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- Trauma and abuse
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- EMDR and DBT techniques
About Anna
Anna Murphy, Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in Iowa, has nine years of clinical experience. She works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, self-esteem, depression, addictions, LGBT issues, relationship and intimacy-related concerns, anger, career problems, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and coping with life changes. Her practice emphasizes client-centered work and practical skills.
Anna organizes sessions around what each person needs. She draws from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). She also uses client-centered methods and expressive therapy tools when people want them. Sessions include skill-building, emotion regulation practice, and focused discussion of current problems.
Her background includes work in psychiatric hospitals, schools, community mental health centers, and private agencies. She has experience with persistent and chronic mental illness, mood disorders, trauma, substance use, involvement with child protective services, codependency, grief, and difficulty managing emotions. She has worked with people across a wide age span.
Anna earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Studio Arts with a Sociology minor from the University of Iowa in 2012. She completed a Master of Science in Art Therapy and Counseling from The College of New Rochelle in 2015. Her training includes expressive therapy approaches alongside talk therapy methods.
In sessions she helps people learn strategies and coping skills that fit their situation. She aims to be interactive and to involve clients in choosing which methods to try. People can expect step-by-step skills practice paired with time to talk about the issues that brought them in.
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How her approaches translate to online care
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on helping people notice thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them, and then commit to actions that match their values. It can help with anxiety, depression, and life changes by clarifying what matters and building small steps toward it. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is skills-oriented and looks at how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors interact; it often uses practical exercises and homework to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) addresses traumatic memories through guided processing and can be used when trauma symptoms are central to care.Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will discuss goals, try methods that match those goals, and adjust based on how the client responds. Decisions about using skills work, emotion regulation techniques, expressive methods, or trauma-focused processing are made collaboratively.
Session formats are not specified in the original biography, so confirm current session options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, shorten travel time, and allow for brief check-ins when needed. Many people find skills practice and talk-based work adapt well to remote sessions, and the therapist will discuss practical arrangements and pacing when you schedule your first appointment.
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Areas of expertise
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
9+ years
Listed in
Iowa
Languages
English
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Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, self-esteem, depression, addictions, LGBT concerns, relationship and intimacy-related issues, anger, career problems, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and coping with life changes.
What is her therapeutic style?
Her approach is client-centered and interactive. She uses CBT, DBT, ACT, EMDR, and expressive methods to teach skills and process difficult experiences.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has nine years of experience working in settings such as psychiatric hospitals, schools, community mental health centers, and private agencies.
Where is she licensed and practicing?
She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in the state of Iowa.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are sessions scheduled and paid for?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Start by selecting the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, call 911, or call or text 988.