Anna Luiken
Anna Luiken, MA, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) Certified
Anna has a passion for helping people understand and see their value, purpose and identity. She considers it a privilege that clients share their story with her and she delights in celebrating victories and walking alongside clients in hardships. A hope of hers is that clients will grow in knowledge of truth during sessions and that they will see themselves through a compassionate lens, finding healing as they process who they are and their own strengths and potential.
Anna believes that emotions are a part of our human design, and they can be a way to explore meaning. She is a person centered counselor who loves making connections between thought and behavior patterns while also intentionally focusing on identifying root issues.
Anna feels that therapy is brave and vulnerable and a step through the doors into session is something to be admired as a piece of becoming your best and healthiest self. The practice of forgiveness and gratitude can provide an integral part of the journey to healing and the more anchored we are in understanding ourselves, the better we can relate to and love others. Anna would describe herself as warm and friendly while also enjoying problem solving, brainstorming, and logically seeking solutions that benefit clients.
Anna feels deeply connected to her faith and if the client asks for this, can provide faith based counseling focused on bringing the truths of God and scripture into the process of healing and growth, shaping how we think about ourselves, the world and others.
Anna has ten years of experience in the mental health field including time spent working in Anchorage, Alaska at Birchwood Behavioral Health, a residential center for kids and teens as a group, individual and family therapist and has developed skills in trauma informed care and crisis intervention. Through the outpatient and residential program at Birchwood, Anna has counseled children, adolescents, adults, couples and families.
She has expertise in working with individuals, families and couples who experience anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, abuse, relationship and marital problems, motherhood and women’s issues, body image and self esteem issues, or who just need a safe space to process the ups and downs of life. EMDR work would focus on noticing areas of life in which the client desires change and partnering together to find an early memory or belief system that may require a new way of thinking about oneself to aid in healing from hardship or trauma.
She is married, has been a military spouse for fourteen years, and has four kids. She finds joy in reading, writing, running, travel, and quality time with loved ones.
Education:
Masters of Arts in Counseling- Wayland Baptist University, Anchorage, Alaska (May 2018)
Bachelors in Interdisciplinary Studies (Middle School Teaching Degree focus) - Texas A&M University (May 2011)
Extensive Training in:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Trauma Focused Therapy
Family Systems
Person Centered and Strengths Based Care
Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR)
Interested in working with Anna?
