About Me
Welcome… My name is Anna, and I use she/her pronouns. Thank you for taking a moment to get to know me.
As a therapist with a background as a first-generation Ukrainian American immigrant, I specialize in working with individuals navigating the intricate landscapes of trauma, cultural transitions, and identity formation. My clients often grapple with:
– Persistent feelings of inadequacy or unworthiness
– Pervasive uncertainty in various life aspects
– Symptoms of anxiety, depression, and existential concerns
– Challenges in reconciling multiple identities
– Hesitation to fully engage with life and form meaningful connections
– Physical manifestations of trauma, including chronic pain and dissociation
– Struggles related to systemic oppression and marginalization
My personal journey of immigrating alone at 19 provides me with a unique lens through which I approach therapy, especially for those experiencing cultural and life transitions or feeling “othered” in their environments. In our sessions, I’d help you identify what keeps you stuck, what creates inner tension between your desire to experience life fully, and your fear of straying from what is familiar.
How I Work
In our collaborative therapeutic space, we’ll work towards:
– Fostering a compassionate relationship with yourself, free from self-criticism
– Recognizing and modifying self-limiting patterns
– Enhancing self-awareness and confidence in your own judgment
– Exploring the balance between embracing new experiences and the comfort of familiarity
– Addressing the physical impacts of trauma and stress
My therapeutic approach integrates trauma-informed practices, including Somatic Experiencing, bioenergetic analysis, and psychodynamic theories. I also incorporate elements of yoga, meditation, and body-based therapies to offer a comprehensive healing experience.
As a trilingual therapist fluent in English, Russian, and Ukrainian, I’m well-equipped to support clients from diverse linguistic backgrounds.
Our work together will create a safe environment for you to explore the full range of your experiences, emotions, and identities. My ultimate goal is to support you in nurturing the most vital relationship in your life – the one you have with yourself.
Education and Training
– MSW with a focus on psychodynamics in reproductive health for queer couples, 2017-2019
– BA in Psychology, 2013-2016
– Somatic Experiencing Trauma Institute Program, which gives me specialized experience working with attachment ruptures, developmental, and systemic trauma, 2019-2022
– Additional training in yoga, psychoanalytic psychotherapy, and arts and trauma treatment
– I’m beginning training in The NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARM) in the spring of 2025
Specializations
Trauma: I work with individuals who have experienced attachment ruptures, developmental trauma, and systemic trauma, helping them acknowledge and work through the impacts of oppression, whether it’s systemic oppression or turning against oneself.
Anxiety: Difficulty relaxing or managing time effectively; nervousness, stress, or discomfort arising in social settings or while being alone.
Depression: I help clients increase awareness and insight around the manifests of internal pain and anguish, such as feelings of sadness, hopelessness, worthlessness, loss of meaning and self-trust, and fear of life and connection with others.
Immigration & Identity Transition: Navigating complex dynamics of cultural transition and identity; managing feelings of being othered; addressing challenges of adaptation; fostering congruent integration of diverse identities; adjusting to new environments and thriving by embracing one’s full self in all its complexity.
Somatic Symptoms & Stress: Chronic pain, dissociation, numbness, and other physical manifestations of emotional distress, like loss of interest or pleasure in activities; physical symptoms such as headaches, muscle tension, or digestive issues; changes in sleep, appetite, and energy levels; and difficulty concentrating or making decisions; decreased motivation and productivity.
Relationship Challenges and Sexual Expression: I help clients address frequent conflicts, disagreements, or misunderstandings with a partner, where feelings of being unheard, disrespected, or emotionally disconnected are common. We explore challenges like jealousy, infidelity, or lack of trust, alongside decreased intimacy and enjoyment. My approach supports individuals in understanding the impact of trauma and emotional distress on their relationships and sexual expression.
Shame: A complex emotional and physiological response where individuals feel deeply unworthy, flawed, or inadequate. It is often experienced as physical sensations like chest tightness or stomach sinking, or an overall sense of contraction and smallness, involving the autonomic nervous system. Common behaviors include excessive self-criticism, a strong need for approval, and avoiding triggering situations.
Career struggles: Feeling unfulfilled, dissatisfied, or stagnant in one’s job or career; lack of motivation, engagement, or sense of purpose; experiencing burnout, chronic stress, or work-life imbalance; concerns about job security or professional growth.
Contact
To contact me, you can email me at anna.velychko.lcsw@gmail.com, visit my Psychology Today profile, or call me at 862-294-4101.