LGBTQ+ Affirming Therapists in Iowa City, IA

I work well with creative types and those interested in existential exploration. If curiosity about the stories we construct about our lives, authenticity, and spirituality interest you, we might be an exceptional fit for meaningful work. Whether the pain you’re feeling is tremendous sadness, the aftermath of traumatic experiences, anxiousness, difficulty in relationships, patterns of self-harm, or thoughts of suicide, psychotherapy can be a conduit for powerful healing and discovery.

*Not accepting new clients at this time (Winter 2021/22)* I have had the honor of working with many diverse communities in my professional life, including: LGBTQ + people, the Transgender /Gender Non-conforming community, survivors of sexual exploitation and trafficking, people living with HIV, communities of color, and people in recovery from drugs and alcohol.

*Not Accepting New Clients* I am a licensed independent social worker (LISW) who has experience working with pre-teens, adolescents and adults. I spent time working as a behavioral specialist with youth ages 6-16 and also worked in a therapeutic high school. At the therapeutic high school I worked with youth on the autism spectrum as well as adolescents who had other mental health and behavioral problems. Additionally, I have worked in a program designed for prevention and recovery of those in early psychosis. Here I worked with young adults, ages 16-32, who had recently experienced their first psychotic episode.

*accepting new clinets* I consider you the expert on what is going on with you, including your feelings, worries, and concerns. In a collaborative and shared space, we can find new meaning in the problems you experience. As we go through life, roadblocks and barriers to success are inevitable. My goal is to provide an open and accepting space where all people feel heard and accepted throughout the therapeutic experience. I offer a brave space for adults, teens, couples, and families from all backgrounds and populations seeking therapy, and I am committed to acceptance and mutual respect.

I specialize in issues related to anxiety, depression, adhd, adverse life events, family of origin issues, and trauma. My approach to therapy is individualized. As I learn more about you, we will begin to establish what areas might be most helpful to focus on in our sessions. I consider myself a process-oriented therapist, meaning I am constantly updating and considering my approach. I believe that past experiences have an impact on how we manage situations and emotions today and that making those connections are valuable.

The therapists at United Action for Youth have a unique ability to engage teenagers in individual adolescent psychotherapy. They balance listening with talking; they don't lecture or blame; they tailor their style to increase the youth's comfort. UAY therapists have expertise in the areas that are common concerns for teens, parents, and young adults. Although our focus is serving youth 10-25, we can also provide services for adults if space is available.

*NOT ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS - WAITLIST ONLY* Poet Anne Sexton wrote, "That the worst of anyone Can be, finally, An accident of hope." If you're here, you probably feel at your worst. Maybe a traumatic event has left you feeling broken and lost. Perhaps what you've been doing to cope just isn't working anymore, or is doing more harm than good. Whatever your reasons, I'm glad you're thinking about therapy. This process can be scary and takes hard work, and I welcome anyone courageous enough to seek out hope.

I am a clinical social worker in Iowa with over 10 years of experience in the field and 3 in counseling. I have worked with clients on many issues, including anxiety and depression, addiction, family conflict, and grief. My therapeutic style is casual and based on a mutual exchange of ideas, knowledge, and understanding. I believe all people have the capacity for growth and learning. My approach combines multiple therapeutic modalities including cognitive behavioral, dialectical, trauma-informed, and mindfulness based treatment which I will adapt to fit your specific needs and concerns.

Finding a counselor that is a good fit for you is vitally important to the counseling process. With this in mind, I work hard to develop a strong therapeutic relationship that is collaborative and supportive for my clients. Here is a bit about me to help you decide if I would be a good fit to help with your concerns! I provide individual and group counseling to clients of all ages, including adolescents and adults. My previous experience has involved working with people in the correctional system. I also have training in working with people who identify as transgender and has experience writing letters of support for HRT or GRS.

***NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS*** My passion is to walk with you on your journey toward healing and wholeness. I offer a safe, welcoming, inclusive, and confidential space. You already possess the strengths you need to face life's challenges. Let's explore together.

Hi there! I am a mental health counselor specializing in anxiety, depression, stress, gender and sexuality, relationship challenges, and life transitions. In my practicum and internship experiences, I worked with a variety of populations including adolescents, older adults, LGBTQ + individuals, single mothers, university students, and more. Working with these groups, I've witnessed firsthand the resilience of clients in all manner of environments and situations. As a result, I have a passionate belief in the human ability to adapt and rise to overcome whatever obstacles stand in the way of living happy, healthy, and fulfilling lives.

I treat children, adolescents, families, couples, and individuals. I am passionate about social justice and am open to working with all client populations, regardless of race, religion, political views, sexual orientation, gender identity, or relationship status. My areas of special interest include couples in conflict, military families, families navigating divorce, LGBTQ + issues, sex therapy, infertility, ADHD, anxiety, and low self-esteem.

How can you live as your best, most authentic self? Caring for mental health is crucial to getting the most out of our experiences, relationships, and lives. Depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, trauma, life transitions, issues of identity, and other concerns can create obstacles to our personal growth; but given the right circumstances and support, you can not only grow but thrive. You can develop skills, awareness, and direction to help you manage the bumps in the road. By searching for a therapist, you’ve already started on your journey.

Everyone deserves to tell their story and to be listened to with respect and dignity. My passion is to give people a safe space to tell their stories so they can start on their path of healing. I assist my clients with finding a different perspective about their story or problem so they can build better relationships, navigate the future, and heal completely as a person.

**Full as of 2/7/2022** Living in a society that prioritizes physical health over mental well-being, we are often led to believe that our psychological health doesn’t matter. We are taught very early on that when things get hard and difficult emotions bubble up, we need to suck it up, put on a smile, and move on. This stigma leaves many of us without space to process the complex struggles we encounter throughout our lives. Therapy creates that space. No concern is too big or too small to work through in session together. Your life and your struggles matter.

Are you experiencing pain and discomfort? have you ever felt lost or broken? I want you to know that you can grow beyond that. If you have ever felt small, ashamed or traumatized, you can heal from that. You can rediscover the good and happiness within yourself that trauma has pushed down and away. I help all those who are ready to invest in themselves and take a path towards healing.

Shanthi Wellness, LLC, is re-opening on June 27th, 2022. Shanthi is a tele-mental health practice that uses a HIPAA compliant video-based system. I work with all mental health issues, but I focus a lot of my practice working with trauma, vicarious trauma, and working with medical professionals experiencing compassion fatigue or imposter syndrome. I only provide individual counseling for adults.

My ideal client is commited to personal growth. I believe we are all fragile creatures, yet capable of resilience. We experience painful thought/feeling states and then we weave stories to explain them. Narrative Therapy has been a natural fit for me: the client defines the goals, we examine the details of self-limiting stories, including family and cultural "scripts." We work to co-create stories about identity that have more space for possibilities and emotional resilience.

I enjoy working with individuals and couples ready to start their journey with therapy in a safe, non-judgemental, and confidential environment. My approach is eclectic, utilizing a collaborative approach to help foster positive life changes that improve quality of life. I work with individuals experiencing a wide range of concerns including: depression, anxiety, work and family stressors, communication difficulties, marital problems, life transitions, trauma, substance use, gambling, co-occurring disorders, and adjustment to disability.

**Not currently accepting new clients** As much as it can be amazing and beautiful, life can also be frustrating, stressful, lonely, overwhelming, and hard to navigate. You want it to be easier. You want to not feel so stuck, worried, sad, alone, confused, lost. You want things to be better. You want to feel better. You want meaning and connection. You're tired of being afraid. You want to live the life you see for yourself, but can't seem to reach. Maybe it's hard for you to get out there, connect, and be part of things. Maybe you feel invisible.