Anna Murphy, LMHC
Warm trauma-informed licensed counselor
- Trauma and grief
- Anxiety and stress
- LGBT and relationships
About Anna Murphy
Anna Murphy is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) practicing in Iowa with nine years of clinical experience. She has provided care across a variety of settings including psychiatric hospitals, schools, community mental health centers, and private agencies, working with clients whose ages range from three years old to geriatric adults. Her background includes work with persistent and chronic mental illness, life transitions, trauma, mood and anxiety disorders, personality disorders, substance use, Department of Human Services involvement, codependency, grief and loss, and challenges with emotional regulation.
Murphy earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Iowa in 2012 with majors in Psychology and Studio Arts and a minor in Sociology. She completed a Master of Science in Art Therapy and Counseling from the College of New Rochelle in 2015. As an LMHC, she holds the credential of Licensed Mental Health Counselor, which designates advanced graduate training and state licensure in mental health treatment.
Her therapeutic style is described as warm, interactive, and client-centered. She views individuals as experts in their own lives and focuses on empowering clients while teaching practical coping strategies tailored to each person. Her practice draws on trauma-informed principles and evidence-based methods such as cognitive behavioral strategies, dialectical behavior techniques, motivational interviewing, and solution-focused work, and she often incorporates expressive therapy modalities when appropriate and welcomed by clients.
Murphy earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Iowa in 2012 with majors in Psychology and Studio Arts and a minor in Sociology. She completed a Master of Science in Art Therapy and Counseling from the College of New Rochelle in 2015. As an LMHC, she holds the credential of Licensed Mental Health Counselor, which designates advanced graduate training and state licensure in mental health treatment.
Her therapeutic style is described as warm, interactive, and client-centered. She views individuals as experts in their own lives and focuses on empowering clients while teaching practical coping strategies tailored to each person. Her practice draws on trauma-informed principles and evidence-based methods such as cognitive behavioral strategies, dialectical behavior techniques, motivational interviewing, and solution-focused work, and she often incorporates expressive therapy modalities when appropriate and welcomed by clients.
Areas of Expertise
Also Specializes In
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 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 Approach
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 Narrative Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy Trauma-Focused Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Anna Murphy have?
Anna Murphy has nine years of experience providing mental health services in a range of clinical settings.
Is Anna Murphy a licensed therapist?
Yes. Anna Murphy is an LMHC, which stands for Licensed Mental Health Counselor. Her license details are IA LMHC 080832.
In which languages does Anna Murphy provide therapy?
Anna Murphy provides therapy in English.
Where is Anna Murphy located?
Anna Murphy is located in Iowa.
How can I work with Anna Murphy as my therapist?
You can work with Anna Murphy through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Anna Murphy work with international clients?
Anna Murphy does not currently work with international clients.
How much does therapy with Anna Murphy cost?
The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as your location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current details, click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started is quick and straightforward. Click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care
Anna Murphy integrates several evidence-based approaches to support clients in online therapy. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, helps individuals clarify personal values and build psychological flexibility so they can move toward meaningful action even when difficult thoughts or feelings arise. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, focuses on identifying and shifting unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviors, making it useful for anxiety, depression, and everyday stress. Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, teaches practical skills for managing intense emotions, improving interpersonal effectiveness, and reducing impulsive behavior, which can be beneficial for mood instability and difficulties with emotional regulation.Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process and is done collaboratively. Anna works with each person to tailor techniques to their goals, needs, and preferences, adjusting methods over time as progress is made. Licensed professionals often blend strategies to match what will be most helpful for an individual.
Online therapy offers flexibility in how sessions are delivered. Video calls support face-to-face connection, phone sessions remove geographic barriers, and live chat or text-based messaging can provide convenient ways to communicate between appointments. These options can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life while maintaining continuity of care and access to therapeutic support.