About Riverside Counseling

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Anna Bankey, MSW, LGSW (LICSW-eligible)

I am a Minnesota-based clinical mental health therapist/social worker with a focus on how relationships, life experiences, systems, and environmental stressors shape emotional well-being. My training in Clinical Social Work parallels LPCC and LMFT, with an emphasis on understanding the whole person—beyond symptoms—to create meaningful, lasting change.

I contract with Soul Work Counseling in Champlin, MN, working in collaboration with LMFT/Clinical Supervisor Edi Connor, which allows me to provide a comprehensive therapy experience, particularly for clients navigating stress, trauma, anxiety, and emotional overwhelm.

Approach
I integrate somatic and body-centered clinical neuro interventions with a deep understanding of how emotions are processed. By examining the interplay between your mental health and life circumstances, I create a full picture of how you’re functioning and develop personalized treatment plans that consider social, economic, and environmental factors. My services include individual therapy and crisis intervention; all grounded in the NASW Code of Ethics.

Experience
With over 20 years in somatic and natural health therapies, and more than 8,000 focused clinical hours in mental and behavioral health since 2021, I have worked with clients in a variety of settings including:

• Lakeview Behavioral Health 
• Nystrom & Associates (now Sagent) 
• Northern Pines Mental Health Clinic
• Lakes Country Counseling 
• Behavioral Health Alliance 
• Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Four Winds Treatment Center 

I draw on what I’ve learned from clients—the strategies and approaches that truly work—to create a unique, holistic practice at Riverside Counseling in Brainerd.

Education & Certifications

• Master’s in Clinical Social Work, St. Mary’s University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
• Bachelor’s in Social Work, College of St. Scholastica, Duluth, MN
• Associate of Arts, Central Lakes College, Brainerd MN
• EMDR Trained, Compassion Works, TX
• Certified in Eriksonian Hypnotherapy 
• 500-hour Massage Therapy Diploma & 1,500-hour Massage Therapy Instructor Certification, AR
• 200-hour Yoga Facilitator Certificate (Yoga Alliance recognized) 
• Currently renewing Holistic Nutrition Certification (UK-based program) 

Practicum & Training
Completed graduate and undergraduate clinical hours at Inmate Programs & Services | Crow Wing County, Residential Services Inc. Greater Minnesota Family Services, and Bridges of Hope in Brainerd, MN.

 HOLISTIC WELLNESS PERSPECTIVE

My therapy room is a space where walls can come down and people can feel safe being vulnerable with themselves and others. Life often asks us just to get through the day, to manage symptoms and survive—but I’m passionate about helping people move beyond that. Together, we explore not only how to climb out of the hole, but also what kind of life they want to build once they’re free of it. It’s an honor to walk alongside individuals and couples as they heal, grow, and step more fully into their authentic selves.

I take an integrative, holistic approach with a trauma-informed lens. I see people not as isolated problems, but as complex individuals shaped by the full spectrum of life experiences—past and present. I also value incorporating mindfulness and spirituality when it supports a client’s growth and healing.

I am an enrolled 1/3 member of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, and my heritage also includes Norwegian, South American, German and even Russian roots. I’ve been fortunate to learn spiritual teachings and guidance from mentors in the communities, and my experiences include Catholicism, Buddhism, and the study of other world religions. 

I’m naturally thoughtful, curious, and empathetic, and I approach each person with openness and respect—supporting your freedom to explore your own beliefs and path without judgment. I also work with clients in  exploring their spirituality, since it is often a missing piece in recovery, hope, and personal growth. Talking about your beliefs—or lack thereof—is important, and I am here to support you fully, without judgment or influence. 🌿 

At Riverside Counseling, therapy is focused, personalized, and grounded in evidence-based care—while also recognizing the important connection between the mind and body in the healing process.

 I believe every individual’s mental health journey is unique. I truly tailor therapeutic approaches to meet your specific needs and goals. Experience personalized, compassionate support that makes the difference.

My approach goes beyond symptoms—I look at your whole story, including your relationships, life experiences, and the environment around you, to understand what’s shaping your well-being. Together, we’ll explore patterns, uncover strengths, and build practical strategies for lasting change.

Whether you’re facing stress, anxiety, trauma, or life transitions, I provide compassionate, personalized support to help you move forward with confidence and resilience.

If you're struggling with anxiety, trauma, depression, or feeling stuck in patterns of guilt, shame, or low self-worth, therapy can help you regain clarity, emotional balance, and a stronger sense of control in your life.

Riverside Counseling services are designed to be accessible, offering flexible scheduling and remote telehealth options. I work with clients in Brainerd MN and all across Minnesota to make mental health support convenient & accessible.

At Riverside Counseling, I provide truly personalized, intensive therapy that meets you where you are. Every session is designed around your individual needs, goals, and life experiences, combining evidence-based psychotherapy with somatic and experiential techniques for deep, meaningful results.

Unlike traditional therapy approaches, my work integrates both mind and body, addressing not only thoughts and emotions but also how stress and trauma are stored physically. This approach allows clients to experience real transformation, gaining tools for emotional regulation, self-worth, and lasting mental wellness.

I want you to start feeling better—like, really better—as quickly as possible. I get it: you’re sick and tired of feeling stuck, drained, or overwhelmed. My style is holistic, which means I don’t just treat a symptom or a problem; I want to understand you as a whole person—your story, your experiences, and how they’ve shaped what’s happening in your life right now.

Therapy with me is real. No tiptoeing around issues, no pretending things are “fine” when they’re not. The most important part of our work is building a trusting, honest relationship. That’s the secret sauce for lasting change. I’ll walk with you, call out patterns that hold you back, and help you tap into the strengths and insights that will move you forward—so you can finally feel like you again.

If you’re searching for a therapist in Brainerd or Baxter MN or online therapy in Minnesota, Riverside Counseling is here to help.