Anna Stearn (she/her/hers) has been working in the mental health field since 2018, where she finds fulfillment in supporting teens, young adults, and adults at various stages of life. Her therapeutic approach is trauma-informed and incorporates a balance of both experiential and cognitive/talk based therapies. She incorporates modalities such as Internal Family Systems (IFS or “parts work”), somatic and mindfulness-based therapy, and ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, in addition to other cognitive-behavioral modalities such as Motivational Interviewing and CBT.
Anna’s work focuses on helping clients deepen self-awareness and build self-compassion. She values a collaborative, client-centered process, recognizing each person's innate capacity for healing while also considering the broader systemic and multi-generational factors that influence individual struggles.
Prior to becoming a therapist, Anna worked in clinical research at the Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research. There, she served as a psychedelic session facilitator in clinical trials examining psilocybin-assisted therapy for Major Depressive Disorder and Anorexia Nervosa, under the leadership of Roland Griffiths, Ph.D. Her clinical training in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy was shaped by mentors such as Mary Cosimano, LMSW, and Natalie Gukasyan, MD, among others.
What types of clients or issues are you most passionate about working with?
I’m especially passionate about supporting people through life transitions, navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, and identity exploration. It’s incredibly meaningful to walk alongside clients as they reconnect with their inner strength and sense of self.
How do you create a safe and welcoming space for your clients?
I focus on building trust by showing up with warmth, curiosity, and deep respect for each person’s pace. My goal is to create a space where clients feel seen and heard—where they can be themselves without fear of judgment, and where they’re in the driver’s seat.
How do you continue growing personally and professionally?
I stay engaged and inspired through doing certificate training programs, participating in conferences/workshops, reading books, receiving clinical mentorship, and attending my own therapy. Personally, I recharge by spending time in nature, dancing, making art, traveling, and sharing laughs with friends or a good podcast.
What is something about you that might surprise people?
I ordained as a Buddhist nun for a short period of time while studying Buddhism in India!
Pets?
I have an adorable tabby cat! I found him two weeks into lockdown in 2020 in a hubcap of a car, and we’ve been together ever since!