Anna Vangsness, LICSW
Therapists
Therapist
Anna Vangsness is a clinical social worker who has lived and worked in south Minneapolis for the past 13 years. She is white and is most connected to her Norwegian heritage. Anna practices psychotherapy in a way that is collaborative, person-centered, trauma-informed and empowering. She honors the stories that bring people into therapy while accompanying individuals, couples and families as they reconnect with their intentions, dreams, values, and goals. Anna joined the Community University Health Care Center in March 2018 as an outpatient mental health therapist providing services to adults, adolescents and children ages 6+. Prior to working at CUHCC, Anna was a social worker at Children’s Minnesota from 2013 – 2018, where she provided clinical services to children, adolescents, and their families and collaborated on community health and equity initiatives. Early in her career, she worked for a small NGO in Nicaragua, facilitating community development and cultural exchange programming, an experience that led her to the field of social work. Anna is fluent in Spanish.
Anna uses the following therapy modalities in her practice:
- Narrative therapy
- EMDR
- CBT
- Mind-body practices, including YogaCalm
Education
- MSW, University of Minnesota
- BA, College of St. Benedict
About Me
Specialties
Clinical Social Work
Why I Chose My Specialty
I have always been interested in listening to people’s stories. I was drawn to the field of social work because it is a helping profession that attempts to focus on both individual and societal well-being. Narrative therapy is an approach to therapy that aligns with my value of seeing people as the experts in their own lives.
This quote sums up why Narrative therapy is at the core of my practice:
"Narrative therapy seeks to be a respectful, non-blaming approach to counselling and community work, which centres people as the experts in their own lives. It views problems as separate from people and assumes people have many skills, competencies, beliefs, values, commitments and abilities that will assist them to reduce the influence of problems in their lives."
-Alice Morgan, Author of the book, “What is Narrative Therapy?”
Languages Spoken
- English
- Spanish
Honors/Experience
Prior to working at CUHCC, I was a social worker at Children’s Minnesota from 2013 – 2018, where I provided services to children, adolescents, and their families and collaborated on community health initiatives. I have also worked in public benefits navigation and advocacy. Early in my career, I worked for a non-profit organization in Nicaragua, facilitating community development and cultural exchange programming. Advanced training includes: Narrative Therapy Certificate (Levels 1, 2 and 3), Caspersen Training Center; EMDR Basic Training Course, Trauma Recovery/HAP; EMDR Early Trauma Protocol; Certificate Program in Primary Care Behavioral Health, Center for Integrated Primary Care, University of Massachusetts Medical School; Behavioral Health Consultant Training Academy, Cherokee Health Systems, Knoxville, TN
Professional Interests
Non-pathologizing approaches to therapy, Integrating EMDR with Narrative therapy, Response-based practice, Culture as a resource in health and healing, Clinical Supervision.
Additional Organizations I Am A Part Of
N/A
Hobbies
I enjoy camping, quilting and other crafting, playing music, and spending time with family and friends.
Farthest I've Traveled From Home
Namibia