Foster & Adoptive Therapists
IFAPA has created a list of Mental Health Professionals in Iowa. This list contains therapists who have experience working with foster and adoptive families. They are categorized by DHS Service Area. If you have a therapist experienced in foster care and adoption related issues that does not appear on this list, please send an e-mail to Crystal Thomason at cthomason@ifapa.org with your therapist name and contact info. IFAPA will contact the therapist about being included as a resource on our website.
Please note: This page is accurate to IFAPA's knowledge. The information posted below has been provided to us by each individual therapist. Please be sure to always verify that a therapist accepts your insurance / Medicaid before attending any sessions.
Western Service Area #1
Berneeta Wagoner, MSW
Southwest Iowa Families Inc
215 E Washington
Clarinda, IA 51632
712-542-3501
swfamilies@iowatelecom.net
Services provided: play therapy, individual counseling, family counseling, group work
Specialties: play therapy, group work for behavioral disordered kids, victims of physical or sexual abuse or neglect.
Ages served: 0-18
Insurances accepted: Most all insurances will pay
Accepts Medicaid? Yes
Appointments available: Monday-Friday: 8am-7pm, Saturday am appointments
Experience working with foster/adoptive families: I have worked with many foster and adoptive families. I have been in practice for over 30 years.
Other training: have attended numerous DHS and other workshops/training.
Lynnette Aschinger, LISW
Lutheran Family Service of Iowa
Zion Lutheran Church -
Denison (Mondays)
Grace Lutheran Church - Storm Lake (Tuesdays)
St. Paul's Lutheran Church - Ida Grove (Thursdays)
For appts, call:
712-276-9000
Services provided: Outpatient therapy
Specialties: Sexual abuse, victimization/loss issues, attachment disorders, play therapy
Ages served: 3 & up
Insurances accepted: Majority of insurance
Accepts Medicaid? Yes
Appointments available: Mondays, Tuesdays & Thursdays
Experience working with foster/adoptive families: Approx 15-20% of caseload is foster/adoptive children/families.
Other training: Extensive training in foster care, adoption, attachment disorders, abuse, grief and loss, play therapy and sexual abuse.
Marty Wallace, LMHC
Creative Living Center
1905 10th Street
Rock Valley, IA 51247
712-476-5245
mwallace@hickorytech.net
Services provided: child therapy, play therapy, theraplay, filial therapy, attachment therapy
Specialties: Attachment therapy, transferring the bond, play therapy, theraplay, filial therapy
Ages served: 3-16
Insurances accepted: Most insurance
Accepts Medicaid? Yes
Appointments available: Monday & Tuesday 9am-9pm, Wednesday & Thursday 9am-4pm, Friday 9am-1pm
Degree held: MA Ed Psych, LMHC, RPT/S
Other training: attachment disorders, support group management
Carolyn Phillips, LISW
A Brighter Tomorrow
505 5th Street, Ste 520
Sioux City, IA 51101
712-224-2892
abrightertomorrow@longlines.com
Services provided: mental health therapy and counseling, assessments, homestudies
Specialties: foster care and adoption
Ages served: 3-63
Insurances accepted: BCBS, other private insurances
Accepts Medicaid? yes
Appointments available: M-F 8:45am to 4:15pm, evening vary
Experience working with foster/adoptive families: Have treated over 100 families
Other training: Adoption Specialist Training, PS-MAPP leader/licenser
Northern Service Area #2
Rhonda Lettington, MS, LMHC, ACADC, NCC, CHTP
1340 250th Street
Decorah, IA 52101
563-382-6446
let@oneota.net
Services provided: Individual and family therapy, week-long intense treatment for individuals and caregivers on attachment issues
Specialties: trauma, children with attachment issues, chemical abuse/dependency, working burned out parents, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Healing Body Level Up, EFT and Healing Touch
Ages Served: Birth and up
Insurance Accepted: None
Medicaid (Title 19)? No
Days and hours available: unknown
Experience working with foster/adoptive families: My case load is almost all foster and adoptive families.
Other training: Mrs. Lettington and her husband have been treatment level foster parent in Iowa and have adopted three children with RAD.
Sarah E. Gellhaus-Thomas, LMFT, LMHC
Anastasi Counseling Services
1520 6th Street SW
Mason City, IA 50401
641-423-4180
Services provided: Therapy, counseling with individuals, couples, families
Specialties: certified alcohol and drug counselor, adolescents with behavioral problems
Ages served: preschool - adult
Insurances accepted: Most insurance, We are in-network providers for Blue Cross, Midlands Choice, Principal and other major networks. We are not in the United Health Care, John Deere, Three Rivers Provider Networks. Call with questions on other companies.
Accepts Medicaid? No
Appointments available: Wednesday: 3:00pm – 8:00pm; Friday: 8:00am – 12:00pm
Experience working with foster/adoptive families: several
Other training: Subject specific seminars, supervised treatment of special needs children/adolescents
Melody Stone, MA, LMHC
Cornerstone Counseling & Mediation Services
516 N Jefferson Ave
Mason City, IA 50401
641-424-8344
prairiemelody@gmail.com
Services provided: Individual, couples and family therapy, children and adolescents from age 3 to 18. I also provide consultation and education services to schools and organizations as well as mediation services.
Specialties: foster care and adoption, family counseling, attachment and bonding, grief and loss, abuse, play therapy, PTSD, depression, anxiety, OCD, ADHD, individual and couples relationship counseling.
Ages served: 3 to elderly
Insurances accepted: Yes, most accepted, also work on a sliding fee scale for families with no insurance
Accept Medicaid (Title 19)? Yes
Appointment available: Monday – Friday 7am to 7pm
Experience working with foster/adoptive families: Hundreds over the past 15 years.
Other training: I have been a foster and adoptive parent since 1988. I have worked for several private adoption agencies in the past and Gerard of Iowa as a clinical therapist in their residential and day treatment programs working with children with special needs.
Margaret Zander, MAE
Psychiatric Associates of NE Iowa
Common Ground Mediation & Counseling
146 West Dale
Waterloo, IA 50703
319-233-3351
Services provided: Mental health counseling, family therapy
Specialties: trauma, children
Ages served: 3-80
Insurances accepted: Most
Accepts Medicaid? Yes
Appointments available: Monday-Thursday: 8am-6pm, some Saturdays
Experience working with foster/adoptive families: Have treated over 100 families
Other training: Former, DHS worker, completed NOVA and DHS trainings, Attachment treatment training
Eastern Service Area #3
Charles S. Hayes, PhD
Psychology Health Group
2102 East 38th Street
Davenport, IA 52807
563-359-4049
Services provided: Psychological evaluations, play therapy, individual and family therapy
Specialties: Child clinical psychology, ADHD, child abuse, child mood and anxiety disorders
Ages served: 2-Adult
Insurances accepted: Most
Accepts Medicaid? Yes
Appointments available: Mondays – 8:30am-8:30pm, Tues., Wed. & Thurs. – 8:30am-6:30pm, Friday – 9:30am-5:30pm
Experience working with foster/adoptive families: Have worked with over 50 families
Other training: Training in attachment disorders
Cedar Rapids Service Area #4
Steven Washlet, LISW
Cedar Centre
1730 1st Ave
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
319-365-3993
Services provided: Individual, couples and family counseling
Specialties: Family relationships, parent/child management issues, ADHD, ODD
Ages served: School age through adulthood
Insurances accepted: Yes
Accepts Medicaid? Unknown
Appointments available: Monday – Friday, 8am to 6:15pm
Experience working with foster/adoptive families: Many over the last 25 years
Farrah Bonde, LISW
Coralville Family Counseling
1754 5th Street
Coralville, IA 52241
319-338-1052
farrahbonde@yahoo.com
Services provided: Individual and family therapy for children and adults, theraplay techniques, play therapy, EMDR, narrative therapy, attachment and bonding therapy
Specialties: Attachment related trauma/reactive attachment disorder, grief, loss, abuse, depression, anxiety, stress management, and emotional and behavioral issues in children
Ages served: all ages of children and adults served
Insurances accepted: All major insurances accepted as well as EAP benefits
Accepts Medicaid? Yes
Appointments available: Monday – Thursday 10am-6pm
Experience working with foster/adoptive families: 10 years experience and have treated hundreds of foster and adoptive families
Other training: EMDR, Registered Attachment Clinician training, training in Theraplay techniques, several hundred hours of specialized training in complex trauma and attachment disruptions, narrative therapy, play therapy, etc.
Katie Barreras, LISW
Coralville Family Counseling
1754 5th Street
Coralville, IA 52241
319-338-1052
kbarreras@mchsi.com
Services provided: Individual and family therapy
Specialties: Play-based therapies, pre and post adoption counseling, foster care counseling, child emotional and behavioral disorders
Ages served: Ages 3-12 and their parents
Insurances accepted: Yes, all major
Accepts Medicaid? Yes
Appointments available: Monday – Friday, evening appointment available
Experience working with foster/adoptive families: Have treated 50 foster/adoptive families
Other training: Six years of experience in family centered and foster care and adoption services. Multiple training and workshops related to child mental health, adoption, foster care, play therapy.
Tricia Hoffman, Psy.D. - Licensed Psychologist
Gersh, Hartson, Payne & Associates
373 Scott Court, Suite A
Iowa City, IA 52245
319-338-9960
dr_thoffman@yahoo.com
Services provided: Individual and family therapy, play therapy, psychological assessment, parent education
Specialties: Attachment, trauma, adoption issues, mood disorders, attention issues, psychological assessment
Ages served: All
Insurances accepted: All major - please contact clinic to confirm
Accepts Medicaid? No
Appointments available: By appointment
Experience working with foster/adoptive families: Over 75 families
Other training: Attendance at the ATTACh conference, an internship/employment at the Family Attachment Center in Minneapolis, training at the Trauma and Loss Institute in Detroit. Also, completed doctoral dissertation on attachment disruption.
Denise L. Best, LMHC, RAC
Adoption and Attachment Treatment Center of Iowa
800 Webster Street
Iowa City, IA 52240
319-338-2722
denisebest@mchsi.com
Services provided: child and adolescent therapy, marriage and family therapy, attachment and bonding therapy, behavioral assessments, trauma therapy, play therapy, grief/loss counseling
Specialties: Attachment and bonding therapy, therapeutic parenting training program, dyadic developmental psychotherapy, narrative therapy, & training and education of attachment disorder to professionals and parents.
Ages served: 2-17 and their families
Insurances accepted: All major
Accepts Medicaid? No
Appointments available: Monday – Friday 9am-7pm
Experience working with foster/adoptive families: Have 23 years experience in mental health and has been in private practice for 10 years with a focus on children and their families.
Other training: Registered attachment clinician, 150 hours of specialized parent training.
Jamie Berger, LMSW
Adoption and Attachment Treatment Center of Iowa
800 Webster Street
Iowa City, IA 52240
319-338-2722
jamieleeberger@yahoo.com
Services provided: family therapy, attachment and bonding therapy, trauma counseling, treatment for childhood and adolescent emotional and behavioral disorders
Specialties: Attachment and bonding therapy
Ages served: 5-17 and their families
Insurances accepted: All major
Accepts Medicaid? No
Appointments available: Monday – Friday 9am-7pm
Experience working with foster/adoptive families: Have worked with youth and their families who have emotional and behavioral issues for 5 years
Other training: Yes
Rebecca Dickinson, LISW
First Resources Corporation (2 locations)
1907 17th Ave E / 333 N Court St
Oskaloosa / Ottumwa, IA 52577 / 52501
641-673-1421 / 641-682-2800
rdson@firstresources.us
Services provided: Individual, couples, family and play therapy for children, youth and adults
Specialties: Specialize in working with children with both directive and non-directive play therapy. Utilize a variety of therapeutic styles based on client needs. Individualized treatment for each client/family.
Ages served: Ages 3 to Adult
Insurances accepted: BCBS of Iowa, Midlands Choice, American Behavioral EAP, EFR EAP, Magellan, Interplan Health Group-Humana
Accepts Medicaid? Yes
Appointments available: M – F 8am-5pm, some flexibility based on client needs; Tuesday & Thurs in Ottumwa office
Experience working with foster/adoptive families: Have treated 15 foster/adoptive families. I have been a licensed foster parent since Feb. 2010. I have worked in residential treatment and worked abroad in London England as a child protection social worker which included investigating reports of abuse, removing children from birth families and placing then in foster care.
Des Moines Service Area #5
Glenice Varley, LISW
The Richmond Center
125 South 3rd Street
Ames, IA 50010
515-232-5811
Services provided: Evaluation and counseling for children and family
Specialties: Child and family therapy including play therapy, individual therapy and family therapy
Ages served: 3-18 years olds, and their family members
Insurances accepted: All major insurances and EAP benefits
Accepts Medicaid? Yes
Appointments available: 4 days per week, one evening – hours vary 9am – 7pm
Experience working with foster/adoptive families: I have specialize in child treatment for 35 years, serving many families
Other training: continuous education regarding family systems needs, and childhood disorders and behaviors
Gregory Barclay, MD
Barclay & Associates, PC
2515 University Blvd., Suite 102
Ames, IA 50010
515-292-3023
mindy@drbarclay.com
Services provided: Evaluation, individual and family therapy. I have over 20 years of experience working with children, teens and parents involved in adoption, attachment and relinquishment issues. Medications, although useful as an adjunct, are not my primary focus.
Specialties: Teens with adoption/relinquishment issues, substance abuse, & conduct/personality disorder
Ages served: under 40, specializing in children, teens and families
Insurances accepted: Wellmark BCBS of Iowa, Health Alliance, Midlands Choice
Accepts Medicaid? Yes
Appointments available: M-F 8:40am - 5:00pm
Experience working with foster/adoptive families: Have treated over 200 families
Kim Abbey-Schrupp, LMHC, CCDP
Barclay & Associates, PC
2515 University Blvd., Suite 102
Ames, IA 50010
515-292-3023
mindy@drbarclay.com
Services provided: Individual & family counseling
Specialties: attachment, relinquishment and parenting therapy
Ages served: 10 - adult
Insurances accepted: Wellmark BCBS of Iowa, Health Alliance, Midlands Choice
Accepts Medicaid? Yes
Appointments available: M-F 8:40am - 6:00pm
Experience working with foster/adoptive families: Have treated over 100 families
Warren H. Phillips, Ph.D.
Central Iowa Psychological Services
319 Lincoln Way
Ames, IA 50010
515-233-1122
whp@iowacounseling.com
Services provided: Psychological testing and individual and family psychotherapy with children, teens and families
Specialties: ADHD, learning disorders, autism-spectrum disorders, pediatric bipolar disorder(s), anxiety disorders and OCD, post-traumatic stress disorder
Ages served: 5 years through age 18
Insurances accepted: All major insurances including Wellmark, Tricare, Coventry United Behavioral Health, Value Options
Accepts Medicaid? Yes
Appointments available: 11am to 5pm (Monday - Friday)
Experience working with foster/adoptive families: I have treated over 200 families
Other training: I have provided trainings for IFAPA on many topics for several years including behavior problems, ADHD, pediatric bipolar disorder, sexual abuse, and behavior management/parenting.
Joann Seeman-Smith, Ph.D.
Central Iowa Psychological Services
319 Lincoln Way
Ames, IA 50010
515-233-1122
jcs@iowacounseling.com
Services provided: Individual, family and play therapy. Evaluations and assessments as needed.
Specialties: Play therapy, ADHD, anxiety, depression, fostering positive attachment, behavior disorders, autism spectrum disorders.
Ages served: ages 2 & up
Insurances accepted: Many, call the office for specific details
Accepts Medicaid? Yes
Appointments available: 8am to 6pm (Monday - Friday)
Experience working with foster/adoptive families: I have worked with many foster and adoptive families over the years.
Other training: I present an IFAPA training on behavior modification techniques.
Matthew Hiveley, MS.Ed., Ph.D.
Central Iowa Psychological Services
319 Lincoln Way
Ames, IA 50010
515-233-1122
mth@iowacounseling.com
Services provided: Therapy/counseling to children, adolescents, adults, couples and families.
Specialties: I am a licensed Mental Health Counselor specializing in marital/couples therapy, depression, anxiety, parenting, and child/adolescent behavioral difficulties.
Ages served: children through adulthood
Insurances accepted: Virtually all insurances
Accepts Medicaid? Yes
Appointments available: Monday (9am-8pm); Tuesday - Friday (9am-4pm)
Experience working with foster/adoptive families: Many over the past 10 years.
Summer K. Brunscheen, Ph.D.
Central Iowa Psychological Services
319 Lincoln Way
Ames, IA 50010
515-233-1122
skb@iowacounseling.com
Services provided: Individual and family therapy, psychological testing
Specialties: ADHD, LD's, Anxiety, Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Borderline Personality Disorder
Ages served: ages 4 & older, primarily children and teens
Insurances accepted: Almost all: contact our office for a complete listing
Accepts Medicaid? Yes
Appointments available: Monday (9:30am-6pm); Tuesday - Thursday (8:30am-6pm), Friday (8:30am-4pm)
Experience working with foster/adoptive families: I have worked with over two dozen families.
Child Guidance Center / Orchard Place
808 5th Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50309
515-244-2267
Tharmeyer@orchardplace.org
Services provided: individual, family and group therapy, psychological testing and evaluation, and psychiatric evaluation and med management, and early childhood and school-based therapy
Specialties: attachment, trauma, loss
Ages served: 0-18
Insurances accepted: most insurances accepted and sliding fee scale available for those uninsured.
Accepts Medicaid? yes
Appointments available: Monday - Thursday: 8am-7pm, Friday: 8am-5pm; therapy appointments are attempted to be scheduled within 10 business days from initial call
Other training: therapists have received extensive training on attachment, trauma and loss issues and their effects on children; evidenced based practice of Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is often used
Tamra Jurgemeyer, MSW, LISW
Child Guidance Center / Orchard Place
808 5th Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50309
515-244-2267
tjurgemeyer@orchardplace.org
Services provided: mental health
Specialties: attachment issues, abuse/trauma, mood, PTSD, behavioral
Ages served: 6-21
Insurances accepted: All
Accepts Medicaid? Yes
Appointments available: Monday-Friday daytime
Experience working with foster/adoptive families: Have worked with hundreds of families
Other training: extensive training
Gladys Noll-Alvarez, MSW, LISW
Child Guidance Center / Orchard Place
808 5th Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50309
515-244-2267
galvarez@orchardplace.org
Services provided: individual, family, group therapy, attachment assessments and dyadic therapy
Specialties: young child who have been sexually abused and discovery work
Ages served: 0-18
Insurances accepted: All
Accepts Medicaid? Yes
Appointments available: Monday-Friday 8am-5pm
Experience working with foster/adoptive families: I have treated over 200 families.
Other training: I have knowledge in attachment disorder, attachment assessment and dyadic therapy. I have worked extensively with the Juvenile court system with Model court and Court Improvement Project.
Pat Petersen, MSW, LISW
The Healing Center
4685 Merle Hay Road, Suite 108
Des Moines, IA 50322
515-201-9953
pjmpete@aol.com
Services provided: Talk and sandplay therapy
Specialties: depression, anxiety, domestic violence, relationship issues
Ages served: 6 - Adult
Insurances accepted: Yes
Accepts Medicaid? Yes
Appointments available: Monday - Thursday 11- 7
Experience working with foster/adoptive families: Training and expertise in the treatment of children, adolescents and adults.
Daniel J. Harkness, Ph.D.
Iowa Health – Des Moines
East Des Moines Family Care Center
840 E. University Ave
Des Moines, IA 50316
515-265-1413 ext. 274
harkned2@ihs.org
Services provided: individual (including kids/adolescents). Marital/relationship, and family therapy and skill development (parenting, child emotional/behavioral)
Ages served: 3 & up
Insurances accepted: Most. Call for more info.
Accepts Medicaid? Yes
Appointments available: Monday, Friday 8am – 12pm, Tuesday, Thursday 1pm – 5pm
Experience working with foster/adoptive families: Marriage and family therapist in practice for 14 years
Other training: Worked five years as an intensive in-home therapist serving DHS-referred children and families, including foster family environments.
Kenya J Randall, MS, LMHC, LPHA
Mosaic Family Counseling Center, Inc.
3705 Grand Ave, Suite 100
Des Moines, IA 50312
515-724-8920
krandall@mosaicfamilyinc.com
Services provided: mental health counseling
Specialties: E.M.D.R. Trauma Counseling
Ages served: Children, adults, couples and families
Insurances accepted: Medicaid, BCBS
Accepts Medicaid? Yes
Appointments available: Monday-Friday (8am – 6pm)
Experience working with foster/adoptive families: 10+ years of working with foster and adoptive families
Molly Hayes, Psy.D.
Kavalier & Associates
1003 Grand Avenue
West Des Moines, IA 50265
515-267-1003
Services provided: child and adolescent individual therapy, family therapy, psychological assessment
Specialties: mood disorders, anxiety disorders, behavioral problems, abuse/neglect/trauma, pervasive developmental disorders (Autism spectrum), ADHD, learning disorders
Ages served: 0-18
Insurances accepted: please call for updated information
Accepts Medicaid? yes, not accepting new XIX (primary) at this time
Appointments available: Monday - Friday daytime, some early evening times available
Experience working with foster/adoptive families: Training and expertise working with many families with foster/adoption issues. While practicing in community mental health, about 40-50% of my caseload was with children and adolescents who were in foster care or had been adopted. Experiences in coordinating treatment with a multidisciplinary team including DHS, remedial workers, school staff and other providers.
Jeanne White, MSW
Kavalier & Associates
1003 Grand Ave
West Des Moines, IA 50265
515-267-1003
Services provided: Individual and family counseling
Specialties: Attachment, sexual abuse, depression
Ages served: 3 & up
Insurances accepted: Most
Accepts Medicaid? No
Appointments available: Monday, Wednesday, Friday – 8:30am-5pm; Tuesday, Thursday – 9:30am-6:30pm
Experience working with foster/adoptive families: Worked with many families
Other training: I am an adoptive parent. Previous counseling with birth and adoptive parents through Catholic and Lutheran Social Services. CEU workshops.
Bridget Bencke, LMHC, NCC, MA
Central Iowa Psychological Services
3737 Woodland Ave #415
West Des Moines, IA 50266
515-222-1999
bbencke@iowacounseling.com
Services provided: Therapy for children, teens and families
Specialties: Depression/anxiety, grief work, behavioral issues
Ages served:3-21
Insurances accepted: Tricare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, First Health, MHNet, APS Health, Multi Plan, Aetna, Coventry, Cigna, Principal
Accepts Medicaid? Yes
Appointments available: Monday (8am-5pm), Tuesday (10am-8pm), Wednesday (10am-7pm), Thursday
(8am-4pm), Friday (8am-3pm)
Experience working with foster/adoptive families: Several foster/adoptive children and families
Cassie Leutzinger, Psy. D.
Central Iowa Psychological Services
3737 Woodland Ave, Suite 415
West Des Moines, IA 50266
515-222-1999
cjl@iowacounseling.com
Services provided: Psychological assessment, psychotherapy
Specialties: Psychological testing
Ages served: 6+ for testing, 13+ for therapy
Insurances accepted: BCBS, UBH, Midland's Choice, Aetna
Accepts Medicaid? Therapy only
Appointments available: Monday (11am-7pm); Tuesday-Wednesday (10am-6pm); Thursday (9am-4pm); some Fridays (10am-2pm)
Attention Mental Health Professionals
If you would like to be included on this resource list and have experience working with foster and adoptive families and practice in Iowa or near the Iowa border, please e-mail Crystal Thomason at cthomason@ifapa.org.
