Self Esteem Therapists in Hiawatha, IA

As a therapist, it is my goal to provide you a safe and comfortable space to process through difficult experiences and emotions. I want to collaborate with you to address any areas of growth that you are hoping to address. YOU, as the client, are the driving force behind our therapy work together. I work with teens aged 12-17, as well as adults 18 and older, focusing on addressing concerns related to self-esteem, anxiety, depression, trauma, and life transitions. Throughout my career, I have gained extensive experience working with individuals across various age groups in schools, homes, and the community.

Elizabeth Miller-White, MA, tLMFT is a temporary licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Elizabeth believes each client is the expert in their own lives. Elizabeth enjoys working with adult individuals, children 8 and up, and couples. Elizabeth's interests include depression, anxiety, self-esteem issues, ADHD, couple issues including discernment counseling, borderline personality disorder, attachment issues, domestic abuse victims, and eating disorders.

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.

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.

Each person has a unique and valid story; it is a privilege to get to learn each client’s. As a clinician, my goal is to help discover and expand clients' existing resources and skills, in order to grow in the directions they choose. I enjoy working with adolescents and adults who may have PTSD and a history of trauma in their lives, ADHD, anxiety, depression, struggles with body image, weight stigma, and/or sexuality. I welcome clients who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community as well as those who may practice nontraditional relationship structures such as consensual nonmonogamy.

I work primarily with children and teens; I use both play therapy and talk therapy techniques with clients as appropriate as we work together in therapy. I have a passion for experiential therapy. I believe the most important element of therapy is the therapist's unconditional positive regard for the client. A client's capacity for growth increases according to how much they believe others believe in them. As a therapist, I am sometimes the first person a child/teen will trust besides their parent(s) who says, "You are good. You are capable of growth and change. I believe in you."

Sometimes the things we experience don’t come with words to express them. I use an integrative trauma-informed body-aware approach to help clients listen to the stories that their bodies, emotions, and experiences are trying to tell them. I provide a compassionate, supportive atmosphere to allow your inner experiences to be witnessed and processed in a welcoming and non-judgmental space. I often incorporate grounding exercises, mindfulness, coping skills, and integration of both EMDR and art therapy when working with individuals to connect deeply within themselves to provide safety and empower them to transform their lives.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Doing my own personal work in therapy is what led me to become a therapist. I believe strongly in paying it forward, and I would like to be there for you to normalize the process of participating in mental health counseling. You don’t need to suffer in silence. Unconditional positive regard and validation can be uplifting to those who are struggling. I believe that people have the ability to grow and change into who they want to become. As your therapist, my goal is to help you live the best life you can.

No one should move through life, silently experiencing emotional distress with little to no sense of hope, yet so many individuals do. Whether it be a result of biology and/or experience, a person’s thoughts and emotions can greatly shape their reality- leaving them to struggle to see the light at the end of the tunnel. By reconnecting with their values and seeing one's purpose in life, a person can begin to break free from the hold that uncomfortable thoughts and emotions can have on them. While involvement in therapy entails a great deal of vulnerability, it can also be an important step toward desired growth.

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.

I recognize the importance of having a safe, encouraging, and nonjudgmental space to share your story and unpack life’s hardships. Working with individuals ages 5 and older from a variety of backgrounds, I strive to help my clients feel validated, supported, and comfortable in sharing and exploring their story. It is a privilege to witness and celebrate my client’s breakthroughs, successes, and self-discoveries.

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.

As your therapist, I'm here to be present while you share your experiences. I appreciate the mindset, “To be clear is to be kind” and bring that into the therapy room. You are the expert on your own life, experiences, feelings, and behaviors, but there may be times when you need a little help sorting that out. I have a quirky outlook on the world that allows me to provide a safe, genuine, real experience that helps you to navigate through the absurdity of life. I enjoy working with adults, teens 16 and up, LGBTQI+, neuroqueer, and traditional and nontraditional relationships.

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.