Anna Murphy, LMHC
Compassionate Iowa licensed mental health counselor
- Trauma-informed care
- Evidence-based techniques
- Expressive therapy options
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 settings that include psychiatric hospitals, schools, community mental health centers, and private agencies, and has worked with people whose ages range from early childhood through geriatric adulthood. Her background encompasses support for persistent and chronic mental illness, life transitions, trauma, mood and anxiety disorders, personality disorders, substance use concerns, involvement with child welfare systems, codependency, grief and loss, and challenges with emotion 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, and she completed a Master of Science in Art Therapy and Counseling at The College of New Rochelle in 2015. She describes her therapeutic stance as warm, interactive, and client-centered - focusing on the belief that individuals are the experts on their own stories. Her goal is to empower clients and to teach strategies and coping skills tailored to each person’s situation. Murphy integrates trauma-informed care with evidence-informed approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and she also uses Motivational Interviewing and Solution-Focused techniques. When appropriate and welcome, she incorporates expressive therapy modalities to expand how clients explore feelings and experiences.
LMHC stands for Licensed Mental Health Counselor and indicates formal training and state licensure to provide professional therapy services in Iowa.
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, and she completed a Master of Science in Art Therapy and Counseling at The College of New Rochelle in 2015. She describes her therapeutic stance as warm, interactive, and client-centered - focusing on the belief that individuals are the experts on their own stories. Her goal is to empower clients and to teach strategies and coping skills tailored to each person’s situation. Murphy integrates trauma-informed care with evidence-informed approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and she also uses Motivational Interviewing and Solution-Focused techniques. When appropriate and welcome, she incorporates expressive therapy modalities to expand how clients explore feelings and experiences.
LMHC stands for Licensed Mental Health Counselor and indicates formal training and state licensure to provide professional therapy services in Iowa.
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.
Is Anna Murphy a licensed therapist?
Yes. She holds the credential LMHC, which stands for Licensed Mental Health Counselor. 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 with therapy 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 Adapted for Online Care
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify what matters most to them and build actions that align with those values while learning to relate differently to painful thoughts and feelings. ACT can be useful for anxiety, stress, and life transitions.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and shifting unhelpful thought and behavior patterns. Through practical exercises and skill building, CBT addresses symptoms of depression, anxiety, and many day-to-day coping challenges.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) emphasizes emotion regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness. DBT tools are often helpful for individuals struggling with intense emotions, relationship patterns, and impulsive behaviors.
Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Anna Murphy works with clients to assess needs, goals, and personal preferences and then tailors methods accordingly so therapy fits each person rather than the other way around.
Online sessions - including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging - offer flexibility for people balancing work, family, health, or geographic constraints. These options make it easier to maintain regular contact, practice skills between sessions, and access support from licensed professionals and therapists without needing to travel to an office.