120 Patricia Manahan Anderson: Holistic Approaches to Parenting and Psychotherapy

Patricia Manahan Anderson, age 83, has been children and family-centered her entire adult

life. She gave birth to 6 children in 8 years, including her first-born who died from spina bifida

at a young age. With an “uncanny appreciation for healthy children,” Pat developed a holistic

parenting style that was congruent with the “natural living of farm life.” During 18+ years of

child-rearing, Pat earned an advanced degree in nursing through part-time studies and

countless hours of self-instruction, including annual conferences of the American Holistic

Medical Association. She worked as a psychiatric nurse practitioner for 30 years, until retiring

at age 78. Widowed in 2018, Pat is “sustained and entertained” by her 5 adult children, 17

grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren, all of whom gather together on numerous

occasions. Pat says she is “filled with gratitude” and has “perfected the art of living in the

now.”

"I am holistic by nature and I do active listening." - Patricia Manahan Anderson

Contact: patrmanderson@gmail.com