Family Therapy in Hiawatha, IA

As a therapist, I believe that a person is more than just the sum of their experiences. Each one of us is made up of our unique thoughts, emotions and ideas. I have devoted my career to finding ways of honoring who you are, as well as who you want to become. My clients range from children to adults, and my special interests are with teens, parents and families. I am clinically trained to help individuals and families experiencing trauma, anxiety, depression, impulsivity, conflicts and grief. My style is direct, non-judgmental and supportive, as we work together to create a treatment plan that uniquely fits your needs.

Everyone deserves compassion and love, as well as a place to feel safe and supported. I take a collaborative approach in working with clients to discover their true potential and reach their desired goals. I strive to provide each person with a nonjudgmental and safe place for emotional expression, exploration of perspective, and finding personal understanding and acceptance. I truly believe that every person is capable of growth and improvement, whatever that may look like for their personal journey.

Are you queer? Do you have a queer family member, partner, or kid? I provide queer and gender-affirming, neurodiverse-validating mental healthcare; WPATH-informed psychosocial assessments & letters of support; and mental health support for individuals, couples and partners, parents, and families like yours who may be struggling with trauma, stress, anxiety, depression, or adjustments and often must navigate confusing & less than accepting social and care scenarios. Have you experienced trauma? Unfortunately, LGBTQIA+ people are more likely to experience trauma. I help clients like you manage and process trauma and move forward.

As a play therapist, my passion is assisting children and their families in being able to process and heal through traumatic and difficult situations. I believe children are resilient and their main source of communication is through their play. I highly value offering a safe, accepting, and non-judgmental environment for individuals to begin making the changes and progress they are hoping for. By making these changes, our clients have the ability to live the life they want and do so successfully.

Person-centered. Trauma-informed. Solution-focused. These are the words I choose most frequently to describe my work in the therapy room. My greatest desire is to hold space for every individual that enters space with me, and support each of them as they learn to hold space for themselves. It is my goal to create a counter-cultural environment that allows us to work together to support you, your partner and your family to work to create a healthier framework for your relationships with each other and with yourself.

As a therapist, I am committed to honoring your autonomy, perspective, and experience in order to collaborate with you to reach your therapy goals. I view each person through a non-pathologizing lens and am committed to using my skills and resources to facilitate healing experiences during our time together. I strive to foster authentic relationships, offer challenges to facilitate growth, and empower individuals, couples, and families to actively engage in the process of healing. Please visit www.waxwingpsych.com for more information regarding my services.

Beginning psychotherapy is a very significant step in a person's life. I understand, and very much appreciate the trust that needs to be built to share thoughts, experiences, and pain that have brought you to this point. I also understand how difficult it is to share these kinds of things with someone you don't know. I realize that trust and this process takes time, and I believe and respect that the patient knows when they are ready to reveal and talk about their experiences and their emotions. I commit to providing you with a safe environment where you will feel comfortable to share and to achieve your treatment goals.

Do you have increasing concerns about your child’s mood and behavior? Perhaps your child has experienced a change, loss, traumatic experience or is struggling with peer relationships. As a parent, when your child is hurting, you hurt with them. While it can be difficult to ask for help, you don’t have to face these struggles alone. Many children experience mental and behavioral health challenges that are treatable. Through therapy, your child can develop healthy coping tools, improve emotional regulation, and learn positive and appropriate ways to get their needs met.

Overwhelmed, it's hard to breathe, tears well in your eyes, and you are fatigued with worry. Maybe the flood of emotions started recently or years ago. Perhaps someone hurt you, you saw something terrible happen, or you always felt down, scared and alone. You want nothing more then to feel confident again to move forward; free from hurt. My focus is on helping others resolve what is most troubling for them.

Your health and well-being are important, and when you make the decision to care for your mental health, MWR is here to partner with you. MWR Counseling provides outpatient mental health counseling to individuals, couples, and families. Our providers specialize in multiple areas, including perinatal mental health, EMDR and somatic trauma treatment, OCD, and chronic pain. When you contact MWR, you will be connected with a therapist who is trained and experienced in providing treatment for your specific needs.

There comes a time in people’s lives when they aren’t comfortable where they are and want a change. I believe people deserve to live happier lives with renewed hope whether they are experiencing uncomfortable adjustments or have been enduring painful moments in life. It is my hope to meet clients where they are and provide a supportive and accepting environment, while collaboratively working towards the client’s goals. By encouraging individuals, couples, and families to be experts in their own lives, we can create lasting positive change to increase quality of life.

From time to time everyone faces obstacles, changes, and challenges. When these experiences arise, no one should have to face them alone. Maybe you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, alone, or at the end of your rope. Maybe you want to understand more about yourself, want support and guidance for your child, or need a place to process impactful life experiences. Whatever it is that brings you to therapy, I am committed to helping you meet your unique goals.

Feeling stuck in a relationship, job, or past experience? Maybe you don't understand why you feel the way you do or why you can't stop doing something you don't want or why you can't start doing something you do. Maybe you're dealing with something really painful that you need to work through but don't know how. You're the expert on your life, your strengths, and what you need to thrive. Sometimes you - and all of us - just need a little help to see it.

Sometimes we are just at a loss. Life can be overwhelming and we all need validation that we have the strength to carry on. You might wish that you were more confident as a parent, in your relationships, career, or in yourself. Maybe you would like to regain your identity after having a child, be less worried about everything in life, or establish boundaries with others. Sometimes you just need someone to say “you’re not alone” and that “you can do this.” Our work is to embrace these challenges and fears, and to find the strength within to move forward.

Usually when someone asks me why they should go to therapy, I ask them if they think they could benefit from having a non-judgmental third party whose only motive in therapy is to help them get what they want in life. Having someone who can help identify the obstacles and then walk beside you to find healing and the solutions to the presenting struggles can be life changing. I want to be that person for you. The safe soul Sherpa. To be for you at times a guide, to be someone you can feel safe with, to feel safe enough to feel and heal, to be someone to challenge you to grow and find the light that is always shining within you.

I am accepting New Clients! I treat Individuals, Couples, and Adolescents. I strive to meet each client where they are authentically with empathy, curiosity, and compassion to foster connected relationships. I work to empower clients to feel comfortable with who they are and who they want to be. Everyone deserves a place to feel safe, understood, and to belong. Many of us can feel overwhelmed, rejected, and alone but don't know where to turn. Whether you are depressed, anxious, have experienced significant trauma, or just need someone to understand you and your lived experience. Everyone has the right to be at peace.

Currently accepting new clients! Throughout my past professional experiences working with victims of domestic abuse, sexual abuse, and other types of violent traumas, I walked alongside clients as they lived through some of the most difficult chapters in their stories. Being trusted with someone's story is an honor and a privilege, and should never be taken lightly. When a client walks into my office, my goal is to ensure that they feel safe, supported, valued, and empowered. There are numerous systems that people interact with that can have major impacts on their lives.

The human experience is to each their own, consisting of various experiences, emotions, parts, and relationships that make up each story. The power behind sharing your story can be irreplaceable, and I believe it is a privilege to embark on that journey alongside clients. Therapy can be intimidating, especially during challenging times. As a clinician, my goal is to empower clients with an approach tailored to each client’s specific needs.

Accepting new clients! We all have struggles, and sometimes we need support in working through our struggles. I use a non-pathologizing, collaborative approach. I am passionate about supporting individuals work towards healing. I will meet you where you are and will hold space for all of the parts that make up you as an individual.