Ann Ghabel, LISW - Therapist in Iowa

Client-centered care
CBT and mindfulness
Trauma-informed support

About Ann

Ann Ghabel is a licensed independent social worker (LISW) in Iowa with 11 years of experience as a therapist. She draws on decades working in inpatient child psychiatry and teaching psychiatric nursing to bring a steady, practical presence to sessions. Ann focuses on helping people manage stress, anxiety, grief, and life changes, and she supports those facing trauma, parenting challenges, and relationship stress.

She aims to make sessions a place to speak plainly about what is hard. Ann listens and helps people name what they are feeling. Then she uses approaches that fit the person’s needs rather than a one-size-fits-all plan.

Ann blends client-centered work with cognitive behavioral and mindfulness approaches to help people change patterns that cause distress. She also uses dialectical behavior therapy skills and hypnotherapy as tools when appropriate. Together these methods can help with symptoms of depression, bipolar challenges, ADHD, sleep or eating concerns, and self-esteem issues.

Her background includes long experience on an inpatient child psychiatry unit and years teaching psychiatric nursing, which contribute to a practical, calm style. That history informs her ability to support people dealing with trauma, domestic violence, caregiving stress, chronic illness, adoption and foster care questions, and coping after disasters.

To begin, she encourages a simple first step: share what’s most pressing, and then discuss goals and a plan. Ann keeps sessions focused on doable changes and steady support as people work toward feeling better.

How her approaches translate to online therapy

Ann uses client-centered work to start: sessions focus on what matters most to the person and build a plan around their goals. This approach helps when sorting priorities, managing parenting stress, or coping after a disaster. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is another core approach; it breaks problems into thoughts, feelings, and actions and teaches skills to change unhelpful patterns. CBT can help with anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and many everyday challenges.

Finding the right mix of approaches is a collaborative process. Ann will listen to what you want to change and suggest techniques that match those goals. Together you decide whether to lean more on skills practice, mindful exercises, CBT tools, DBT skills, or brief hypnotherapy techniques based on your needs and preferences.

Confirm the current session options before booking, since specific formats are not listed here. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and remove travel time. Talk with the therapist during the initial matching process to choose scheduling and session style that suit your routine and goals.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseParenting issuesDepression

Also works with

GriefEating disordersSleeping disordersAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changes Compassion fatigueADHD

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesAttachment issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeAvoidant personalityBlended family issuesCaregiver issues and stress Chronic pain, illness, and disability Communication problems Coping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)Divorce and separationDomestic violenceFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFirst responder issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameImpulsivityIntellectual disabilityIsolation / loneliness Life purpose Veteran and Armed Forces Issues Mood disordersObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksParanoiaPersonality disordersPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSexual assault and abuseSocial anxiety and phobiaTraumatic brain injury Workplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)HypnotherapyMindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingSolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

11+ years

Credentials

Iowa

Languages

English

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does this therapist help with?

She helps people with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, trauma and abuse, parenting challenges, and coping with life changes. Other focus areas include ADHD, bipolar symptoms, sleep and eating concerns, and caregiver stress.

What is the general therapy style?

Sessions are client-centered with practical tools from cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness. Dialectical behavior skills and hypnotherapy may also be used when they fit the person’s goals.

What is her professional background?

She has 11 years of therapy experience and previously worked for decades in an inpatient child psychiatry unit and taught psychiatric nursing. That background informs a steady, practical approach.

What credentials and location are on file?

She is listed as an LISW, licensed in Iowa. Sessions are offered from that state.

Which languages are supported and are international clients accepted?

Sessions are offered in English, and international clients are accepted.

What session formats are available?

Please confirm current session options before booking, as formats are not specified here. Ask about the available ways to meet when you select a session.

How is cost handled for sessions?

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

How do I get started with therapy?

Select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.