Meet Your Therapist
Hi, I’m Anna Khandrueva (she/her).
Growing up in 1980s Russia, I definitely wasn’t dreaming of becoming a therapist in Colorado. (Plot twist, right?) But here I am – many years and countless snowstorms later – calling this beautiful state home and helping fellow Coloradans feel a little more human and a little less overwhelmed.
I’m also a late-diagnosed neurodivergent person – which honestly explained so much. For most of my life, I felt a little “off script,” like everyone else had the manual and I somehow missed the first chapter. That experience is part of what makes me so passionate about helping others who’ve felt the same.
When I’m not in session, you’ll probably find me losing at trivia, overwatering my houseplants, or deep in a podcast rabbit hole. Yes, I’m an introvert. How could you tell – was it the plants or the podcasts?
Let’s be real: if you’re reading this, chances are you’re feeling a little stuck. Maybe a lot stuck. That’s okay. I founded Courage to Heal Therapy for people like you – people who are ready to face the hard stuff, even if it’s scary and messy. I’ll be here to celebrate your progress, and I’ll be right there when you stumble too. Healing is not a straight line (and thank goodness, because that would be so boring).
It Wasn’t Always This Way
Before I was a therapist, I worked in finance. And let’s just say... it didn’t spark joy. The days blurred together, the burnout was real, and I often fantasized about quitting everything to find something – anything – more meaningful.
Eventually, I stopped ignoring that little voice inside whispering, “You only get one life – do something that matters.” Scary? Yes. Worth it? Absolutely.
Becoming a therapist was hands-down the best decision I’ve made. Everything finally clicked. The peace I’d been chasing for years? It became possible. But I had to face my own fears and undo a lot of personal knots to get here – and that’s exactly what I help others do too.
What I Bring
I take this work seriously (even if I don’t take myself too seriously). I’m trained in EMDR Therapy, Accelerated Resolution Therapy, Comprehensive Resource Model and Emotionally Focused Therapy for couples. I also hold Level 2 certification in the Gottman Method for couples therapy. I’ve completed extensive post-grad training in trauma at University of Denver and earned a certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy from the Denver Family Institute. I also participated in IFS Online Circle, allowing me to offer IFS-guided therapy.
Being neurodivergent has shaped the way I connect – with the world, with my clients, and with myself. I get what it’s like to mask, to question, to overanalyze every interaction. And I’ve learned how to move through that with compassion rather than shame. If you’re navigating something similar, you’re not alone – and you don’t have to do it alone.
My Philosophy
Ever heard the story of Mohini, the beautiful white tigress at the D.C. Zoo?
She spent years confined in a twelve-by-twelve-foot cage – iron bars, concrete floor, nothing but routine. Every day, she paced the same tired path, over and over. Eventually, the zoo built her a spacious, natural habitat with rolling hills and lush green space. A whole new world, wide open.
But when Mohini was released, she walked to one corner... and began pacing that same small square. Same pattern. Same path. As if the cage still surrounded her, even though the bars were gone.
That’s learned helplessness. That’s what happens when you’ve been stuck in survival mode for too long – when you start to believe that stuck is all there is. You may know exactly what that feels like: repeating old behaviors, questioning your worth, struggling to imagine something different.
That’s where I come in. I’m here to gently challenge that loop. To help you see the invisible walls you’ve outgrown and remember that you’re not trapped – you’re healing. You deserve a life that feels expansive. Joyful. Yours.
Because the world isn’t just something to survive – it’s something to explore. And I promise, there’s so much more waiting for you outside that twelve-by-twelve-foot loop.
Behind the Scenes
Let me tell you about Jake.
Jake was my shadow, my sidekick, my occasional co-therapist. If you’ve done a virtual session with me, there’s a good chance you heard him snoring in the background. Loudly. No shame.
Jake was half-pointer, half-pit, and all heart. When I adopted him, he had a broken spine, barely any teeth, and a past that would make anyone wary. He’d been through it. But somehow, he never lost that flicker of hope in his eyes.
Even though Jake passed recently, he left a legacy of resilience I carry into every session. Jake was what Mohini never got to be – a survivor with support. Someone believed in him. Someone showed up. And because of that, he learned to trust again. To love. To rest.
That’s what healing can look like. Not perfect. Not linear. But possible – with the right support.
So, here’s the real question: do you want to stay pacing the same loop, or are you ready to find the courage to step beyond it?
I'll walk with you when you’re ready.
The Rates
50-Minute Session
$200
80-Minute Session
$300
I currently do not accept insurance
The Reviews
Education and Experience
Bachelor of Science in Psychology
Master of Social Work
2-Year Postgraduate Certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy
Trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
Trained in Gottman Method Level 2
Trained in EMDR
Trained in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)
IFS Informed
Certificate in Trauma Studies from University of Denver
5 Years Clinical Experience
Our Anti-Racism and Inclusion Policy
We stand firmly against racism.
We acknowledge our racial and cultural privilege and seek to use it to elevate BIPOC.
We also acknowledge our privilege when it comes to gender identity and sexual orientation, and vow to support and affirm those in the LGBTQIA+ community.
We acknowledge the problematic nature of the predominant models of psychotherapy coming from White, upper-class, cis gendered, heterosexual men and seek to promote models of psychotherapy that take into consideration cultural and societal implications of mental illness and health.
