Ann Thiessen

Ann is a graduate of New York University’s Mental Health Counseling program, a clinician at Awaken Wellness MHC, and a current clinical psychology student. She is committed to creating a safe, empathetic, and empowering space for individuals, adolescents, families, and couples. Ann identifies as a transracial adoptive parent and former foster parent, experiences that deeply shaped her understanding of identity, attachment, culture, and family systems. These identities inform the way she shows up—grounded, attuned, and mindful of the complex relational and systemic contexts my clients navigate.

Her work is trauma-informed and integrative, drawing from attachment theory, psychodynamic therapy, family systems, somatic practices, narrative therapy, CBT, DBT, mindfulness-based approaches, and the Gottman Method. She strives to meet clients with warmth, curiosity, and respect, tailoring treatment to their lived experiences and supporting them in discovering and expressing their voice.

She has extensive experience working with adolescents, adults, couples, families, and groups. Her areas of focus include trauma, attachment, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, adoption and foster care, family dynamics, academic and athletic stressors, and the experiences of siblings and caregivers of individuals with disabilities.

Outside the therapy room, Ann is a certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor, Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning (ESMHL), and Usui Reiki Master. She is passionate about integrating holistic and experiential modalities—including equine-assisted activities—into healing. As a parent and lifelong learner, she believes deeply in each person’s capacity for growth, connection, and transformation.