Anna Murphy, LMHC

Anna Murphy is a licensed mental health counselor in Iowa with nine years of clinical practice. She meets people where they are and helps them manage stress, anxiety, grief, depression, and problems with mood or addiction. Her manner is warm and interactive, and she focuses on practical strategies people can use between sessions.

Anna has worked in psychiatric hospitals, schools, community mental health centers, and private agencies. That range of settings gives her experience with persistent mental illness, trauma, mood disorders, and substance use. She has also supported people facing caregiver strain, cancer-related concerns, adoption and foster care issues, and complicated grief.

Her training includes a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Iowa and a Master of Science in Art Therapy and Counseling from The College of New Rochelle. Anna uses approaches drawn from cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, EMDR, and client-centered therapy. She often blends techniques to match each person’s needs.

In sessions Anna focuses on clear, doable skills. She helps people build coping tools for emotion regulation, communication, and managing triggers. Expressive methods are an option when clients want hands-on ways to process feelings.

Sessions are offered by video call, phone, live chat, or text messaging to fit different schedules. Anna provides guidance for career stress, relationship and intimacy concerns, ADHD-related challenges, and compassion fatigue. Her aim is steady support and practical progress over time.

How therapy approaches translate to online care

CBT, or cognitive behavioral therapy, focuses on identifying unhelpful thought and behavior patterns and practicing new skills to change them. It is often used for anxiety, depression, and stress-related problems. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy helps people notice difficult thoughts and feelings without getting stuck, and then take values-driven action toward goals. Client-centered therapy emphasizes a supportive, nonjudgmental relationship where the person guides the work and the therapist reflects and clarifies.

Picking the right mix of approaches is part of the work together. The therapist will talk with the client about goals, try methods that fit their style, and adjust plans based on what helps most. That collaborative process helps shape which techniques are used and how sessions proceed.

Online sessions are offered by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide flexibility. Video is useful for more detailed skill practice and conversation, while phone calls can be easier when video is not practical or bandwidth is limited. Live chat and text messaging make it simpler to check in between sessions, get short coaching, or fit brief appointments into a busy day. These options help people access consistent care without long commutes or schedule disruptions.