Therapists in Cedar Rapids, IA

I strongly believe that people are not meant to navigate through life alone. Whether you're dealing with a difficult situation or just managing your day-to-day life, we all need a safe and supportive space to process, navigate, heal, and grow. As a therapist, I strive to create such an environment where you are met with compassion and understanding, and without judgement.

Do you ever want someone to talk with about stressors, life challenges or improve your mood? Let's face it 2020 brought more changes and perhaps challenges to us all. Perhaps, your child needs to talk with someone about their stress/mood or learn new ways to express their feelings? We all need support at times. Therapy is support and teaming with a therapist to identify possible solutions to the stressors in our lives. I would be honored to talk and work with you.

As a clinician trained in Generalist Practice as well as Adlerian Play Therapy, I enjoy working with many different ages. I have over 15 years experience working with children, teens, adults, and families facing a multitude of issues as a social work professional. Contact me to discuss how I might help you, your child, or your family.

Current Openings - I am an experienced clinical social worker who is dedicated to offering a safe, inclusive space for you to work through stress, trauma, discomfort, and happiness too. All without judgement. Some of the people I have had the privilege to work with are medical professionals, teachers/educational admin, stay-at-home moms, teens, women who have experienced tumultuous relationships and/or with infertility, parents, adults and teens who identify as LGBTQIA+, persons in open or poly relationships, students of all ages/educations. I want to work with any person who wants to be a better version of themself. You are enough.

Over 20 years of experience with child mental health needs including direct work with issues such as developmental delays, early childhood traumatic illness, childhood victims of abuse neglect and crime, foster care and adoption, autism spectrum, grief and loss, anxiety and depression, academic and behavioral issues in school, sibling and parent/child relationship difficulties.

Still Waters has an individualized substance abuse program focusing on individual's strengths, needs, experiences & goals. This gives clients a deeper, more meaningful experience versus one-size-fits-all rehab programs that funnel clients into their most profitable addiction programs (e.g., Intensive Outpatient Treatment). Still Waters is the only licensed program that has a holistic mind-body-spirit approach to addiction, in Eastern Iowa, founded on faith-based, Christian principles, while respecting everyone regardless of their beliefs or faith.

Everyone deserves a safe place to express their emotions, find the inner strength needed to make fulfilling change and be their best self. I believe that no two people experience life the same way and I will work with you to develop a treatment plan that works best for your needs and goals in a compassionate and judgment-free space. Change can be difficult. It is my hope that therapy can help you feel empowered to meet that difficulty with the strength and resources necessary for living a balanced and mentally well life.

When faced with overwhelming anxiety, depression or other mental health needs, it is hard to know where to turn at times. Talking to your family, friends or co-workers helps, sometimes, but you want to feel safe, free to say what's on your mind without feeling judged. Perhaps you are or have been traumatized at some time in your life and you just can't seem to get the confidence to be your own person. Seeking a therapist can be scary, and feel like a huge task, but it does not have to be when you have the right person to guide you through the forest to achieve your best self.

I see counseling as an opportunity to create new possibilities rather than addressing a series of rights and wrongs. I believe that change is most notable when we challenge the faulty thoughts and perceptions we have about ourselves, others, and the world around us. By learning to challenge our thinking we can have greater interpersonal relationships, self-image, and create a more persuasive and stable pattern of moods. I am trained in strategies to assist in ongoing dedication to the identified problem outside of the counseling session. It is essential that counseling relationships are collaborative.

I believe everyone has a best self and that sometimes this best self gets lost or forgotten about. My practice is about helping individuals, couples, and families become their best selves. This may mean working through compulsive behaviors (drugs, alcohol, eating disorders, shopping, etc.), addressing anxiety/depression, working to repair relationships, or assisting with life's transitions (pre-marital, divorce, empty nester, etc.). Everyone deserves the opportunity to live their best life.

Day-to-day life can be challenging! When you add symptoms of depression, anxiety, or trauma, life becomes unbearable. Naturally, we are not born knowing how to navigate the flood of feelings or the loneliness that comes from stress, trauma, and losses. Attempting to fix it yourself or ignoring the problem can result in a cycle of escalating emotions. But you don't have to do this alone. Therapy is a collaborative relationship where together we process your personality, values, and strengths and use them to get you to a better and calmer place. I use evidence-based psychotherapy approaches that best suit you, including CBT and ACT.

I assist in helping clients heal from trauma, sexual abuse, eating disorders, depression, and anxiety. I use a wide variety of treatment modalities to assist in overcoming difficulties. I use several treatment modalities, based on what you need. I am certified in EMDR, which is a first line treatment for helping people to overcome trauma. It is also used to treat other emotional experiences. I also assist with people struggling to cope in healthy manners, and help you to discover and implement new coping skills. You will learn new skills to assist you in having the life you want.