What if I have never been to therapy before?

That is completely okay, and many of Annie's clients are beginning therapy for the first time. You do not need the right words, a diagnosis, or a crisis to start. The free consultation is a low-pressure way to ask questions and see how it feels to talk with her.

How long will I be in therapy?

It depends on what brings you and what you hope will change. Some people find what they need in a few months, and others choose to keep working longer. Annie will talk with you about your goals and check in along the way, so the length of your work always reflects what you need.

Do I have to talk about faith?

No. Faith is always an invitation, never an expectation. If your faith matters to you, it can be part of your healing. If you prefer a fully secular approach, it is set aside entirely, and you will be met with the same warmth either way.

What if Annie is not the right fit for me?

That is exactly what the free consultation is for. It gives you a chance to share a little of your story, ask anything you want, and decide whether this feels right, with no pressure or commitment.

Working With Annie: Her Approach to Therapy

If You're Just Beginning

Starting Therapy Can Feel Like a Lot

Reaching out for help is often the hardest step. You might not know exactly what is wrong, only that something feels heavy, or that the way things are is not the way you want them to stay. That is enough to begin.

You do not need a diagnosis or a crisis to start therapy, and you do not need to have it all figured out. Annie Harton Kassell, LMFT, works with individuals, couples, and families who are taking that first step, and she knows how much courage it takes.

Annie's Approach

Therapy That Meets You Where You Are

Real healing happens in relationship: in the safety of being truly seen, heard, and understood without judgment.

Annie's approach is collaborative. You work together as partners in your growth, at a pace that feels right for you. She draws on proven, research-based methods, but she believes the quality of the therapeutic relationship is what makes lasting change possible.

Safety First

A warm, nonjudgmental space where you can be honest about what you are experiencing, even the parts that feel hardest to say aloud.

Evidence-Based Care

Proven therapeutic methods tailored to your needs, so the strategies you use together are backed by research and refined by experience.

A True Partnership

You are the expert on your own life. Annie brings clinical insight and steady compassion, and you bring your courage and willingness to grow.

Whole-Person Healing

Care that pays attention to mind, heart, and spirit. For clients who want it, faith becomes part of the conversation alongside clinical best practices.

The Methods Behind the Work

Proven Tools, Chosen for You

Annie draws from several evidence-based approaches and uses what fits your situation.

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)

EFT helps couples understand the emotional patterns underneath their conflict, the cycle that keeps repeating, so they can reach for each other again and build a more secure bond.

The Gottman Method

Grounded in decades of relationship research, the Gottman Method strengthens friendship, helps couples manage conflict with less damage, and builds a shared sense of meaning.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT helps you notice the thought patterns that keep you stuck, such as harsh self-talk or anxious spirals, and practice responses that are truer and kinder.

Attachment and Narrative Approaches

These approaches explore how your earliest relationships shaped the way you connect today, and help you rewrite the stories you tell about yourself.

For engaged couples, Annie also uses premarital inventories including PREPARE/ENRICH, SYMBIS, and FOCCUS. Learn more about premarital counseling and marriage and couples counseling.

Faith and Therapy

A Space for Your Whole Self

For many people, faith is not separate from healing. It is part of it. If your faith is an important part of who you are, it can also be an important part of your therapy, through prayer, Scripture reflection, or conversations about how your faith shapes your relationships and sense of purpose.

This is always your choice. Whether you come from a strong faith tradition, are exploring spirituality, or prefer a fully secular approach, you will be met with equal warmth, respect, and professional care. Learn more about faith-integrated therapy.

Why Begin With Annie

What You Can Expect From Her

You Don't Need the Right Words

Many people arrive unsure how to describe what is wrong. That is normal. Annie will help you find language for what you have been carrying, one conversation at a time.

You Set the Pace

Nothing is forced and nothing is rushed. You go only as fast as feels safe, and you are never pushed to share something before you are ready.

You Won't Get a Script

There is no one-size-fits-all program here. The work is shaped around your story, your goals, and what matters most to you.

Someone Who Stays

Whether you are rebuilding after betrayal or simply trying to find yourself again, Annie walks alongside you for as much of the road as you need company on it.

Your First Steps

How to Get Started

Beginning is simpler than it might feel.

Step 1

Request a Free Consultation

Fill out a short consultation request. It takes a few minutes and asks only for the basics.

Step 2

Talk With Annie for 20 Minutes

A free call to share a little of your story, ask any questions you have, and see whether working together feels like the right fit.

Step 3

Begin Your First Session

Sessions are held by secure video from wherever you are comfortable. Your first sessions focus on getting to know you and what you hope will change.

Common Questions

Questions About Getting Started

A few things people often want to know before their first session.

What if I have never been to therapy before?: That is completely okay, and many of Annie's clients are beginning therapy for the first time. You do not need the right words, a diagnosis, or a crisis to start. The free consultation is a low-pressure way to ask questions and see how it feels to talk with her.
How long will I be in therapy?: It depends on what brings you and what you hope will change. Some people find what they need in a few months, and others choose to keep working longer. Annie will talk with you about your goals and check in along the way, so the length of your work always reflects what you need.
Do I have to talk about faith?: No. Faith is always an invitation, never an expectation. If your faith matters to you, it can be part of your healing. If you prefer a fully secular approach, it is set aside entirely, and you will be met with the same warmth either way.
What if Annie is not the right fit for me?: That is exactly what the free consultation is for. It gives you a chance to share a little of your story, ask anything you want, and decide whether this feels right, with no pressure or commitment.

You don't have to do this alone.

The first step is a free 20-minute consultation. Reach out, and you can figure out the rest together.

Your Next Chapter Starts Here

Request a Free Consultation