Anna Murphy

Anna Murphy is a licensed mental health counselor in Iowa who focuses on helping people facing grief and end-of-life concerns as part of broader mental health needs. She brings a calm, down-to-earth manner to sessions and aims to make difficult conversations easier to manage. Anna listens first and works with each person to find practical steps forward.

She has nine years of experience in settings that include psychiatric hospitals, schools, community mental health centers, and private agencies. That variety means she has supported people through trauma, long-term mental health conditions, mood and anxiety disorders, substance use, and grief. Her background also includes work with caregiver stress, cancer-related concerns, and complicated life transitions.

Anna uses a warm, interactive, client-centered approach. She treats the person in front of her as the expert on their life and focuses on building strategies that fit each situation. Techniques she draws on include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and EMDR, and she can add expressive therapy methods when a person is open to them.

Sessions typically focus on learning coping skills, managing difficult emotions, and addressing relationship or identity-related issues. Anna also helps people who are processing loss, navigating caregiver roles, or facing the stresses that come near the end of life. She aims to give clear options and practical tools rather than jargon-filled explanations.

Her education 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 practices as an IA LMHC and works in Iowa, offering services in English.

Approaches that translate to online work

ACT, CBT, and EMDR are approaches Anna commonly uses and that can work well in remote sessions. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on noticing thoughts and values-based action, which helps when people face meaningful life changes or end-of-life questions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors connect and teaches practical strategies to reduce anxiety and depression. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is used to process traumatic memories and lessen their emotional charge when trauma is a core concern.

Choosing the right approach is a team effort. Anna works collaboratively to identify goals, try different methods, and adjust based on what feels most helpful. She respects each person’s pace and preferences while recommending techniques that match their concerns and daily life demands.

If you are considering online sessions, confirm the current session formats before booking since the profile does not list specific options. Many people find online work helps fit therapy into a busy schedule, allows shorter check-ins when needed, and can make it easier to continue care during medical or caregiving demands. Licensed professionals can adapt ACT, CBT, and EMDR elements to phone or video settings depending on the chosen format and what the client prefers.