LMHC

Anna Murphy, LMHC

Experience9 years
LocationIowa
Focus areasADHD, Stress and Anxiety, and Trauma and abuse
Therapy approachesAcceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Client-Centered Therapy

Check the available next steps for working with Anna online.

About Anna

Anna Murphy is a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) practicing in Iowa who focuses on helping people navigate stress, anxiety, trauma, grief, depression, addiction, relationship and intimacy concerns, and ADHD among other challenges.

Background and approach

She brings nine years of clinical experience across settings such as psychiatric hospitals, schools, community mental health centers, and personal agencies, and has worked with a broad range of presenting concerns including mood disorders, substance use, dissociation, and compassion fatigue.

Her approach is warm, interactive, and client-centered, rooted in the belief that people are experts on their own stories and that therapy is a collaborative process. Anna blends evidence-based methods like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and EMDR with trauma-informed care and expressive modalities when appropriate.

She aims to teach practical coping skills and strategies tailored to each person’s situation while supporting exploration of identity, communication patterns, and life transitions.

Anna earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Studio Arts with a Sociology minor from the University of Iowa and a Master of Science in Art Therapy and Counseling from The College of New Rochelle. Her license is listed as IA LMHC 080832.

Approaches That Guide Online Work

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) emphasizes values-driven action and learning to accept difficult thoughts and feelings while committing to meaningful behavior change; it can help clients struggling with anxiety, depression, and life transitions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking patterns and building concrete skills to change behavior and mood, making it useful for anxiety, depression, and coping with ADHD-related challenges. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a structured approach used to process traumatic memories and reduce their emotional charge, often applied when trauma or abuse are central concerns.

Choosing the right approach is collaborative rather than predetermined. The therapist will discuss a client’s goals, preferences, and presenting concerns and then blend methods as needed so treatment aligns with what the person hopes to achieve. This flexible pairing of techniques supports individualized pacing and practical skill-building.

Online therapy with Anna is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to increase accessibility and fit into busy schedules. These formats make it easier to maintain continuity of care during life transitions, accommodate varied communication styles, and provide multiple ways to practice skills between sessions.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does Anna commonly address?

She works with a wide range of issues including stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, depression, addictions, relationship and intimacy-related concerns, bipolar challenges, and ADHD among other areas.

What is Anna's general therapeutic style?

Her approach is warm and interactive, emphasizing a client-centered stance where the client’s experience guides the work while practical coping strategies are taught.

How much clinical experience does she have?

Anna has nine years of experience working in settings such as psychiatric hospitals, schools, community mental health centers, and personal agencies.

What are her credentials and where is she based?

She is a licensed mental health counselor with the designation IA LMHC 080832 and practices in Iowa.

Can sessions be conducted in other languages or with international clients?

Sessions are offered in English, and she is not currently accepting international clients.

What session formats are available with Anna?

She offers a variety of online formats including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different preferences.

How are costs and payment handled?

Fees vary based on location and therapist availability, and sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What are the first steps to begin working together?

To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to the therapist’s availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety Trauma and abuse Grief Self esteem Depression

Also works with

AddictionsLGBTRelationship issuesFamily conflictsIntimacy-related issuesAnger managementCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCompassion fatigueADHD

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAdoption and foster careBDSM, kink, and alternative sex cultureBlended family issuesBody imageCancerCaregiver issues and stressCo-morbidityCodependencyCommunication problemsDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)DissociationDivorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFirst responder issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameHospice and end-of-life counselingIsolation / lonelinessJealousyVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMood disorders Panic disorder and panic attacksPost-traumatic stressSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSexual assault and abuseSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issues Young adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

9+ years

Licensed

Iowa

Languages

English

What Anna can help with

Anna Murphy works with clients on stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, self esteem, and depression.

Anna works with persistent/chronic mental illness, life transitions, trauma, and mood disorders.

How Anna approaches therapy

Anna's clinical approaches include Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Narrative Therapy.

Experience and training

Anna is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor practicing in Iowa, with 9 years of clinical experience.