One of the best parts of the Hub is the people in it — so we’re introducing them. Meet Anna H. Anderson, M.S., M.Ed., LMFT, of Connected Family Therapy, a Phoenix therapist (and AAMFT Approved Supervisor and doctoral candidate) whose work is all about helping people connect — with their kids, their partners, and themselves.
Who Anna works with
Anna’s focus is relationships and neurodiversity. “I love working with youth and individuals with ADHD and ASD,” she says, and she especially enjoys supporting youth, families, and couples navigating neurodiversity together. Day to day, that looks like helping couples reconnect and helping parents understand how to support their child — and how to offer comfort. If your family is figuring out how to thrive with ADHD or autism in the mix, that’s her wheelhouse.
What drew her to this work
For Anna, this work is personal in more ways than one. “My passion for relationships drew me to this work,” she says — a love of helping people connect with the people who matter most to them, built on extensive experience with youth and families across many settings.
It’s also rooted in her own life. Anna is neurodivergent herself, and a parent to a teen son with neurodiversity — lived experience that shapes how she shows up for the families she sees. And she’s a lifelong learner: being a marriage and family therapist, she says, lets her “continue to learn and grow” in her work, which is part of what keeps her so engaged in it.
What a first session feels like
If you’re nervous about a first appointment, Anna’s approach is built to put you at ease. “My first session focuses on building trust and rapport,” she says. As a warm, relational therapist, she takes real time to understand what you need from therapy — learning about your history, what’s bringing you in now, and the goals you’d like to work toward. No rushing into the deep end; connection comes first.
How Anna recharges
Anna practices the balance she encourages in others. She recharges by moving her body — she’s a regular at group exercise classes around the Valley, from Mountainside Fitness to Body Alive, with a soft spot for strength classes and hot barre and pilates. The best part, and a fun fact she’s happy to share: her teenage daughter now comes to classes with her. Connection, again — even at the gym.
Working with Anna
Anna is currently accepting new clients, and she likes to start with a free 15-minute phone call to see whether the two of you are a good fit before booking. You can learn more and get in touch on Anna’s profile, or browse all of our Phoenix therapists to find the right fit for your family. (If you’re navigating back-to-school season with a child who’s feeling the pressure, she’s a great person to have in your corner.)