Anna Varghese, MA, LPC, NCC
Areas of Expertise: anxiety, depression, shame, trauma/PTSD, emotion dysregulation, suicidal ideation, non-suicidal self-injury, self-esteem, grief & loss, relationship & familial issues, spiritual concerns, women's issues
Treatments Provided: Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Prolonged Exposure (PE), Motivational Interviewing (MI)
Certifications: DBT Core Certified by DBTmo (MO Department of Mental Health, 2021); National Certified Counselor (NCC, 2020)
Education: MA Clinical Mental Health Counseling (Richmont Graduate University, 2020); BA Human Development and Family Studies (Samford University, 2015)
Accepted Insurance Plans: In-Network with UHC/Optum and Cigna/Evernorth; pending with Anthem BCBS. Out-of-Network with all other insurance panels (superbill can be provided).
Private pay fee: $135 per individual session (sliding scale sometimes offered)
Anna Varghese, LPC (she/her) began working with Upaya Counseling, LLC from the start of the practice in October 2020. Anna attended Richmont Graduate University, a CACREP-accredited graduate program in Atlanta, GA to earn her degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, where she also elected to earn two additional certificates in Trauma Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy. Anna was awarded the Hanshew Clinical Excellence Award, and she became a National Certified Counselor (NCC) in August 2020. Anna became a fully Licensed Professional Counselor in MO in June 2023, under the supervision of Upaya's Director, Dr. Amanda Bittner. She is pending in-network status with the insurance panels listed above.
Anna works with adolescents and adults; she provides individual and family therapy. She is passionate about providing a warm, empathetic space while using her expertise in 1) behavioral therapy to teach practical skills and 2) trauma therapy (i.e., PE) to help relieve symptoms of PTSD. She follows the model of Dr. Marsha Linehan who promotes both acceptance and change within the client. Anna also values vulnerability, authenticity, and humor. She is committed to doing her own therapeutic work and self-care to be a healthy, balanced, and available therapist. Anna is dedicated to her professional development as she works to maintain her NCC certification through trainings and self-study.
Anna and her husband, Jordan, are new parents to their daughter, Nell. They love spending time outside in most weather and are trying to find new ways to enjoy the winter months. Anna loves adding new plants to her home collection, listening/dancing to music with Nellie, and going on family walks in the Missouri Botanical Garden. Please reach out if you are interested in doing therapy with Anna by contacting us below or calling 314-252-0675.