Boundaries & Communication
Counseling Services
Setting boundaries is an important aspect of healthy communication. We have the right to communicate with others how we would like and would not like to be treated, and to protect the values that are important to us. When we set healthy boundaries we are showing respect for ourselves and others. There are many different reasons that we develop unhealthy boundaries and the consequences of those affect every area of our lives. Counseling can assist you in exploring your personal value system so that you can begin to communicate in a healthy way.
Boundary & Communication Counselors
Emilie has a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, a Bachelor’s Degree in Christian Counseling, and is currently pursuing her Ph.D at Drake University. Before joining the team at New Life, she had experience working with youth on probation, youth under the care of DHS, marriage and family therapy, eating disorders, homeless families, and working in various ministry positions.
Emilie utilizes many forms of therapy to help fit her client’s needs such as Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Family Systems Approaches and EMDR. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing) is a therapy designed to heal traumatic and stressful life experiences by decreasing the distressing emotions connected to those experiences.
Heather’s clinical area of focus is working with adolescent and adult clients dealing with depression, anxiety, relational conflict, grief and loss, postpartum depression, and life transitions. Her approach is to help you learn ways to deal with present circumstances, gain insight from your past, as well as hope for the future. She likes to assess you holistically and work with you to balance all areas of your life: spiritually, relationally, physically, nutritionally, mentally, and emotionally.
Heather has a Master of Arts degree in Community counseling and School Counseling with an undergraduate degree in Psychology. She uses an eclectic approach to counseling including various interventions from (CBT) Cognitive Behavioral, (DBT) Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and (TBRI) Trust Based Relational therapy. She also has an interest in how nutrition and gut health affect mental health. Heather is currently pursuing and learning more about nutritional and integrative medicine for mental health professionals. She only offers sessions through Telehealth as an online therapist for New Life Counseling.
Heather only sees patients via telehealth.
Erik has 20 years of experience in the behavioral health field working with individuals, adolescents, and families. He has a Master of Arts degree in Counseling.
He strives to adapt his therapeutic approach to the needs of the people he is serving, primarily using a cognitive-behavioral approach and some trauma approaches. He strives to give hope and help others recognize their ability to draw on their faith and strengths to overcome adversity.
Mike has a degree in Church Education, and a master’s degree in Counseling. He has his Temp LMHC and is working towards full mental health counseling licensure. Mike serviced as a youth minister for 15 years and has spent the last 10 serving youth and families in a social work capacity, providing in-home behavioral health services in addition to leading and training staff.
Mike is passionate about supporting people in their growth of awareness and acknowledgment, leading to changes in thinking and living.
DeAnne has a B.A in Psychology and an MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She has her Temp LMHC and is working towards full licensure.
DeAnne works under the umbrella of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, utilizing REBT, EFT, Family Systems, and Motivational Interviewing. She is a certified SYMBIS facilitator for pre-marital couples and is currently working toward Gottman marriage certification.
Stephanie's clinical experience includes working with adolescent, adult individuals, and couples utilizing a faith-based approach coupled with the therapeutic models of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Solution-focused practices.
Stephanie utilizes individualized treatment plans to meet each client where they are at including the areas of depression and anxiety, PTSD, addictions and recovery, relational conflict, grief and loss, emotional regulation, and difficult life changes/transitions.
Stephanie only sees patients via telehealth.
Sarah is pursuing her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and received her Bachelors in Ministry Leadership with a concentration in Women's Ministry. She has experience working in shelters for homeless women and their children as well as international missions. She also works at Assault Care Center Extending Shelter and Support (ACCESS) in Ames- responding and advocating for the needs of sexual assault and domestic violence victims.
She is a certified victim counselor with training in trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, various types of abuse, the civil and criminal justice systems, and more as it relates to sexual and domestic abuse.
Sarah specifically works with children, teen girls, and individual adults. Her professional areas of interest include: trauma, mothering and women's issues, life adjustment, anxiety, and self-worth.
Donald is the owner of New Life, has a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling Psychology and Religious Studies; he is also an ordained Wesleyan minister.
Donald’s experience and training includes individual, marriage, and family counseling, business and organizational consulting, personality testing, professional and personal coaching, and spiritual leadership. He is certified with the John Maxwell team and Amen Clinics.
Jessica's experience includes working with Medication Assisted Treatment, case management, and program development and management. She has experience running psychoeducational therapy groups with adults and has worked with both residential and outpatient levels of care, including the creation and development of an Intensive Outpatient Program. She worked at House of Mercy as a Substance Abuse Counselor in the Residential facility and has extensive knowledge and experience working with the Department of Human Services as well as Probation and Parole. She has been utilizing skills from treatment modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Restructuring, Person-Centered Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy, and the Matrix Model.
Meg holds a Master of Arts degree in Counseling Education and a Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy. She is also a Gottman Certified therapist for couples counseling. She provides therapy for individuals, couples, and adolescents and takes an interpersonal, client-centered, and collaborative approach to counseling.
Her experience includes inpatient and outpatient care for adults and children in a psychiatric setting, music therapy in a rehabilitation hospital, in-home counseling as part of a hospice team, bereavement counseling/management, and a special interest in emotional issues of individuals who have suffered from strokes, traumatic brain injuries, and other physical traumas.
Kelly has 25 years of experience working in public education as a teacher, instructional coach, and consultant with children, teens, and families. She holds a Master of Arts in Education and a Master of Science in Counseling; and has her LMHC (licensed mental health counselor).
Kelly utilizes many different therapeutic modalities ranging from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to play-based therapy based on your individual needs. Additionally, she has training in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR). EMDR is designed to heal stressful and traumatic life experiences by decreasing the strong emotions associated with those experiences.
Elena has a Masters of Arts degree in Counseling and Art therapy. She is a registered art therapist and licensed mental health counselor. Elena’s approach is holistic, trauma-informed, and incorporates art therapy, mindfulness, cognitive behavioral, client-centered, and strengths-based models.
Elena’s goal is always to provide a safe and supportive environment for her clients to explore their behaviors, thoughts, and emotions, and feel empowered to move toward growth, change, and healing.
Bekah has a Bachelors in Family services, a Master of Arts degree in Counseling, and has her Temp LMHC and is working towards full licensure. She is also a certified clinical mental health counselor.
Bekah has had a lifelong passion to bring hope and healing to those around her through a faith-based approach to counseling, using Biblical truths and principles as a guide for counseling. She desires to meet clients where they are at and walk alongside them in their counseling journey. Her faith is a huge part of who she is, and she loves bringing the truth of God’s word into sessions with clients who are open to it. Bekah believes that counseling is a collaborative effort where it takes both the counselor and the client working together to reach the client’s goals. She hopes to equip her clients with the tools they need to create balance and health in their lives.
Jordan has a bachelor’s degree in social work, a Master of Science in School Counseling, is a licensed social worker (LBSW), and has his LMHC. He has several years of experience working as a residential social worker and school counselor.
Jordan’s counseling approach is faith-based, using Biblical values and principles. He also utilizes Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Emotionally Focused Therapy techniques but likes to remain flexible based on his client’s needs. Jordan is a certified SYMBIS facilitator for pre-marital couples and is certified to give Prepare/Enrich assessments for couples.
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