LMFTTherapists

Therapist listings on this page link to BetterHelp. We will earn a commission if you sign up through one of those links, at no extra cost to you.

AD Portrait of Anna Dow

Anna Dow, LMFT

Queer-affirming therapist for relationship and identity concerns

About Anna

Anna Dow is a licensed marriage and family therapist working in California. She aims to create a welcoming space for people across sexual and relationship orientations.

Background and approach

Her approach is practical and down-to-earth, with attention to what the person in front of her actually needs. She tailors sessions to each person's personality and goals.

She draws on mindfulness practices, expressive arts, and parts work to help people notice patterns and try new responses. Cognitive and behavioral tools are used to address thinking and habit patterns that keep stress and anxiety high.

Her background includes clinical work in psychiatric and inpatient residential settings. That experience informed how she supports people facing a wide range of mental health challenges.

She has seven years of clinical experience and holds a California Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist credential (LMFT). Anna pays particular attention to concerns around neurodivergence, non-monogamy, and LGBTQ+ issues.

She helps people navigate relationship and intimacy-related problems, ADHD, and the isolation that often comes with complex identities or life transitions. Sessions often include practical skill-building for communication, emotion regulation, and strengthening connections with supportive people.

She also uses somatic techniques to help with stress that shows up in the body. Her work is collaborative and focused on small, doable steps toward greater ease and clearer direction.

Approaches that fit relationships and identity online

Anna often uses mindfulness-based practices to help people notice thoughts and bodily sensations without getting swept away by them; this can ease anxiety and improve focus. She also incorporates parts work to map inner experiences - identifying different parts of oneself can clarify why people react the way they do and open new choices. When helpful, she brings in cognitive-behavioral strategies to challenge unhelpful thinking and build small behavior changes that reduce stress.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will work with each person to identify goals, try methods that fit their style, and adjust the plan as progress unfolds. Clients take part in deciding which tools to keep or change so work feels useful and relevant.

Online therapy options include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video sessions support face-to-face conversation and visual cues. Phone sessions use less bandwidth and can be easier to fit into a work break. Live chat and messaging are helpful for shorter check-ins, processing between sessions, or when writing feels more comfortable than speaking. These formats make it easier to connect across schedules and locations while keeping therapy accessible and flexible.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns can be addressed?
Anna works with stress, anxiety, LGBT issues, relationship and intimacy-related concerns, and ADHD as core specialties. She also focuses on attachment, codependency, communication problems, and related topics.
What is her general therapy style?
Her style is individualized and practical. She blends mindfulness, expressive arts, parts work, somatic techniques, and cognitive-behavioral tools to match each person's needs.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has seven years of experience, including work in psychiatric and inpatient residential settings that shaped how she supports people with a range of mental health challenges.
What credentials and location are listed?
She holds a California Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist credential (LMFT) and practices in California.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats are available?
Therapy is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different schedules and preferences.
How does payment and cost work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability and is managed through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button and completing a short matching questionnaire. Then schedule sessions according to therapist availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Experience
7 years
Licensed
California
Languages
English