Introducing Anna Grace!
Flourish Counseling & Wellness is home to highly trained and experienced providers who offer compassionate, individualized care for our clients. We believe one of the most vital elements to facilitate healing and growth in therapy is the ability to authentically connect with your provider.
This makes it crucial for you to connect with the clinician who suits your unique needs. For this reason, we want to enable you to be able to learn more about our providers in order to make an informed decision on who would be best able to support you.
We will be doing a series of blogs to introduce each of our providers - feel free to reach out directly to the featured provider in order to schedule a complimentary 15-minute consultation call.
Today, we will be featuring Anna Grace Boyd, Clinical Counseling Intern. Read more about Anna Grace below!
Anna Grace is a clinical intern with Flourish working toward her Master of Science in Clinical Counseling at Bellevue University. Anna Grace believes that therapy is a powerful act of self-care and courage.
Q+A with Anna Grace
What inspired you to become a therapist, and what do you love most about your work?
I have always been passionate about helping others. In high school, I enrolled in my first psychology course and quickly discovered a deep interest in understanding the mind–body connection. The way our brains influence our experiences and behaviors fascinated me and confirmed that I could merge my natural ability to care for others with my academic interests.
For me, it is an honor to hold space for someone as they navigate their personal journey. Supporting others, listening without judgment, and offering a safe environment where they feel free to share whatever is on their mind are some of the aspects I value most in my work. Creating that sense of safety and understanding is not only meaningful to my clients but also deeply fulfilling to me.
How would you describe your therapeutic style? Are you more directive or more exploratory?
I would describe my approach as a balance of both client-centered and directive styles. First and foremost, I believe the client is the expert of their own experience. My role is to provide a safe, supportive space where I can serve as a sounding board, an active listener, and a guide in exploring emotions and beliefs more deeply. At the same time, if a client prefers a more structured, goal-oriented approach, I am equally comfortable integrating tools and interventions to help support their growth and progress throughout their journey.
What therapy modalities do you use most often, and why?
My primary therapeutic modalities include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Internal Family Systems (IFS). I often use CBT as a foundation, as it provides an effective framework for identifying and challenging negative thought patterns while developing healthier coping strategies and behaviors.
I frequently draw on DBT tools as well, particularly for building skills in mindfulness, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. These strategies are practical, versatile, and highly beneficial across many areas of life. Plus, who doesn’t love a good acronym?
Additionally, I have a deep appreciation for IFS, which views each individual as a system of different “parts” that influence thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. I find this approach especially powerful for fostering personal growth, healing past wounds, and cultivating harmony between one’s inner parts and core “self.”
How do you tailor your approach to fit the needs of each client?
To me, therapy is about meeting each client exactly where they are. I believe it is essential to tailor the therapeutic approach to each individual, ensuring that their unique needs and goals remain at the center of the work we do together. At the start of our journey, I prioritize building a strong foundation by learning about the client’s history, preferences, and past experiences. Through these conversations, we can clarify goals and identify the approaches that will best support their growth and healing.
What do you believe is the most important factor in a successful therapeutic relationship?
There are many important elements within the therapeutic relationship—trust, respect, collaboration, and empathy among them. For me, the most essential factor is genuineness from both therapist and client. My goal is to create a space where clients feel safe to be their authentic selves, free from judgment, and supported in building a strong, collaborative alliance that fosters healing and growth.
How do you handle situations where a client feels stuck or isn’t making progress?
I would begin by addressing the concern directly and checking in with the client to see if they share the same perception of feeling stuck. From there, I would revisit the treatment plan and review the goals we originally established together, inviting the client to reflect on how they feel progress has been made toward those goals. If certain goals have been met, we can celebrate that progress and identify new areas of focus. If goals have not yet been achieved, I would work collaboratively with the client to adjust our approach and explore alternative strategies that may better support their growth and help them move forward.
What role do you think self-disclosure plays in therapy? Do you share personal experiences with clients?
I believe self-disclosure can play a meaningful role in building a therapeutic relationship when used thoughtfully and with intention. In the early stages of rapport-building, sharing brief similarities in interests or offering a small personal detail can help foster trust and connection, as long as it benefits the client. I approach this with the mindset of keeping disclosures concise—what I think of as “snippets.” If I can share something in 10 seconds or less that enhances the client’s sense of being understood or supported, I see that as appropriate. Otherwise, I prefer to keep personal details to myself unless the client asks directly or there is a clear therapeutic benefit to sharing.
How do you help clients manage and navigate difficult emotions during sessions?
Navigating difficult emotions in therapy can feel intimidating, but I view these moments as valuable opportunities for growth. When clients reach this point, I find it most effective to hold space and offer reflective listening. Allowing clients to fully experience and process the emotions they bring forward often leads to meaningful insight. My goal is to ensure they feel genuinely heard and supported, while affirming that their feelings are valid and that they make sense exactly as they are.
What is your perspective on integrating mindfulness, meditation, or other holistic approaches into therapy?
For me, mindfulness and holistic approaches are central to the therapeutic process. I view the mind, body, and spirit connection as the foundation of our emotions, decisions, actions, and behaviors. By increasing awareness of one aspect, we often gain valuable insight into the others. Promoting mindfulness helps foster balance and harmony among these parts, which I believe is essential for authentic healing and growth. Without integrating a holistic perspective, therapy risks overlooking important dimensions of the client’s experience. Incorporating the mind, body, and spirit is therefore vital to supporting clients in their healing, personal growth, and ability to live life more fully.
How do you take care of your own mental health to ensure you're fully present for your clients?
I strongly believe in the principle that “you can’t pour from an empty cup.” In order to show up fully for my clients, I prioritize intentional self-care and make time to reset regularly. I have a variety of strategies that support my own mental health, including attending my own therapy, walking my dogs, practicing yoga, spending time in nature, and enjoying relaxing activities like a bubble bath. I also find meaning in intentionally preparing meals, listening to music, and connecting with my family around the dinner table. These practices allow me to maintain balance, recharge, and bring my best self to my work with clients.
Meet the Author
Anna Grace, Clinical Counseling Intern
Anna Grace is a Master’s level clinical intern, studying to be a Licensed Professional Counselor in Colorado. She loves to work with teens and young adults navigating life’s challenges and transitions.
Her approach is holistic and integrative, acknowledging the complexity of human existence.
