Yet as an academic, she provides a measure of objectivity and authority that enlightens, encourages, and empowers.
Dr. Anderson Abrell first became interested in writing about dating and relationships when examining the complex emotions involved in her own engagement. As she questioned her motivations for marriage, she feared she loved her fiancé, but wasn't in love. After months of internal conflict, she realized that although he was a great guy, marrying him would feel like settling so she called off her wedding two months before it was to occur.
Back “out there” in the dating scene, she became keenly aware of the messages directed toward single women - messages that appeared disparaging and illogical, yet hailed from reliable sources such as the local bookstore’s self-help section. Drawing on the data of other academic researchers and first-hand accounts of the many women she interviewed personally, Karin wrote Single Is the New Black: Don't Wear White 'Til It's Right in an effort to provide a logical counter-message of encouragement.
Practicing what she preaches, Karin waited for the right guy and didn’t meet him until age 40. Two years later they were married and it finally “happened” for her.
A compelling presenter, Dr. Karin Anderson Abrell speaks to groups on dating & relationships, identity development & authenticity, emotional wellness, and adult family relationships.