Therapists in Cedar Rapids, IA

As humans, we are the experts in our lives and experiences, but we long for connection. I believe we can heal our bodies, minds, and souls through movement, a safe place, occasional laughter, nature, music, animals, and sometimes art. I find myself grounded in attachment-based, somatic, trauma-focused care working with ages 3-77+. Interpersonal Neurobiology is a topic I tend to "geek out" on and become excited about. Utilizing mindfulness throughout sessions with adults and as a play therapist, I believe that children communicate and heal through play; I include sensory work, sand tray, attachment-based play, and EMDR to assist all.

**Currently Accepting New Clients** Mental health is important now more than ever as increased solitude and stress can only heighten symptoms that are already plaguing individuals, couples, and families. It is increasingly important to take the steps necessary to maintain that health through seeking a trusting and empathetic source of support and connection.

How can I tell my troubles to a stranger? What will they think of me? Part of mental health therapy is creating a safe space for people to come to and talk about whatever they want to talk about. I believe trust is essential for successful outcomes. I've been the daughter, the spouse, the parent, and the human who is struggling with past and present challenges. It is important to me to give you the space you need. I specialize in helping narcisisstic/gaslighting survivors, autism spectrum disorder, self esteem, depression, anxiety, grief, kids 12 and over, adults, individuals, and families.

Making the decision to seek help is one of the bravest things a person can do and I am proud to be able to offer that help. I believe that change is possible when there is support and compassion present, which is why I use a mixture of therapeutic techniques to elicit those changes. I work with individuals, couples, and families to identify solutions and implement positive changes in the lives of my clients. Utilizing a strengths based approach allows hope to be a building block for that change and shift attention away from perceived weaknesses.

I recognize that making the decision to come to therapy can be overwhelming and unfamiliar. I strive to create a safe, non-judgmental, and supportive environment for my clients to explore their thoughts, emotions, and experiences. I use a combination of approaches to best fit the needs of each individual including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and Motivational Interviewing.

Hi there and congratulations on taking the possibly daunting step towards finding a therapist. I don't know you, but I know that takes courage. My style as a therapist can be described as collaborative, curious, responsive, intentional, and above all else, human. Although we are all experiencing this wild ride called life, I know that no two stories/individuals are the same. I'm genuinely curious about my clients and what makes them who they are, which leads way to individualized care and true understanding.

Allow me to assist you with processing through emotional experiences from the comfort of your own space. My education and training is focused on helping you heal from significant events that have happened to you. While working together, you may gain a better understanding of how past or current experiences have impacted your self-worth and overall well-being. I ensure that you feel supported and empowered throughout your therapeutic journey.

Being stuck in an emotional tornado with no end is devastating. The past year+ has been full of hurt, fear, loss, and the unexpected... to say the least. You end up feeling lost, unsure of yourself, your relationships, your job, your whole world. You end up feeling alone, feeling a hole in your body that can't or is refusing to be filled, feeling like shit at the end of most days. Sometimes you see a glimmer of hope... yet you doubt it's real.

As humans, we mistakenly forget to take care of ourselves causing us to overestimate our weaknesses and underestimate our strengths. Allow me to help you explore your strengths to give you the courage to create change within your life.

I am a licensed masters social worker/therapist (LMSW) who has worked in a variety of settings such as inpatient, outpatient, youth shelters, adult shelters, and community based therapy settings. After experiencing Hurricane Katrina, I chose to focus my studies on how to help my clients process and move through their traumatic experiences. My passion is teaching clients the skills and tools they need to improve their lives while connecting them with a better understanding of who they are and where they want to go. Everyone is important and deserves a nonjudgmental, comforting space and the support to figure things out.

It’s hard to keep it together, right? Between work, kids, and relationships, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and under-resourced. Talking about it can be a good first step in marshaling your resources to overcome challenges that make it hard to stay focused on what matters. Whether it’s issues with a partner, stresses over parenting kids, stepkids, or grandkids, or simply feeling stuck in finding the next step in your story that brings you in, I’d be honored to hear it. I bring a lively, empathetic approach to sessions and focus on helping you find strategies to move forward while taking stock of where you've been.

Claire currently has a waitlist. Please email for availability. Claire believes therapy is a collaborative experience and encourages you to discover and make the choices that are right for you. You might have multiple areas in your life (work, home, relationships) you are trying to manage, and are not sure where to start. You might have multiple mental health concerns and struggle to know where to start. We will take time to explore your urgent needs and long term needs and develop a plan together that aligns with your goals, values, and priorities.

I work with individuals, children 3+, teens, couples and families. I primarily specialize in play therapy and am currently receiving training to help kiddos process through their struggles utilizing play. I also work closely with families to help find solutions by looking at the larger system. I choose to look at your strengths to help encourage you to push forward on your journey with therapy. My goal is to connect with you and to honor your experiences while working with you to achieve your goals.

Have you ever woken up and felt like getting out of bed was like trying to climb Mount Everest, but no one understood? Ever just thought about work and felt fear clawing at your chest and throat? Have you been told you were not “trying hard enough” or were just “unmotivated” or “lazy” when behind the scenes you try so hard it overwhelmed you? I have, and you are not alone. Now imagine waking up, jumping out of bed, feeling refreshed. Imagine knowing that despite the challenges you face you can succeed and it “fills you with determination”. Imagine that, even on the worse days, you know “this too shall pass”.

Relationships are hard and heartbreak is even harder. Every day you feel like you are drifting further and further away from your partner. You avoid conversation at times because you don't know what to say, and when you do talk you both seem irritated at each other or end up in an argument. You no longer feel seen or heard and at the same time have difficulty being there for your partner. You miss the joy, laughter and physical connection you had in the beginning. .

You really can have your cake and eat it, too! You can learn to enjoy food guilt free and stop avoiding mirrors. Hating what you see in the mirror directly affects how and what you eat, creating emotional eating and periods where you don't eat at all (or only very little). This fosters a fear of food, not trusting yourself around food, and a desire for more self control or willpower. I call this the diet roller coaster and it's not a fun (nor healthy) place to be. Let's get you off the diet roller coaster and end your history of yo-yo dieting.

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.

Feeling exhausted? Overwhelmed? Irritated? Life is hard. Plain and simple. Situations and circumstances so often drive us in a direction we weren't prepared. So many of us have a hard time figuring out what to do in these moments. I have worked with nurses, doctors, educators, mothers, teen girls, college students, persons involved with DHS/DCF, birth & adoptive parents, pregnant women, LGBTQIA persons and so many others who have been through big life events, albeit trauma or otherwise, that have landed them in a place that feels dark and confusing. Anxiety can come in forms that we didn't know existed - until we are there.

Hello :) I'm so glad you've taken the first step to better your mental, emotional, and spiritual health. We all have human needs that we are trying to meet, and sometimes it feels as though we are not adequately meeting those needs. It can be frustrating, disheartening, exhausting, and overwhelming. You are not alone in your struggles! I am here to walk this path with you.