Anna Murphy , LMHC

Anna Murphy is a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) practicing in Iowa with nine years of clinical experience. She has provided care across a range of settings, including psychiatric hospitals, schools, community mental health centers, and private agencies, and has worked with individuals from early childhood through older adulthood. Anna has particular experience supporting people facing persistent mental illness, life transitions, trauma, mood and anxiety disorders, personality disorders, substance use, involvement with child welfare systems, codependency, grief and loss, and difficulties with emotional regulation.

She earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Iowa in 2012 with majors in Psychology and Studio Arts and a minor in Sociology, and completed a Master of Science in Art Therapy and Counseling at The College of New Rochelle in 2015. As an LMHC she holds a state credential to provide counseling services and psychotherapy.

Anna’s approach to therapy is warm, interactive, and client-centered. She treats each person as the expert on their own story and focuses on empowering clients to build practical coping skills tailored to their circumstances. Her work draws from trauma-informed principles and evidence-based methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy, along with motivational interviewing, solution-focused techniques, and expressive therapy modalities when appropriate. This blend allows Anna to support a wide variety of concerns while collaborating with clients to identify strategies that fit their goals and preferences.

Evidence-Based Approaches and Online Care

Anna draws from several well-established therapeutic approaches to support clients in online sessions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and shifting unhelpful thoughts and behaviors; it is commonly used for anxiety, depression, and stress-related concerns by teaching practical coping strategies. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) emphasizes skill-building in emotion regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness - it can be especially helpful for individuals who struggle with intense emotions or relationship conflicts. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps clients clarify personal values and develop psychological flexibility by accepting difficult feelings while taking committed action toward meaningful goals.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Anna collaborates with each person to explore which methods align with their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting the plan over time based on what works best. This collaborative process ensures treatment feels relevant and practical.

Online therapy with Anna is offered by licensed professionals through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These options provide flexibility for scheduling around work, family, and other responsibilities, and they make it easier to maintain continuity of care from different locations. The variety of formats also allows clients to choose the mode of communication that feels most comfortable for them.