Anna Bruno , LCSW

Anna Bruno is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and a Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professional (QIDP) with seven years of clinical experience. As an LCSW she is trained to provide mental health assessment and therapy, and as a QIDP she has specialized knowledge supporting people with developmental and intellectual disabilities.

She earned a Bachelor of Social Work with a minor in Sociology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2013, then completed a Master of Social Work with a concentration in Mental Health from the same university in 2014. Early in her training she completed internships at The Autism Program and Skill Sprout, clinics focused on supporting children and adults who identify as autistic. In January 2020 she received the Outstanding New Social Worker award from the University of Illinois School of Social Work.

Throughout her career she has worked with individuals, parents, college students, and families navigating uncertainty, life transitions, and caregiving roles. Much of her practice centers on supporting people with developmental and intellectual disabilities, including autism and ADHD, and helping caregivers manage stress, compassion fatigue, and changing responsibilities. She also works with concerns such as grief, relationship and family issues, parenting challenges, career questions, and self-esteem.

Her approach emphasizes goal setting, actionable steps, and the right to self-determination. She aims to help clients identify strengths and practical strategies, serving as a sounding board, confidant, and respectful consultant as they navigate life changes.

Evidence-Based Support Online for Families and Neurodiverse Clients

Anna Bruno draws from practical, evidence-based techniques that focus on clear goals and teachable skills. One approach centers on goal-focused, action-oriented work that helps clients set realistic objectives and break them into manageable steps - this is useful for career decisions, life transitions, and parenting challenges.

Another emphasis is on skills-based coping and stress management, which teaches concrete strategies for anxiety, compassion fatigue, and day-to-day stress. These techniques help clients build routines, emotional regulation skills, and problem-solving habits that reduce overwhelm. A strength-based, supportive approach rounds out the work by highlighting personal resources and promoting self-determination, especially for people navigating developmental and intellectual disabilities such as autism and ADHD.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist works with each client to identify needs, preferences, and goals, and then adapts methods to fit the person and their family. This partnership helps ensure that interventions are practical and meaningful.

Online therapy offers flexibility and accessibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules, support caregivers and families in different locations, and maintain continuity of care during life changes.