Shelly Stewart-Sandusky is the president and founder of SS Therapy and Consulting, Ltd. She is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with an M.S. from Iowa State University in Human Development and Family Studies with a specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy. Shelly provides therapy to couples and individuals struggling with couples related issues such as infidelity, sexual addiction, communication, co-parenting and personality disorders. Shelly is a direct and goal-focused therapist that uses multiple therapeutic approaches. She is extensively trained in personality disorders and thrives on working with that population in an individual and couples context.
Shelly is available in the Merle Hay office.
Shelly is available in the Merle Hay office.
Anne is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) who works with individuals, couples and families who are struggling to manage life circumstances. She provides a non-judgmental, safe and supportive environment that offers guidance to help meet your goals through open and honest conversation. She works with children, adolescents and adults within an individual, couple and/or family setting to empower self-growth, healing, improvement of relationships and the reduction of emotional suffering while addressing areas of concern including: anxiety, depression, addictions and compulsions, relationships, trauma, adjustment to change/life transitions, self-esteem, grief and loss, and stress management.
Anne has a M.S. from the University of Nebraska- Lincoln in Child, Youth and Family Studies with a specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy and a Post-Degree Certification in Medical Family Therapy.
Anne works with individuals/couples who are dealing with relationship issues and emotional conflicts. From couples wanting a better connection, to those trying to overcome infidelity and other relationship wounds, I help by utilizing couples therapy approaches that focus on increasing emotional connection and intimacy, communication, and rebuilding trust.
Anne is available in the Ankeny office.
Anne has a M.S. from the University of Nebraska- Lincoln in Child, Youth and Family Studies with a specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy and a Post-Degree Certification in Medical Family Therapy.
Anne works with individuals/couples who are dealing with relationship issues and emotional conflicts. From couples wanting a better connection, to those trying to overcome infidelity and other relationship wounds, I help by utilizing couples therapy approaches that focus on increasing emotional connection and intimacy, communication, and rebuilding trust.
Anne is available in the Ankeny office.
Amanda Ackerman is a licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC). Amanda is certified in EMDR and working towards EMDRIA certification. Amanda enjoys providing therapy to individuals and families. Amanda encourages my clients to be comfortable, open, and honest. Amanda works with clients focusing on anxiety, depression, delinquent defiant behavior, conduct concerns, school or work issues, trauma, relationships, stress management, substance issues, or self-esteem.
Amanda is available in the Merle Hay office.
Paul is a Licensed Individual Social Worker who works with teens, adults, and families. Paul enjoys working both with adults going through difficult times as well as quiet/shy teenagers who have difficulty opening up to others. Paul believes in matching his therapy style to the goals and the pace that you feel comfortable with. Paul strives to make therapy a positive experience in which you feel heard, understood, and appreciated. Paul has extensive experience working with teenagers, adults, and families who are dealing with difficult transitions, prior traumatic events, or individuals who have been involved with outside systems like Juvenile Court or the Department of Human Services. Paul works out of our Ankeny office Monday through Friday with evening times available. Paul's goal is to be the type of therapist that you brag about and recommend to your friends and family.
Paul is available in the Ankeny office.
Paul is available in the Ankeny office.
Tiffany is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC). She enjoys providing therapy to individuals and families. She provides a safe supportive environment and encourage her clients to be comfortable, open, and honest. Together, in a casual and comfortable environment, Tiffany and her clients identify and approach life's challenges because only together are we able to make life-changing decisions. She has experience working with anxiety, depression, delinquent defiant behavior, conduct concerns, school or work issues, trauma, relationships, stress management, substance issues, and self-esteem.
Tiffany has obtained training and is working toward certification in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) which enhances work with adverse life experiences to address how negative belief systems impact present functioning. Through EMDR these systems can be rewired to allow for room to grow and heal.
Tiffany holds an M.S. in Counseling from Drake University. She is a National Certified Counselor.
Tiffany is available in the Merle Hay office
Tiffany has obtained training and is working toward certification in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) which enhances work with adverse life experiences to address how negative belief systems impact present functioning. Through EMDR these systems can be rewired to allow for room to grow and heal.
Tiffany holds an M.S. in Counseling from Drake University. She is a National Certified Counselor.
Tiffany is available in the Merle Hay office
Janet is a temp-licensed mental health counselor (T-LMHC). Her areas of skill in mental health services deal with couples, families and individuals of all ages. More specific areas of interest are parenting issues such as bonding, attachment, ADHD and school issues, relationship boundaries, blended family, infertility and miscarriage issues, adoption family issues, marital struggles, pre-marital, divorce, anxiety, depression, bipolar, life transitions, grief, addictions, trauma, abuse (emotional, physical, and sexual), personality disorders and chronic pain issues. She also has a theology degree and is a certified spiritual director, so she is able to incorporate into therapy as much or as little spiritual work as desired by clients. Janet understands the challenges people can face within their faith and spiritual path.
Her style is helping clients find their strengths, and is person centered. Her techniques are play therapy with children through preteens, listening to client’s narrative life story to see what might be causing stress and mental illness, journaling, biblio therapy/given books and articles to read, creating a family tree to understand family and parenting dynamics, changing cognitive self-thoughts, practicing new ways of communicating to spouse or family members during sessions, and leave with homework to do between therapy sessions.
Janet is full time in the Merle Hay office and sees people Monday - Friday from 7am - 7pm and Saturday from 10am-4pm.
Her style is helping clients find their strengths, and is person centered. Her techniques are play therapy with children through preteens, listening to client’s narrative life story to see what might be causing stress and mental illness, journaling, biblio therapy/given books and articles to read, creating a family tree to understand family and parenting dynamics, changing cognitive self-thoughts, practicing new ways of communicating to spouse or family members during sessions, and leave with homework to do between therapy sessions.
Janet is full time in the Merle Hay office and sees people Monday - Friday from 7am - 7pm and Saturday from 10am-4pm.
Sarah is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), who works with teens, adults and seniors. She has experience working with people struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, PTSD, relationship concerns, LGBTQ related issues, as well as mood, personality and adjustment disorders. She also has experience working with people dealing with end of life issues and grief. She believes in meeting clients where they are in therapy and using an empathetic and compassionate approach. Sarah's goal is to build a solid, trusting relationship with people by creating a safe, non-judgmental space.
Sarah enjoys working with people using a person-centered, strength-based approach. She utilizes a diverse approach to therapy employing cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), solution-focused therapy, and narrative therapy. Sarah is sensitive to how a range of experiences over a lifetime may relate to a person's current behavior. Sarah believes people are capable of overcoming adversity in life by using the strengths and skills they already possess, but may not realize they have.
Sarah is available in the Ankeny office.
Sarah enjoys working with people using a person-centered, strength-based approach. She utilizes a diverse approach to therapy employing cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), solution-focused therapy, and narrative therapy. Sarah is sensitive to how a range of experiences over a lifetime may relate to a person's current behavior. Sarah believes people are capable of overcoming adversity in life by using the strengths and skills they already possess, but may not realize they have.
Sarah is available in the Ankeny office.
Sheryl is a licensed independent social worker who works with teens, adults and seniors. She has two decades experience working with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, school/work related challenges, LGBTQ issues and disability concerns. She has experience working with grief and loss as well as life transitions. Sheryl believes therapy can be a catalyst for positive change. She empowers and strengthens her clients’ ability to identify and address their goals. Sheryl uses a client-centered, interpersonal, emotion-focused approach as the theoretical foundation of her practice. She uses skills in CBT, ACT, mindfulness and motivational interviewing to help her clients improve their emotional health and well-being. Sheryl received her MSW from the University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign. She also holds a MS in Kinesiology from Illinois State University.
Sheryl is available in the Ankeny office.
Sheryl is available in the Ankeny office.
Monica is an intern with SS Therapy and Consulting in the Merle Hay office. She is currently a student at Walden University. Monica has a Phd and Masters in mental health related fields and is working to achieve the necessary contact hours for Iowa licensure. Monica takes a client centered approach to therapy and enjoys working with children, teens, adults and couples. She has experience in inpatient settings for juvenile's and is currently helping to faciliate STEPPS groups. Monica is currently able to offer free therapy services under direct supervision of Shelly Stewart-Sandusky.
Monica is available in the Merle Hay office.
Monica is available in the Merle Hay office.
Ariel is an intern with SS Therapy and Consulting and is currently a student at Bellevue University. Ariel has a Bachelor’s degree in psychology and is working to achieve her hours towards her Master’s degree in clinical counseling. Ariel enjoys working with teens and thrives to work with the military service members and the veteran community. She is a U.S. Marine Veteran herself. She wants to specialize within trauma therapy as a specialty, however, she enjoys using theories such as cognitive behavioral to help challenge negative beliefs along with a person-centered approach. She believes that the therapeutic process is a collaborative journey where therapist and client work together to achieve the client’s goals. Ariel is currently able to offer free therapy services under direct supervision of Shelly Stewart-Sandusky.
Ariel is available in the Merle Hay office. Ariel’s direct email address is meaney@sstherapyandconsulting.com
Ariel is available in the Merle Hay office. Ariel’s direct email address is meaney@sstherapyandconsulting.com
Lance is an intern with SS Therapy and Consulting, he is currently pursuing a master’s in social work and disaster resilience leadership, with interests in addressing collective trauma. Lance holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Iowa and is also a certified Yoga instructor. He is passionate about meeting clients wherever they are in life’s journey. He takes a strength’s based holistic approach to mental health, and enjoys incorporating mindfulness, meditation, and yoga, when these approaches serve your expressed goals. He believes therapy should be a collaborative and engaging process which is empowering. Lance has experience working in youth development, and years helping individuals and families recover from the results of natural disasters in a variety of settings. Lance is currently able to offer free therapy services under direct supervision of Paul Guerdet.
Lance is available in the Ankeny office. Lance’s direct e-mail is andersen@sstherapyandconsulting.com.
Lance is available in the Ankeny office. Lance’s direct e-mail is andersen@sstherapyandconsulting.com.
Emily Murphy, MS, LMHC of Murphy Counseling shares office space with SS Therapy and Consulting, Ltd in the Merle Hay office. Emily's passion is working with children, young adults and their families in dealing with a wide array of issues including depression, anxiety, anger management, trauma, self-esteem, grief, divorce, parenting concerns, and family conflict. Emily believes that the therapeutic process is a collaborative journey that involves the entire family. As a therapist it is a privilege to witness this journey and to offer compassion, validation, support, and education along the way. Emily utilizes a wide variety of approaches, including play therapy, when working with clients so that each client gets exactly what they need. Emily's webpage for Murphy Counseling is www.murphycts.com. Emily's direct email address is emily@murphycts.com.
Andrea Gustafson, LISW, of JMG Therapy shares an office with SS Therapy and Consulting, Ltd in the Merle Hay office. Andrea enjoys working with teenagers and adults who are facing anxiety, depression or grief. Andrea takes a client centered approach to therapy and works to help clients feel empowered through the therapy process. Andrea's webpage for JMG therapy is www.JMGTherapy.com. Andrea's direct email address is andrea@jmgtherapy.com.
Timothy is the administrative manager for SS Therapy and Consulting. He is primarily in the Merle Hay office location. Timothy is responsible for most administrative activities for the company including billing and insurance, lease details, scheduling, client paperwork, insurance credentialing and greeting clients in the Merle Hay office. Timothy is available to answer billing, insurance and scheduling questions between 9am and 5pm Monday thru Friday. He can be reached at admin@sstherapyandconsulting.com or 515-528-8135.