KARIN ANDERSON ABRELL, PH.D.
Dr. 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 a number of 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. Karin first became interested in writing about dating and relationships when examining the complex emotions involved in her own engagement to be married. As she questioned her motivations for marriage, she pondered women’s roles and options in the post-feminism era. How much had really changed? After months of internal conflict, 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, Dr. 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 speaks to groups on single adulthood, identity issues, and family systems theory. For more information, visit DrKarin.me.