Anne Gearity

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Credentials

PhD

Bio

I earned my PhD in Clinical Social Work from the Institute for Clinical Social Work in Chicago, IL. Research from my dissertation was foundational for Developmental Repair, an intervention manual for behaviorally challenged and challenging children that I pioneered in collaboration with Washburn Center for Children in Minneapolis. This manual is now used extensively throughout the state and country. I have an independent mental health practice serving children, adolescents, and adults since 1987.

My initial role in Psychiatry was teaching normal child development to child and adolescent psychiatry fellows. In 2017, I started the family consult clinic working with fellows to help families navigate potentially confusing diagnoses, treatment plans, and related family needs. My departmental work has included consultation with the Fairview inpatient behavioral health teams and outpatient therapy through MIDB.

I have been awarded “Teacher of the Year” from the Department of Child Psychiatry in 2011, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020. In 2021, I was awarded the University of MN Medical Center Clinical Educator Award.

Expertise

• Early development
• Attachment
• Impact of childhood trauma, specifically when children are preverbal
• Intergenerational trauma within family dynamics 

Administrative Assistant

(for academic support only)
Natasha Hampton-Anderson
nhampton@umn.edu

In the Media

• 2022: Interviewed during this KARE 11 piece titled, “Strategies for coping with holiday blues”.
• 2022: Featured in this Minneapolis Star Tribune article titled, "Minnesota experts offer advice for parents to talk to children about tragedy".
• 2020: Interviewed recently by KARE11 about the negative impact of the pandemic on children and learning. She advocates helping teachers, students, and parents come together as a team and see the setbacks of COVID-19 as an opportunity to reinvent the educational system, replacing the 3 Rs with the three Es.
• 2022: Featured during a May 27 Minnesota Public Radio interview titled, "During the pandemic, don't forget about kids' mental health".

Research Summary

Dr. Gearity's research expertise is in early development; attachment; and the impact of trauma, especially trauma that occurred when children are preverbal or when the impact of intergenerational traumas persists within family dynamics.

Teaching Summary

Dr. Gearity taught at the U of MN School of Social Work for 27 years; she developed and taught in the Infant and Early Childhood program through the Institute for Child Development at the U of MN for 20 years; and consulted with schools and community agencies. Her initial role in the Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences Department was teaching normal child development to child and adolescent psychiatry fellows. With over four decades of psychotherapy practice, she also provides case consultations and training.