Sam Agan, LMSW
About Sam
Samantha, Sam for short, was raised in Southeast Iowa and is now starting a family of her own in the same community she grew up in. She is newly married with her first child on the way and also has two fur children in her life! Sam graduated with her Masters in Social Work from the University of Northern Iowa in 2016 and has worked in private practice and for Great Prairie AEA supporting children with disabilities in the area of behavior and providing mental health services within the school setting.
She enjoys spending time with her family, building and working on projects with her husband, being outdoors and cuddling up with her pups. Besides having a passion to support others, Sam also has a passion for cooking and enjoys making new recipes and making others happy with food! She would love to own her own food truck one day! She believes that everyone, no matter their age, has their own story and deserves for that story to not only be heard but to truly be listened to.
Sam works with children, teens and adults who are experiencing a wide variety of issues in their lives. She works with individuals who experience anxiety, depression, learning disabilities, behavioral concerns, stress management, relationship issues and work life stress/transitions. She practices with mindfulness, person-centered, and strengths-based approaches. Her master’s degree was focused in Trauma Informed Care.
Education and Training
Sam is currently a Licensed Master Social Worker since August 2016 and is working on becoming a Licensed Independent Social Worker. Sam also plans to work towards becoming a Registered Play Therapist.
Availability
Sam is currently seeing clients virtually during evening hours and may have availability on Saturdays virtually if her schedule allows.
Maquel Anding, LMHC
About Maquel
Maquel was born and raised in Iowa. Growing up, she was very active in her local community and is happy to have returned home to Washington. She loves running and playing all kinds of sports. In college, she was a cheerleader at Wartburg College (Go Knights!). She is also an avid Hawkeye fan and loves cheering them on! In her free time, she enjoys cooking and entertaining with friends. Maquel’s theoretical approach to counseling is rooted in a narrative approach. She believes that every person has a unique and special story to be heard and shared. It is through these stories that people learn to author their own lives the way that they choose to. Maquel focuses on identifying clients’ values and how they can help them reach their own therapy and life goals. Maquel takes a creative and imaginative approach to counseling by incorporating things like art, music, literature and exercise into her work with clients.
Education and Training
Maquel earned her BA in Psychology from the University of Northern Iowa in 2012. During her undergraduate career, she worked as a teaching assistant for a variety of psychology courses, including Psychology and Law and Psychology of Gender Differences. In 2015, she earned her MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, also from the University of Northern Iowa; a CACCREP accredited program. Maquel did her practicum at Wartburg College, where she worked with college students on a variety of different issues. She administered depression and anxiety screenings and educated students about mental health and suicide awareness. She also created and led an empowerment group for young girls at the Waverly Middle School. Maquel did her internship at the Grace C. Mae Advocate Center in Washington. Here she developed a deeper passion for working with and helping children. Currently, she is working towards becoming a Registered Play Therapist.
License and Certification
LMHC: Licensed Mental Health Counselor
NCC: Nationally Certified Counselor
Member of the American Counseling Association
Availability
Maquel is available at the Washington office Tuesday through Friday. She is available during the day, as well as some evenings by appointment.
Kelly Galiher, LMHC
About Kelly
Kelly was raised in Cedar Rapids and has been living mainly in and around the Iowa City/Washington area since she enrolled at the University of Iowa in 1981. She completed her Masters Degree in counseling and human development in 1987 and has had a very rewarding career working in private practice, counseling agencies, and schools. Kelly has a lot of experience with community outreach, especially supporting minority youth and their families, as well as those living in poverty. Most of her working years have been spent as an at-risk specialist for schools in Washington County.
Kelly specializes in using Cognitive Behavior Therapy to help clients of all ages address anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and trauma. She has had special training in Cultural Diversity and Sensitivity and works well with LGBTQ clients as well as with persons with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. She has additional training in Solution-Focused Therapy, Emergency Intervention and Debriefing, and Sexual Abuse Treatment protocols that can be helpful in treating a variety of diagnoses, including, but not limited to, PTSD, anxiety, trauma situations/recovery, and depression. Using a person-centered theoretical framework as a basis for all she does in counseling, Kelly seeks to assist her clients in reaching their personal goals and empowering them to gain the skills along the way to create and maintain happy and healthy lives wherein they are positively connected to others, as well.
Kelly enjoys working with families, parents, and couples, and has a lot of experience supporting clients through tough times, recovery, and crisis. She specializes in wellness, pain management, addiction recovery, family issues, goal setting, and relaxation techniques. She has had many years of success helping others to change their minds, their moods, and their behavior in order to create what they really want in life and then learn to relax and enjoy it!
Education
BA Psychology with a minor in English and Dance, 1985
MA Counseling and Human Development, University of Iowa, 1987
License and Certifications
Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), State of Iowa
Availability
Kelly is available in the Washington office Monday through Friday by appointment.
Dr. Patricia Gilbaugh, Ph.D., LISW, RPT-S, CAS -- Executive Director
Ph.D., LISW-S, Certification in Play Therapy, AutPlay instructor, CAS, Clinical Supervisor, Founder & Executive Director of Grace C Mae Advocate Center and a Mental Health First Aid Instructor
About Patricia
Dr. Gilbaugh's minor at Mount Mercy College was in photography. She continues to photograph people as a hobby and a source of relieving stress. Her passion for black-and-white photography earned her several awards for amateur competitions. She took her own wedding pictures and has taken several teens' senior pictures. Due to her love of the ocean and nature, her favorite times are when she can photograph nature. Just "being" is her favorite thing to do. She loves spending time with her family, and she lives for road trips with her sister! She also enjoys traveling to new places and hopes to travel to all 92 countries in her lifetime. She hopes to travel in ways that allow her to immerse herself in different cultures. Her lifelong dream is to facilitate the organizing of a therapy team to respond to natural disasters to help children cope with the devastating trauma of losing their homes and families.
Training
Patricia is trained in all play therapy techniques, including non-directive, filial, sand tray, and Theraplay®. She completed her certification course work at MNU under the supervision of Dr. Marlo Winstead. Patricia’s specialty area is treatment of trauma, reactive attachment disorder, and childhood developmental disorders. Patricia has developed a strength in understanding brain development and human growth. Patricia’s training has included numerous years studying the effects of drugs, alcohol, and trauma on the developing brain of a child. Patricia is also trained as a forensic social worker and is a consultant to several law enforcement agencies in Iowa. She is an experienced social worker, therapist, trainer, and organizational consultant. She is a highly trained crisis counselor, and typically responds to such crises as natural disasters, school crisis intervention, sudden deaths, and violent crimes.
Education
Ph.D. - Social Work, University of Iowa
MSW - Social Work, University of Iowa
MPP - Public Policy, University of Northern Iowa
BA - Criminal Justice Administration & Psychology, Mt. Mercy College
License and Certifications
Licensed Independent Social Worker.
She is certified in Play Therapy thru Mid America Nazarene University (since 2010).
State of Iowa approved to supervise provisionally licensed providers.
Mental Health First Aid Instructor certification
AutPlay Instructor certification
Availability
Due to the high volume of consultation work, Dr. Gilbaugh carries only 5 patients on her caseload at a time.
Alyssa Hoeppner, LMSW
About Alyssa
Alyssa was born and raised in Eastern Iowa. In college, Alyssa was involved in the Social Work Group on campus and pep band for basketball games at the University of Northern Iowa, in Cedar Falls, Iowa. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends and playing with her dogs, Hank and Finley. Alyssa also enjoys social activities and listening to live music. Alyssa draws from a variety of theoretical orientations and frameworks in order to best help each client with his or her needs. She also believes that the client is the expert in his or her own life and that the client’s own goals and autonomy are important in therapy.
Training
Alyssa works with children, teens, adults, and families experiencing a wide variety of issues. Alyssa works with anxiety, depression, ADHD, ODD, communication issues, behavioral concerns, and trauma, among other diagnoses. Alyssa has completed her training for play therapy and child development, and she recently accepted a promotion from BHIS provider to a licensed therapist in the Cedar Rapids office. Alyssa has an enormous amount of experience working with victims and survivors of trauma and her Master’s degree was a trauma informed degree all based around trauma and its treatment. Alyssa has also attended many symposiums and speakers on trauma and resiliency of clients and their lives.
Education
Alyssa received her Bachelor of Arts in Social work with a minor in Psychology from the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Iowa in December, 2018. Alyssa then received her Master of Social Work from the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Iowa in May 2020.
License and Certifications
Licensed Master of Social Work, LMSW, since May 2020
AutPlay® Certification since April 2019
Availability
Alyssa is available in the Cedar Rapids office, as well as the Independence School District. Please call 319-361-6529 to schedule an appointment.
Monday, Wednesday and Friday in Independence Schools
Tuesday and Thursday in Cedar Rapids
Dawn Keith, t-LMHC
About Dawn
Dawn has over 20 years of experience working in a wide range of human services including substance abuse, child welfare, behavior intervention and domestic violence services, both in inner city and rural settings. Keeping a positive framework in therapy is of utmost importance, therefore solution-focused, mindfulness, and cognitive behavioral approaches are used to assist clients to become independent and confident when tackling difficulties that life sometimes brings. Dawn works with children, teens, adults, and families experiencing a variety of issues including anxiety, depression, ADHD, ODD, behavioral concerns, trauma, and many other mental health diagnoses.
Education
Dawn received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from the University of Iowa and her Master of Science in Professional Counseling from Grand Canyon University.
Training
Dawn has training in Solution Focused therapy, non-pharmaceutical interventions to anxiety, depression and ADHD, domestic violence interventions, behavioral interventions, sand tray therapy, AutPlay, non-directive and directive play therapy, and is working towards becoming a Registered Play Therapist.
License and Certifications
Temporary Licensed Mental Health Counselor (t-LMHC)
Availability
Dawn is available to see clients at the Washington office each week during the following hours:
Monday 3:00-6:30
Tuesday 8:00-4:00
Wednesday 8:00-6:00
Thursday 10:00-4:00
Friday 8:00-2:00
Melissa Kress, t-LMHC
About Melissa
Melissa enjoys working out at the gym, canoeing, and backpacking, listening to music, spending time with her family watching movies or playing games. Melissa has spent most of her life working with the special needs populations and appreciates their inspiring abilities and efforts.
Melissa is especially talented in play therapy for children and teens ages 4 years old to 17, on the Autism Spectrum, Attention Deficit Disorder or Oppositional defiant disorder. But these are only a few of her talents, she can work with adults, couples and families who have a wide variety of mental health therapy needs they wish to work on. Melissa is LGBTQ allied and maintains a culturally open mind to all whom seek Therapy.
Melissa draws from a wide variety of therapy techniques including Cognitive Behavior Therapy (Adults and Youth) , Mindfulness, Kottman Play Therapy, Sand tray, Art therapy and strives to use the modality that best suits the client’s individual needs. Melissa believes clients already have a true north, but often get lost and need to reach out for help on their journey to mental wellbeing. Melissa also believes that learning does not end in childhood and one must continue to nurture into adulthood.
Training.
Melissa completed her internship working with children and families at Tanager Place outpatient clinic, where she assisted in leading the after-school Autism Groups for social learning for grades 2-12.
Education
Melissa received her Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling from Upper Iowa University in June 2019.
License and Certification
Temporary Licensed Mental Health Counselor (t-LMHC)
Availability
Melissa is currently available Monday- Thursday 8AM-5PM and Friday 8AM-1PM.
View Melissa's profile on Psychology Today
Jodyie Lanser, LMHC
About Jodyie
Jodyie comes to Grace C Mae Advocate Center from Southern Iowa. She is originally from Oskaloosa. She now lives in Pella with her husband. Jodyie is often found in the her pool with her grandson. Her two adult children make excuses to come home in the summer to swim.
Education
In 1991, Jodyie completed her Bachelors Degree in Sociology, with a minor degree in Criminal Justice at Iowa State University. She continued her education in 2015, with a Masters Degree in Science with an emphasis in counseling from Grand Canyon University.
License & Certifications
Jodyie is licensed by the state of Iowa as a LMHC, License Mental Health Counselor
Mandatory Child Abuse Reporter 2017, AEA
Non-Violent Crisis Intervention
Experience & Services
Jodyie has worked in the counseling field for over twenty-five years.
Jodyie provides therapy that includes treatment suggestions and applying advanced psychosocial theory methods. Therapy evaluates and uses preventive, therapeutic, and restorative methods along with personal care services to assist in meeting the complex psychosocial needs of the client.
Jodyie treats anxiety, depression, ADHD, ODD, communication issues, behavioral concerns, and trauma, among other diagnoses. Jodyie will utilize Talk Therapy, Motivational Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy (SFT), Narrative Therapy, among many other therapies that fit the needs of the client.
Availability
Tuesday 11 am - 7 pm
Wednesday 12 pm - 7 pm
Thursday 10 am - 6 pm
Jonni Lukenbill-Bowles, t-LMHC
About Jonni
Washington, Iowa is where Jonni has recently chosen to make her new and permanent home. Jonni has a lifelong affinity for rural Iowa through family farms in the south central area around Lamoni. She was born and lived most of her life in north suburban Chicago. That combination of farmer’s daughter and city savvy helps Jonni understand a diverse range of cultures. Understanding that clients are the experts in their own lives and have their own stories to tell, Jonni collaborates with you harnessing the power of Narrative, Solution Focused Therapy that is integrated with a deep understanding of existential questions and crises at all stages and ages of development through the lifespan. Jonni has worked with clients from ages 18 to 90 in college, university, and agency settings. She is often heard and seen advocating for inter-generational understanding, and yes, witnessed that Millennials and Boomers can get along happily. She has extensive training in cultural diversity and has a strong connection to the LGBTQ community.
Much of Jonni’s expertise is in helping clients with career-related anxiety and career functioning. In other words, she helps you with finding and landing a job, communicating on your job, working on promotions in your job and coping with the frustrations and anxiety that can make you want to quit your job. She can help you with lower-stress alternatives to quitting or knowing when it is a good time to quit and what you can do about it. She was an active contributing member of the Illinois Career Development Association for over ten years.
Jonni is a life-long member of military families (both hers and her husband’s) and often gets involved in veteran’s activities with her husband who is a Vietnam-Era Army veteran. She has training in military anxiety and treatment and speaks the language of those who serve or have served.
Back in Illinois, she spent some time teaching art in after-school programs for K-8 children and adults in a studio setting. She also has extensive experience tutoring middle-school aged children who were coping with attention deficit-related learning problems.
Jonni’s leisure time is spent in pursuing outdoor activities like plein air painting, photography, hiking and gardening and is considering getting a new bicycle for the great trails around Washington and maybe a dog. She is currently seeking an opportunity to be involved in an inter-generational volunteer opportunity in Washington County.
Training and Education
Jonni has a Master of Science in Community Counseling at a CACREP program (2010) from National-Louis University, Chicago, Illinois and a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences with a minor in religions from Columbia College (satellite) in Gurnee, Illinois. She also has a special appreciation for community colleges having graduated with an Associate of Arts in Studio Art & Art History with a minor in social sciences from the College of Lake County in Grayslake, Illinois.
License and Certifications
Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Iowa, Provisional, (since 2020)
Certified Leadership and Resilience Coach, (since 2017)
National Board Certified Coach, BCC, Lifestyle Endorsement, (since 2012)
National Board Certified Counselor, (since 2011)
Licensed Professional Counselor, Illinois (since 2011)
Availability
Tuesdays, Wednesdays: 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays: 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
View Jonni's profile on Psychology Today
Lindsay Meade, MSW, LISW, RPT -- Director of Clinical Services
About Lindsay
Lindsay was born and raised in Eastern Iowa. She enjoys walking her dog, Mollie, cuddling with her cat, Lucky, and spending time outdoors. In college, she was a Resident Assistant and member of the swim team and concert band at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Lindsay draws from a variety of theoretical orientations in order to best help each client with his or her needs. She also believes that the client is the expert in his or her own life and that the client’s own goals and autonomy are important in therapy.
Training
Lindsay works with children, teens, adults, and families experiencing a wide variety of issues. Lindsay works with anxiety, depression, ADHD, ODD, communication issues, behavioral concerns, and trauma, among other diagnoses. Lindsay is a Registered Play Therapist® (RPT) and is certified as a Level II AutPlay® Therapy provider. Lindsay has an enormous amount of experience working with victims and survivors of trauma. Lindsay is undergoing her last steps in becoming certified as a handler for a therapy dog. She provides Animal Assisted Play Therapy® as a technique to help reduce barriers for children who have emotional problems. Lindsay brings her therapy-dog-in-training, Mollie, to work with her daily.
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Coe College, May 2015
Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, Coe College, May 2015
Minor in Writing, Coe College, May 2015
Master of Social Work (MSW), University of Iowa, May 2017
License and Certifications
Licensed Independent Social Worker, LISW, since June 2019
Licensed Master of Social Work, LMSW, June 2017 – June 2019
Level II Certified AutPlay® Therapy Provider since April 2019
Registered Play Therapist,® RPT, since January 2020
Availability
Lindsay is available at the Cedar Rapids office and online through telehealth Monday through Thursday 8:00-4:00 and Friday 8:30-12:30. Please call 319-361-6529 to schedule an appointment.
View Lindsay's profile on Psychology Today
JohnPaul Nganga, MEd, LMHC, NCC
About JohnPaul
I believe that my background in education has been a valuable tool in helping my clients gain a balanced perspective on the life issues they are facing. I believe that a supportive, caring, and honest relationship with each client is of the utmost importance and I strive to maintain a present, compassionate and open-minded consciousness throughout the therapy process. My greatest reward as a therapist is helping my clients explore ways to make the changes in their lives that will allow them to look forward to the future with hope. I believe that we all need someone to talk with who will really listen and accepts us as we are, without judgment. I provide my clients that warm, nonjudgmental environment and a safe place to explore the issues that may be preventing them from living the life they want.
Training and Specialization
My areas of expertise include depression, anxiety, addiction, co-occurring mental health and substance abuse problems, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, personality disorders, relationship issues, anger management, attention deficit disorder, low self-esteem, family issues, and adjustment to life changes.
I use a variety of treatment techniques in my counseling sessions depending on the needs of individual client. The approaches I most commonly use are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Person-Centered and Solution-Focused Therapies, as well as Existential Therapy. I see children, older adolescents, and adults.
Education
I received my bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in ministry studies from Dallas Christian College in Dallas, Texas in May 2013. I then proceeded to the University of West Georgia in Carrollton, Georgia and received his masters in professional counseling in 2016.
License and Certification
Temporary Licensed Mental Health Counselor (t-LMHC)
Availability
JohnPaul is available in the Washington office each week on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:00-8:00.
View JohnPaul's profile on Psychology Today
Jamie Rich, t-LMHC
About Jamie
During the warmer months, Jamie enjoys spending time outside running and riding her bike. She also enjoys watching movies and spending time with her family. Jamie works with clients of all ages, but has a particular passion for teens and young adults working through life transitions. Jamie also specializes in Play Therapy services for children ages 3-6. Jamie believes, with the right support, people are able to discover more choices and options for solutions. She prefers to use a Reality Therapy and Choice Theory approach.
Training
Jamie completed her counseling internship at Grace C. Mae Advocate Center and has completed the training for Play Therapy.
Education
Jamie received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Buena Vista University, and her Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from South Dakota State University.
License and Certification
Temporary Licensed Mental Health Counselor (t-LMHC)
Availability
Jamie provides services at the Marshalltown office and is available Monday – Friday, 10AM-6PM.
Bobby Jo Salm, LMSW
About Bobby Jo
Bobby Jo has a tendency to take in strays of all kinds, so she may have a revolving cast of rescue animals. She loves spending time with her husband and children.
Bobby Jo worked for the University of Iowa for 14 years and has extensive experience working with diverse populations.
Bobby Jo works from a strengths-based perspective and provides Solution Focused Therapy (SFT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Narrative Therapy, among many other therapies that fit the needs of the client. She provides social work interventions and therapy to individuals, groups, or to clients and their families with complex emotional or social problems. Bobby Jo works with all age groups experiencing a variety of issues including anxiety, depression, behavioral concerns, trauma, and many other mental health diagnoses.
Training
Bobby Jo has worked in various settings and with diverse populations. Some of her training took place in schools, hospitals, a chemical dependency clinic, and crisis centers. Bobby Jo is working towards becoming a Licensed Independent Social Worker and a Licensed Play Therapist.
License and Certifications
LMSW – Licensed Master Social Worker
Availability
Bobby Jo is available to see clients at the Marengo office each week during the following hours:
Monday: 7:00-4:15
Tuesday: 8:00-3:30
Wednesday: 7:15-6:45
Thursday: 7:00-4:00
Friday: 7:15-10:45
Bobby Jo also provides services in the Iowa Valley and Belle Plaine Schools.
Jen Smith, LMSW
About Jen
Jen was born and raised in Newton, Iowa and loved Friday night football games cheering on the Cardinals. She believes that life should be an adventure and that includes both the ups and the downs. Jen uses her easy-going lighthearted nature and sense of humor to make the most out of what life hands out. Some of her adventures include traveling Europe with Iowa Music Ambassadors and UNI Camp Adventure and an educational experience at a Hoopa Native American reservation in Northern California. When not seeking adventure, Jen can often be found on the golf course, hanging out with her 14-year-old son (and dog Daisy & cat Floofy), going to her son’s events, or with her nose in a book. Jen has a lot of experience within a variety of clinical settings. She is available for people of all ages, and has training in several types of therapy. Her style is to be transparent, reflecting of the truth, and extremely supportive. Her non-judgmental personality makes everyone feel so comfortable. Jen’s personal mission in life is to help people work towards becoming the best versions of themselves.
Education and Training
Jen began her educational path in special education with an emphasis on developmental and intellectual disabilities and behavior disorders including ADHD and ODD. Just prior to student teaching she decided that working with behavioral concerns fit her skill set more than academics. Jen then received her BA in Family Services. Jen managed group homes, in-home services and occupational services. She served as executive director for retirement communities for independent living, assisted living and memory care. Jen expanded her skill set working with teens with alcohol and chemical dependency in residential treatment. Prior to joining our team Jen gained experience as a hospice social worker/bereavement counselor and a therapist for an intensive out-patient psychiatric program.
License and Certification
Bachelor of Arts in Family Services in 2004 from University of Northern Iowa
Master of Social Work in 2014 from University of Northern Iowa
Licensed Master of Social Work (LMSW) since 2014
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