Anna Murphy, LMHC - Therapist in Iowa

Warm client-centered care
Skills-based strategies
Experience with trauma

About Anna

Anna Murphy is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) based in Iowa with nine years of clinical experience. She offers a calm, straightforward presence for people coping with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, and related concerns. Her tone in sessions is warm and interactive, focused on helping each person find realistic ways to manage day-to-day challenges.

She has worked in psychiatric hospitals, schools, community mental health centers, and private agencies. That range means she has experience with long-term mental illness, mood and anxiety disorders, substance use, and emotion regulation difficulties. She has also supported people facing life transitions, caregiver strain, and adoption and foster care matters.

Anna’s training includes a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Studio Arts from the University of Iowa and a Master of Science in Art Therapy and Counseling from The College of New Rochelle. She draws on a mix of clinical methods rather than a single technique. This lets her tailor strategies to what helps each person most.

In practice she combines client-centered listening with practical skills training. Sessions often include skills from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy, along with trauma-focused tools when needed. She may also offer expressive or art-based exercises when someone is open to them.

Her approach emphasizes collaboration. She helps people identify goals, try new coping skills, and adjust strategies over time. To start, prospective clients follow the site’s matching and scheduling steps so they can find a good fit and plan their first session.

Therapeutic approaches and how they translate to online work

Anna uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people spot unhelpful thoughts and try small behavior changes that can reduce anxiety or low mood. CBT sessions often include concrete exercises and homework that translate well to remote sessions.

She also uses Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills to teach distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. DBT-style skills training focuses on step-by-step practices clients can use between meetings to manage intense feelings.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will listen to your goals and preferences, explain options, and try methods that fit your needs. That collaborative process helps decide whether to emphasize skill-building, trauma-focused work, or expressive exercises.

Session logistics should be confirmed before booking since formats are not listed in the biography. In general, online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy day, allow shorter check-ins when time is limited, and remove travel time. Ask about the specific session styles offered so scheduling and practical details match your routine.

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 changes Compassion fatigue ADHD

Additional focus areas

Abandonment Adoption 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 issuesForgiveness Guilt and shameHospice and end-of-life counselingIsolation / lonelinessJealousyVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMood disordersPanic disorder and panic attacksPost-traumatic stressSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSexual assault and abuseSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung 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

Credentials

Iowa

Languages

English

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Anna commonly address?

She works with people facing stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, grief, addictions, relationship and intimacy-related issues, ADHD, and related challenges.

What is the therapist's general style in sessions?

Her style is warm and interactive with a focus on listening first, then teaching practical coping skills tailored to each person.

What background does she bring to therapy?

Anna has nine years of experience across hospitals, schools, community mental health, and private agencies, and has worked with a wide range of presenting concerns.

What credentials and location are listed for this clinician?

She is an LMHC licensed in Iowa and practices from that state.

Which languages are supported and are international clients accepted?

Sessions are offered in English and international clients are not currently accepted.

What session formats are available?

Session formats are not specified in the biography; please confirm current session options before booking.

How does billing and cost work?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability, and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin working with this clinician?

Use the Start Therapy button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to the therapist's availability.

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