Ann Ghabel

Ann Ghabel is an Iowa-based licensed independent social worker (LISW) who draws on a client-centered approach to support people facing stress, anxiety, grief, and sleep difficulties. She writes plainly and listens closely, helping clients talk through what’s most urgent and make small, practical changes. Ann’s background includes long clinical experience that informs a calm, straightforward style.

Before moving into private practice, Ann spent many years in inpatient child psychiatry work and taught psychiatric nursing. That hands-on history means she is familiar with a wide range of emotional and behavioral concerns. She uses strategies from cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy when those approaches fit a client’s goals.

Ann also integrates mindfulness and hypnotherapy techniques when helpful, and she may introduce Brainspotting as a tool for processing traumatic memories and improving self-understanding. These methods are offered as options to try together rather than fixed prescriptions.

Her work often focuses on family issues, parenting challenges, trauma and abuse, grief, depression, anger, and compassion fatigue. She also supports people dealing with ADHD, bipolar mood concerns, eating issues, chronic illness, and life transitions. Sleep and rest problems are part of the concerns she addresses in sessions.

Sessions aim to be practical and collaborative. Ann helps people set achievable goals, practice new skills between meetings, and track progress over time. She encourages clear communication, steady pacing, and respect for each person’s pace and values.

Therapeutic approaches that translate to online work