Dr.Anna received undergraduate and graduate degrees in psychology from the Florida State University, Grand Canyon University, and a doctorate in Human Development and Family Studies from Texas Tech University. As an undergraduate student, I became involved in research labs investigating interventions in patients with cancer to help them cope with their disease as well as side effects from treatment. Hence, my focus became working with cancer patients.

My primary research involves working with those with cancer, mainly women with breast cancer. I follow a biopsychosocial approach and focus on psychosocial factors in this chronic cancer. I have conducted mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) programs with cancer and chronic pain patients for more than a decade, my goal being to help reduce mind-body suffering of those with chronic illness.