Therapists in Iowa

Meet Mike Arieta, LICSW Hello and welcome. I’m Mike Arieta, a licensed clinical social worker with nearly three decades of experience supporting individuals, couples, families, and teens through life’s most complex challenges. Since 1995, I’ve worked across diverse settings—from foster care and homelessness to adoption and refugee support—and have been practicing clinically since 2011. My therapeutic approach is body-based and trauma-informed. I believe our bodies often speak before our minds can make sense of what we’re feeling. This philosophy guides my work with clients navigating trauma, PTSD, and transitions that require deep emotional resilience. I integrate movement-based and somatic strategies to help clients reconnect with themselves and their communities. Currently, I’m completing my Doctor of Social Work degree at Tulane University, where my research focuses on trauma recovery and evidence-informed practices that foster healing. I also hold advanced training in adoption competence and provide support to foster youth, adoptive families, and caregivers navigating complex systems. Therapy, for me, is a collaborative journey. I’m honored to walk alongside my clients as they reclaim their stories, build strength, and move toward meaningful change. Thank you for taking the time to learn more about my work—I look forward to connecting with you.

I am a Clinical Social Worker that focuses on helping people who are experiencing anxiety or depression. I have been in this field for more than 10 years and love watching people I work with feel like they have control over their lives again. I believe that the body and brain hold onto experiences after certain events and might get hung up or even stuck. In my assessments, I determine how these impacts can reveal themselves in our behaviors and the decisions that we make every day. I work to help identify where the mind and body have gotten hung up and I use an eclectic “whole person” approach to unraveling these barrier areas in life.

I’m a therapist dedicated to helping individuals and couples navigate life’s challenges and build more meaningful connections. I work with adults facing anxiety, depression, relationship struggles, life transitions, and self-esteem concerns, as well as couples seeking to improve communication and strengthen their bond. My goal is to create a safe and supportive space where you can better understand yourself, develop new tools, and move toward the life and relationships you truly want. Together, we can work toward healing, growth, and lasting change.

Hi, I’m Emy Carlson. I’m a licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and Integrative Health Therapist practicing in South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Washington, and Oregon (MS, LPC-MH, LPCC, LPC, NCC, CCTP, QMHP). I’m also a Board-Approved Supervisor in South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa. I specialize in working with adults and couples navigating anxiety, trauma, relationship challenges, and life transitions. My approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in evidence-based practices such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), trauma-informed care, and motivational interviewing. I integrate whole-person strategies that support mental, emotional, and physical well-being. I believe therapy should feel safe, empowering, and purposeful—a space where you can heal, grow, and reconnect with your authentic self.

I am an experienced Therapist with Specialty focus in the areas of: Relationships, Attachment, Self-esteem/Self-love and Trauma informed care. I use a Psychodynamic foundation combined with other treatment modalities such Emotionally focused, Cognitive behavioral, Attachment and Person focused techniques to help people dig deep into the root causes of their symptoms in order to create long lasting and sustainable healing. I have over 10 years of experience in Behavioral Health after graduating with honors from Wayne State University. Therapy does not have to be scary, it is a journey that we can take together, step by step, one day at a time. I applaud you for taking the first step towards your healing!

As a licensed clinical social worker, I am committed to collecting evidenced based "tools for my toolbox" to aid those grappling with finding the new normal after their world has shifted. I most love helping people find language to describe their losses, often when there has been difficulty finding the words, inspiring people to find hope again, and facilitate the development of a plan to move forward in a way that both honors their experiences and embraces the future. I take an action-oriented, collaborative approach to therapy. I utilize a combination of psycho education, storytelling, and evidenced-based interventions to offer meaningful insight to support clients’ healing. I strongly believe that rock bottom is the foundation upon which we can rebuild our lives. We do regular check-ins to review progress along the way. Our goal is not to change the past, but instead to find some relief from symptoms that impact daily functioning. I will solicit feedback regularly during sessions for takeaways to gauge progress and curate treatment interventions based on what is most engaging and productive for the individual client.

Creating a space where you can find what works best for you in your journey. Focusing on strengths helps individuals recognize their own resilience and capabilities, which is vital for growth. By tailoring my approach to each person's unique situation, I honor their individuality and foster a deeper sense of self-understanding and agency. People often thrive when they feel heard and supported in a way that aligns with their own needs and goals, rather than being pushed into a redefined mold.

I am a husband of 14 years, a father of a 11 y/o neurodivergent son and a 7 y/o precocious daughter, a veteran of the US Navy with 12 years served, including 1 deployment, and a geek. I am what the Japanese culture describes as an otaku, in that I work to support my passions. In my free time I enjoy video games (mostly on Nintendo Switch), movies (all kinds, although my favorite is the 2005 animated Transformers movie), books (current favorite author is Brandon Sanderson), and spending time with my family.

Hi there, my name’s Ephraim Tokar. I'm a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with 20+ years of experience. My specialties consist of relationships, men’s issues, career counseling, and psychosomatic illnesses. I received my Bachelors degree in Child Psychology, working initially with the adolescent population before transitioning over to adults. I then received my Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy. Whether it's individuals or couples, I'm happy to get to work with whomever comes my way. I do my best to facilitate a warm, trusting environment. Looking forward to meeting with you soon!