April 2023 openings In-person or Telehealth Welcoming New Clients CALL 319-351-9731
Welcome to New Leaf Counseling!
What is Therapy?
People come to therapy when their typical ways of solving problems and coping with stress are not working anymore. A therapist is trained to help you work through problems in a non-judgmental, supportive way. Our therapists are trained in a variety of therapy approaches. We tailor our services to each client's needs.
Since your therapist isn't a part of your family, social network, or professional circle, he or she can provide a helpful, non-biased perspective on the issues concerning you. The assurance of confidentiality in the client-therapist relationship offers a welcoming space for meaningful change.
Mental health counseling is often covered by health insurance. You can call the customer service number on your insurance card to find out about your plan's coverage for therapy.
What to expect
Therapists at this office work with children ages 8 and up, adults of all ages, and couples. Appointments are typically an hour long. Our therapists take a thoughtful, tailored approach to working with each individual client. Currently, we offer a combination of in-person and telehealth (therapy by video or phone) appointments.
At the first appointment, you'll meet with a therapist for about an hour. You'll share about the concerns that prompted you to schedule and how they are affecting you. Soon into the therapy process, your therapist will help you set goals.
Appointments, which can be scheduled anywhere from weekly to as-needed, will involve collaborative work between you and your therapist on those goals. Goals might include developing coping skills, improving family relationships, healing emotionally from a painful experience, etc.
Our Office
New Leaf Counseling opened as a solo practice in downtown Iowa City in 2011. Since then, we've moved locations and we've grown. We now have three full-time therapists on staff. Our Office Manager, Christine Awe, helps keep the office running smoothly so that therapists can focus on their work with clients.
We are proud of the services we have provided to the Iowa City and Coralville community over the past decade. Clients have shared that they appreciate the warm, friendly office environment that we maintain, and the professional, effective services we provide.
Our office is located just off Highway 6 (AKA 2nd Street) in Coralville. We are not far from Coral Ridge Mall.
COVID-19 INFORMATION
Telehealth & In-Person Appointments Available
In mid-March 2020, our office switched to teletherapy or telehealth (video or phone-based therapy) to keep our community safe. We provide video-based therapy through Doxy, a HIPAA-compliant website accessible by phone or computer.
Currently, our therapy team is providing services both in-person and by secure video therapy. All therapists offer both in-person and telehealth appointments.
Office Policies
March 2022 update: Clients and staff are welcome to wear masks in public/common spaces at New Leaf Counseling. Mask-wearing is currently optional at our office. If you would like your therapist to wear a mask, just let us know. We have masks available for those who would like one.
Telehealth and insurance
Many insurance companies cover both in-person and telehealth appointments. Since every plan is different, please call the phone number on your insurance card to learn about your plan's unique benefits.
Our professional licenses require that for telehealth appointments, both the therapist and the client need to be in Iowa when the session takes place. The client also needs to be in a confidential space.
Therapist Backgrounds
Annika Ross, LISW
Annika is the owner of New Leaf Counseling. She works with adults of all ages and children ages 10 and up, as well a small number of couples. She has 15 years of experience doing outpatient therapy in school, community mental health, and private practice settings. Annika previously worked as a secondary teacher. She has helped clients with a wide range of concerns from anxiety, work issues and relationship problems to traumatic stress. She adjusts her therapy approach to the needs of each unique client, but generally draws from CBT, Mindfulness, and EMDR.
Some of Annika's favorite therapy work includes helping clients manage their worries more effectively, develop healthier boundaries, build confidence and self-acceptance, and improve communication skills for happier relationships. Annika also an EMDR-certified therapist. EMDR therapy can help clients heal emotionally from painful life experiences.
Annika sees therapy as a collaborative process. She connects with a wide variety of people, and she brings a non-judgmental, supportive approach to sessions. She enjoys teaching skills and strategies for optimal mental health management.
Annika is scheduling new clients for August 2023 and beyond. Annika works with kids ages 13 and up, adults of all ages, and couples.
Matt Reinert, LISW
Matt joined New Leaf Counseling in January 2022, and he comes to us from Four Oaks. Matt has experience as an individual and family therapist, Behavioral Health Specialist, and Youth Development Associate. He works with children and adults.
Matt particularly enjoys working with pre-teens, teens, and young adults, but he connects well with individuals of all ages struggling with a wide variety of concerns including mood problems, anxiety, ADHD, adoption and attachment issues, trauma, family conflict, impulsivity, self-harming and suicidal ideation.
Matt uses Internal Family Systems, CBT, Mindfulness, play therapy, and sand tray techniques in his approach to therapy work. He is also EMDR-trained.
Matt is now scheduling new clients for April 2023 and beyond. He is accepting clients ages 13 and up.
christine awe, new leaf office manager
Christine joined us in 2017 shortly after graduating from University of Northern Iowa, and we are so glad she did. Christine helps keep things running smoothly at New Leaf, and does a variety of administrative work that makes all the therapists' jobs easier and supports the business needs. Christine frees up time for therapists to focus on therapy work, and she is the friendly face at the front desk, offering beverages to client and scheduling support.
Christine is available to for questions about scheduling, billing, claims issues, releases of information, and new client referrals. She can be reached at Christine@newleafic.com or by phone at 319-351-9731.
Insurance and Payment
How do I pay for therapy?
Many insurance plans cover counseling, but you should call your insurance provider to get information about your unique plan. New Leaf Counseling can file claims for many insurance plans, or you can pay for services out-of-pocket.
We offer some reduced-fee and payment plan services on a case-by-case basis.
New Leaf accepts cash, check, or credit cards. If you choose to pay by cash, you have a right to a Good Faith Estimate of Services under the No Surprises Act.
Insurance plans we accept: BCBS, Aetna, plans covered under Midland's Choice, Mercy PHO, United Healthcare
How do I know if my insurance will pay?
Every insurance plan is different. If you want to know what your health insurance benefits are for counseling, call the customer service number on your insurance card and ask the following:
- If Annika Ross, Matt Reinert, or Tara Wilford (depending on whom you'd like to see) is in-network for your plan
- Whether pre-certification is required
- Whether you have a deductible
- If you have to pay a co-payment or co-insurance, and if so, what that amount is
- If there is a limit to sessions allowed
Client Testimonials
Client Reviews
Satisfied clients have offered their feedback on the services they have received at New Leaf Counseling. Reviews are posted anonymously to protect confidentiality.
Annika has a natural, friendly, easygoing presence about her that makes it so easy to open up and talk to her. I never felt judged. I appreciated her honesty. She is also incredibly patient and knows slip ups happen and sometimes it takes a few failures before some thing clicks and change starts happening.
I think Tara is the most special and incredible therapist there is anywhere. She is super kind, genuine, supportive and is never short on good advice, tips, tricks and techniques that help me navigate so many issues and difficult circumstances in life. She makes me feel so comfortable and because of her affect, I really am able to be honest with her and myself to work on issues in a healthy and productive way. She is simply the best!
Matt is the best therapist I've ever had. I was extremely hesitant to start EMDR, but he does an excellent job at making me feel comfortable and breaking everything down so it's not so overwhelming.
Christine (Office Manager) is great, super helpful and accommodating when answering questions and scheduling appointments.
You make clients feel cared for from the second they walk in the door to the second they leave.
New Leaf Counseling does a phenomenal job of communicating updates and is always so responsive to messages to return a call, follow-up, or reschedule an appointment. Everyone is so thoughtful and genuine. It makes going to mental health appointments comfortable, familiar, and safe.
Everyone is friendly and respectful, and it is clear that you put a lot of care into what you do.
Employment Openings
Employment Opportunities
We are not currently hiring.