Anna Bankey

Trauma-Focused CBT

My approach as a Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) therapist is to help you understand the connection between your experiences, your thoughts, your emotions, and your responses. Together, we gently explore the beliefs and patterns that may have developed as a way of protecting you while creating healthier ways to cope and heal. TF-CBT is a structured, evidence-based approach that helps children, teens, and adults process difficult experiences, reduce distressing symptoms, and develop skills to feel more confident and in control of their lives. In therapy, we may focus on: * Understanding how past experiences continue to affect your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors * Identifying unhelpful beliefs such as guilt, shame, self-blame, or feeling “not enough” * Developing healthy coping skills to manage stress, anxiety, and overwhelming emotions * Building emotional regulation and a stronger sense of safety * Processing painful memories at a pace that feels supportive and manageable * Rebuilding confidence, self-compassion, and trust in yourself

Strength-Based

I believe that every person has strengths, resilience, and the ability to grow — even when life feels overwhelming or difficult. My approach focuses not only on the challenges you are facing, but also on the courage, skills, values, and experiences that have helped you survive and continue moving forward. In therapy, we will explore what is working, identify the strengths you may not recognize in yourself, and build upon the tools you already have. Rather than viewing you as “broken” or needing to be fixed, I see therapy as a process of reconnecting with your own inner wisdom, confidence, and capacity for healing. Together, we may focus on: * Recognizing your strengths, resilience, and personal resources * Building confidence and self-trust * Identifying patterns that may no longer serve you while creating healthier choices * Developing coping skills that support your emotional well-being * Creating boundaries and relationships that align with your values * Moving toward a life that feels more authentic and meaningful My role is to walk alongside you in your healing journey. I provide support, guidance, and evidence-based tools while honoring that you are the expert on your own life and experiences.

Somatic

Healing is not only about understanding our thoughts and experiences — it is also about reconnecting with our bodies. Stress, trauma, and difficult life experiences can impact the way we feel, respond, and move through the world. Sometimes our bodies continue to carry signs of past stress through tension, overwhelm, feeling disconnected, difficulty relaxing, or staying in a constant state of “fight, flight, or freeze.” My somatic approach helps you gently explore the connection between your mind, body, emotions, and nervous system. Together, we build awareness of the signals your body is communicating and develop tools to help you feel more grounded, regulated, and connected to yourself. Somatic therapy is not about forcing change or reliving painful experiences before you are ready. Instead, we work at a pace that feels safe and supportive, helping your body and nervous system experience greater calm, stability, and resilience. In sessions, we may focus on: * Increasing awareness of body sensations, emotions, and nervous system responses * Understanding how stress and trauma can impact your mind and body * Developing grounding and regulation skills to manage anxiety, overwhelm, and stress * Releasing patterns of tension, protection, or survival responses that may no longer be needed * Building a stronger sense of safety, self-trust, and connection * Learning to listen to your body with compassion rather than judgment My approach combines compassion, curiosity, and evidence-informed practices to help you reconnect with yourself. Your body has adapted to help you survive — together, we can help you create a greater sense of safety, balance, and freedom in your life.