Ann Ghabel, LISW

Ann Ghabel is licensed in Iowa and brings both clinical therapy training and a long history of inpatient psychiatric nursing to her work. She transitioned into professional therapy after decades spent on an inpatient child psychiatry unit and teaching psychiatric nursing, combining practical medical insight with counseling skills to support people through complex emotional challenges.

With a focus on stress and anxiety, family conflict, trauma and abuse, and parenting concerns, she collaborates with clients to build an open, nonjudgmental space where thoughts and feelings can be expressed and explored. Her approach emphasizes listening and helping clients gain clarity about the issues that cause distress, then developing practical strategies to move forward.

As a Brainspotting practitioner, she uses that targeted tool when appropriate to help clients deepen understanding and process emotional wounds, especially those related to trauma. Ann frames therapy as a joint process - she supports clients in taking the courageous first steps toward a more fulfilling and balanced life and stays alongside them as they work toward their goals.

Therapeutic approaches and online care

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on creating a respectful, empathetic environment where the client leads the conversation and the therapist mirrors understanding and support - this approach helps people who need space to explore values, relationships, and emotional concerns. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) involves identifying and adjusting unhelpful thoughts and behaviors to reduce symptoms and improve daily functioning - it is often used for anxiety, depression, and stress-related problems. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) teaches practical skills for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness - it can be especially useful for intense emotions and relationship challenges.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Ann Ghabel works collaboratively with each person to determine which techniques or combination of methods best match their needs, goals, and personal preferences, adjusting the plan over time as progress is made.

Online therapy offers flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, making it easier to fit sessions into busy schedules or access care from different locations. These options allow licensed professionals to provide consistent support, making it simpler for people to maintain momentum between sessions and apply new skills in real life.