A method for making a deflectable catheter includes positioning a flexible element along a catheter liner. A flexible element distal portion extends along at least a portion of a deflectable distal end portion of the catheter liner. At least one anchor is engaged to the flexible element distal portion. The anchor extends at least part way around the flexible element distal portion. An encapsulant is positioned around at least the flexible element distal portion and the deflectable distal end portion. The method further includes squeezing the encapsulant around the flexible element distal portion and the anchor, wherein the encapsulant forms at least a portion of a sidewall of the deflectable distal end portion and at least the anchor is within the sidewall, and the encapsulant is adapted to transmit pushing and pulling forces from the at least one anchor to the deflectable distal end portion, and the tension strength and compression strength of the flexible element and the at least one anchor are at least as strong as the encapsulant tension strength and compression strength.