Assessment, individual, group, family and couples therapy services.

We offer a highly personalized approach tailored to each of our clients individual needs to help attain the personal growth they’re striving for.

Therapists

Brenda Wood-Clark, LMHC, NCC, CFTP

Executive and Clinical Director

Brenda is a Licensed Mental Health Therapist specializing in individual, couples, group, and family therapy. She is also a Certified Family Trauma Professional who believes that although we are all a product of our past, it should not define our future.

With over 20 years of experience working in mental health in a variety of capacities she specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. 

Brenda is also a contracted EAP Professional for 3M for their Knoxville, Iowa plant. She offers solution focused, systemic and practical supports and strategies for their EAP program. 

Brenda is an interactive, solution-focused therapist who believes that assisting the client to create a life that happens by them and not to them, is of utmost importance. Her therapeutic approach is to provide support and practical feedback to help clients effectively address personal life challenges.  She integrates complementary methodologies and techniques to offer a highly personalized approach tailored to each client. With compassion and understanding, Brenda works with each individual to help them build on their strengths and attain the personal growth they are committed to accomplishing.

Education
Brenda graduated from Buena Vista University completing a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in Human Services and Psychology and completed a Master of Science degree at Drake University in Mental Health Counseling.

License, Certifications & Awards

• License for Mental Health Counseling in the State of Iowa
• Basic I Certification in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
• Certified Family Trauma Professional (CFTP)

Professional Activities and Memberships

• Member of the American Counseling Association (ACA)
• Member of the Iowa Mental Health Counselors Association (IMHCA)
• Member of National Association for Professional Women
• Member International Association for Addictions and Offender Counseling (IAADC)
• Member Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES)
• Member of International Trauma Professionals (CFTP)
• Credentials and Background approved by Psychology Today
• Board Member-Camp Hertko Hollow Iowa

Susan Tridle, tLMHC, CADC

Mental Health Therapist/ Addictions Counselor

“We can only see with open eyes, We can only listen with open ears, We can only thing with open minds”  (Author unknown)

Susan has had extensive experience over the past 22 years with individuals of all ages and genders in educational settings, home settings, and facility settings. She has worked with individuals having many diagnoses (singular or multiple) including but not limited to: Intellectual Disabilities, Behavior Disorder, Learning Disabilities, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Angelman’s Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Behavior, Conduct Disorder, Anger Management, and Schizophrenia.  She is currently working toward completion of her Masters degree in Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a specialization in Substance Abuse.  Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is her specialization along with skill building to replace maladaptive behaviors with socially acceptable behaviors, and using coping skills for anger management.

Education:

• BA Community Recreation, Emphasis: Aquatics; BA: Elementary Education, BA Psychology
• MA in Teaching: Special Education
• Graduate Student in Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counseling, expected date of graduation: May 2019

Professional Activities/Memberships:

• Graduate Student Member of American Counseling Association
• Autism Society of Iowa, member
• National Education Association, member
• Nodaway Valley Education Association, membership committee co-chairperson
• Orient Women’s Club, President, Fundraiser chairperson

Ellaine Watkins, LMHC, NCC

Mental Health Therapist

"Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of overcoming it." -Helen Keller

Ellaine has worked in mental health for the past 8 years and has experience with working with children, adolescents, adults, and families. She has spent much of her career working with diagnoses such as: Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, and Major Depressive Disorder and Anxiety Disorders. Ellaine graduated from Drake University receiving her Master's Degree in Mental Health Counseling and is temporarily licensed in the state of Iowa working toward her full license.

Ellaine works with clients from a person centered, strengths based approach. Meeting clients where they are at, she works side-by-side with them so they can reach their goals. Ellaine utilizes many modalities in session including, but not limited to: CBT, EMDR, Play Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Anger Management, and Sand Tray.

Ellaine believes that everyone deserves the opportunity to improve their lives no matter what they have endured in the past.

Education:

• Bachelor's of Arts Degree from Central College in Biology and Psychology
• Master's of Science Degree from Drake University in Mental Health Counseling

Licences, Certification & Awards:

• License for Mental Health Counseling in the State of Iowa
• National Certified Counselor (NCC) by the National Board for Certified Counseling
• Basic I Certification in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
• Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) Trainer through LivingWorks
• Wellness Recover Action Plan (WRAP)
• Sand Tray Therapy
• Motivational Interviewing

Professional Activities & Memberships:

• American Counseling Association
• Iowa Mental Health Counselor Association
• National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI)

SAM PATTISON, MS, tLMHC

Mental Health Therapist

Sam has been working in the human services field since 2011. His services during that time have specialize in working with Intellectual and Developmental disabilities. For the past 6 years, Sam has been developing skills training programs for people with intellectual disabilities. Sam has lead skills groups on self-advocacy, emotional literacy, resume building, job interviews, and political action. Most recently Sam has implemented a social skills group utilizing the popular role-playing game Dungeons and Dragons.

In therapy, Sam utilizes a person-centered approach and combines this approach with Cognitive Behavioral, Existential, and Gestalt techniques, as necessary. Sam operates with patience and believes that all clients are capable of healing if given enough time and the right guidance.

EDUCATION

• Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Iowa State University
• Current Student at Drake University in the Master of Counseling Education program

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES AND MEMBERSHIPS

American Counseling Association 

ABE GOETZ, LMSW

Licensed Social Worker and Therapist

Abe has worked in human services with both parents and children for the last three years.  His services during this time included working in multiple different roles with families involved in the child welfare system. He is down to earth and believes in taking a holistic approach from a family systems perspective in addressing the impacts they have on families. 

In therapy, Abe utilizes approaches from cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and psychoanalysis.  Abe believes in giving the client space to feel heard while also focusing on solutions. 

Education

Bachelor of Science in International Environment and Development Studies from the Norwegian University of Life Science

Master of Social Work, Clinical Concentration from Aurora University

Licensure and Professional Activities

Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)

Board Member and Executive Committee Member of the National Association of Social Workers Iowa Chapter"