Adults Therapists in Waverly, IA

I am a licensed mental health counselor in the state of Iowa, who has been working in the counseling field for over 20 years. I primarily serve adults and adolescents who struggle with depression and anxiety, relationship distress, stress management, eating concerns, and histories of trauma.

I have over 15 years experience working as a clinician with children, adults, couples and families. Areas of practice: trauma informed, play therapy, grief/loss, CBT. Practice settings include: individual and family mental health therapy with community-based services, youth in residential treatment and temporary shelter placements. Medical settings include: hospice, home health, long-term care facilities acute care. Practice with groups for caregiver support, grief/loss groups for children ages 5 through adults, and children's bereavement camp for children 5 and up.

I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Iowa. I earned both my B.A. in psychology with a minor in family studies and my M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Northern Iowa. I provide individual counseling to adults. I have experience working with anxiety, depression, stress, men’s issues, perinatal mental health, and relationship issues. I have worked in the mental health field in various ways since 2014, including a practicum with UNI’s counseling center and an internship with Allen Hospital’s Employee Assistance Program.

I work with children and teens providing a safe space to process traumatic events, explore emotions and build self esteem. Working to create a positive therapeutic relationship is the goal with every client that steps into my office. I work with children who struggle to self-regulate, are unsure of how to express their emotions in a healthy way, or those who have experienced some type of trauma. I also utilize body-based trauma processing skills with teens and young adults who have experienced traumatic events.

Everyone has resilience but when negative forces take over, sometimes it can make it too difficult to cope. My mission as a therapist is to support you in building more resilience, so you can live your most authentic life through healing and self-discovery. I approach therapy through a strength-based lens. That means I focus on your internal and external strengths and resources, rather than your deficits. I draw from Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Family Systems Therapy, Play-Based Therapy Techniques and Solution-Focused Therapy to name a few.

Accepting new clients this spring! Life can be so challenging and you are going through so much! I am here to support you and provide a safe, nonjudgmental space for you to express and process. I have worked with children/teens, young adults, college students, and adults. I have experience working with anxiety, stress management, self-esteem and confidence, self-care, and interpersonal relationship issues. Most of my clients have wanted to work on improving their overall quality of life, increasing their self-esteem and confidence, being able to regulate their emotions, and feel happy with where they are and where they want to be.

I have been working in the counseling field for 20 years. I enjoy helping clients help themselves move forward and live a healthier life. I've worked in college counseling centers, community mental health, schools, and in Corporate America. I use a cognitive behavioral approach and focus on each client's strengths. I've worked with many clinical issues: including anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties and many other issues that interfere with one's ability to enjoy life. I truly believe that if an individual, couple or family want help, healing is possible.

I have worked in the social work field for over 25 years. My experience includes providing individual family therapy in a community-based setting, working 15 years with the State of Iowa Department of Human Services, and as a certified drug and alcohol counselor. I am also certified as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor. I believe in working with the mind, body, and spirit. I have experience working with individuals that struggle with anxiety, depression, relationship problems, stress, addictions, life changes and all age groups.

I am a Licensed Independent Level Social Worker (LISW). I have been involved in the human service field for 28 years and have been providing therapy services for 18 years. I have a varied background with experience in corrections, in-home family therapy, mental health emergency evaluations and community mental health. I have extensive experience working with adolescents, domestic violence victims, people struggling with parenting issues, chronic mental illness, depression and anxiety.

Therapy can be overwhelming and it is important to me to create a place where you can feel safe to be vulnerable. I provide a calm and laid-back environment to offer an inviting atmosphere for you to discuss your feelings, thoughts, and experiences. This is especially important to me because I know that growth happens outside of our comfort zone. We aren’t always aware of what we can achieve, and I enjoy assisting others in opening their eyes to their full potential. I have a strong belief that being willing to explore the challenging pieces of ourselves will allow us to grow.

** Telehealth Sessions Available** Have you been noticing things like anxiety, sadness or irritation that keep showing up and are making it hard to be around your friends, care for your family or do things you enjoy? Do you need a space to talk about the really hard time you are going through right now? Maybe you have been frustrated, feeling overwhelmed and feel like you can't quite get to the changes that you are wanting? Or maybe you are struggling with your relationship with food and not able to tell anyone what is really going on and how hard it is to change it.

As a Counseling Psychologist, I help you cope with life challenges that affect your emotional, mental and physical health. The life concerns you face in relationships, in your career, at school, or with your health can impair your functioning and cause distress, depressed moods, anxiety, and sleep disturbances. My goal is to help you improve your sense of well‐being, alleviate feelings of distress and resolve crises. My background includes working at college counseling centers, private practice, healthcare settings, and an employee assistance program.

Accepting New Clients. Often what brings people to therapy can be summed up by the word “stuck”. You might be stuck in a rut; under a cloud of sadness or depression; caught in the spin cycle of anxiety; trying to process relationship issues or a big decision; or wanting to move past trauma or grief & loss. Maybe someone or something in your life has given you a soft or firm nudge in the direction of therapy. We’ll work through whatever you bring to therapy in a way that prepares you to meet any difficulties along the road while you reach your goals.

Are you struggling? Are you looking for a counselor with a Christian world view? If so, consider reaching out to our counselor. We believe, you were created for a purpose. Never settle for less than God’s very best for your life! We believe purpose can only be found through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Contact us if this is something that resonates with you.

Life is difficult, unpredictable, and not always beautiful. As a therapist, I will support you in working through the feelings that accompany those difficult times and work towards developing healthy view of yourself. Whether you are feeling overwhelmed with the stresses of everyday life, parenthood or work, experienced trauma, want to mend a relationship, explore attachment, or just need support through a trying time, I am here to help you reach your goals.

New clients welcome! I have many options for appointment times. I have had the privilege to work with diverse populations, multiple faith-based traditions, multicultural clients, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community. It takes courage to reach out and seek therapy. I honor that courage by providing compassionate, nonjudgmental, empathic listening and support establishing a safe place for clients to be able to share freely.

Life doesn't revolve around 9-5! I cater to shift workers and busy lifestyles by offering Evening, Late Night and NEW Night Owl time slots. I am currently accepting new clients and accept most major insurances in the state of IA.

There is no shame in the struggles of this life. It's Ok to not be Ok. Maybe you aren't even sure how you ended up here. Healing and growth can look different for different people. Together we will figure out what that looks like for you. And we will move at your pace. I believe that you can make positive changes at any point, no matter what you did or what was done to you. What is shared in counseling is confidential, sacred and empowering.

As your counselor, it's my goal to ensure that you have a safe space to bring any feelings and challenges that you might be experiencing. I strongly believe that the therapeutic experience is different for each client, and that your experiences and stories are unique to you. You're the expert in your own life. In therapy, I like to use a person centered approach, meaning I want to meet you where you are at, and allow you to have a an active role in your treatment. Once we have developed a relationship and established goals, we can create a treatment plan that feels right for you.