Close Up Radio spotlights psychologist Dr. Linda Starbird

Close Up Radio recently featured Bend, Oregon psychologist Dr. Linda Starbird, who has spent more than 40 years treating anxiety, grief, trauma and life transitions. The interview highlights her shift to online therapy, her focus on mindfulness and family healing, and her forthcoming memoir on generational addiction.

Why it matters: - Dr. Linda Starbird is part of a growing conversation about anxiety, trauma and emotional resilience as many people face stress from conflict, uncertainty, polarization and economic pressure. - Her work underscores the continued demand for therapy that blends traditional talk treatment with practical tools for regulating the nervous system. - Her upcoming memoir adds a personal lens on addiction and family healing, two issues affecting many households.

What happened: - Close Up Radio recently featured Dr. Linda Starbird of Starbird Psychology in an interview with Jim Masters on Friday, July 10 at 2 p.m. Eastern. - Starbird, based in Bend, Oregon, has spent more than four decades working in mental health. - She now provides online therapy to residents throughout Oregon. - The interview focused on her clinical work, her approach to anxiety, and her memoir project. - More information is available at the company's announcement.

The details: - Starbird earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Washington in 1974. - She earned a Master of Arts in Psychology from San Diego State University in 1976. - She earned a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of Maine in 1983. - She later earned a Master of Fine Arts in Nonfiction Writing from Pacific University in 2019. - Early in her career, Starbird worked at a community mental health center and later entered private practice in rural Maine. - Her early caseload included children, families, couples, survivors of domestic violence and people facing major emotional challenges. - She also worked with children in the foster care system for many years. - After becoming the mother of twins, Starbird moved away from that work because the trauma cases became harder to carry emotionally. - She shifted toward individual therapy and has spent much of the last 40 years working with adults and seniors. - Starbird uses mindfulness, meditation, breathing techniques and nervous system regulation practices in her work. - She says talk therapy remains the foundation of good psychotherapy and that the therapeutic relationship is where healing begins. - She points to global conflict, political polarization, economic uncertainty, environmental concerns and social division as major drivers of anxiety. - Starbird says some clients are afraid to go out in public because they worry about what could happen to them or their families. - She also sees political divisions creating conflict inside families. - She encourages clients to connect with nature, volunteer and join something larger than themselves as a way to restore purpose and control. - Starbird is completing a memoir titled Last Call: Healing Generational Addiction. - The book follows her son Levi's six-year battle with alcoholism and recovery. - The memoir also explores her memories of growing up with an alcoholic father. - Starbird says she realized she had been enabling her son without knowing it. - Her son is now in recovery. - She is especially focused on helping women navigate loss, career changes, identity shifts and later-life reinvention.

Between the lines: - Starbird's message reflects a broader shift in mental health care toward practical coping tools that patients can use between sessions. - Her emphasis on women and older women suggests an audience often underserved in mainstream wellness messaging. - The memoir may extend her reach beyond clinical practice by speaking directly to families dealing with addiction and caregiving stress.

What's next: - Starbird is finishing Last Call: Healing Generational Addiction. - She will continue offering online therapy to people across Oregon. - Her public-facing work is likely to keep centering on anxiety, resilience and family systems as demand for mental health support remains high.

The bottom line: - After more than 40 years in psychology, Dr. Linda Starbird is framing healing as a mix of self-knowledge, connection and steady, practical care.