TELEHEALTH OR IN-PERSON SERVICES JANUARY OPENINGS CALL 319-351-9731

New Leaf Counseling

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 UPDATE

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. Tara and Annika are offering in-person and online appointments. Matt, who is scheduling for January, has availability for in-person or telehealth services.

Office Policies

Clients and staff are currently required to wear masks when in the office. We are practicing social distancing, frequent hand-washing and have increased our cleaning and sanitizing efforts.

We provide masks for clients who do not have one.

We ask that clients wash their hands or use hand sanitizer when they enter the office. We provide hand sanitizer.

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.

Looking for an appointment sooner rather than later?

We have hired Matt Reinert, LISW, who began seeing clients January 3, 2022. Matt previously worked at Four Oaks. He has experience working with children, teens, and adults. Matt is trained in EMDR, a trauma therapy, and he also uses elements of Mindfulness, CBT, Internal Family Systems, and play therapy, in his work. Matt is seeing clients in-person but can provide services via telehealth if requested.

Call Christine, our Office Manager, at 319-351-9731 to schedule with Matt for January!

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 13 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 September 2022 and beyond. Annika works with kids ages 10 and up, adults of all ages, and couples.

Tara Wilford, LISW

Tara joined our practice in April 2020 with over nine years of experience in therapy, case management, and advocacy work. She previously practiced at Rochester Center for Behavioral Medicine in Michigan where she worked as a therapist.

Tara has worked in a variety of professional settings, and currently works with adolescents and adults. She has a special interest in working with athletes. She takes a collaborative approach to therapy work and enjoys helping clients develop positive coping skills and healthy ways of thinking.

Tara uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy, and aspects of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy in her work. When appropriate, she incorporates her experience as a collegiate athlete and her lifelong interest in fitness into her work.

Tara has openings for new clients in May 2022 and beyond. She is accepting individual clients ages 12 and up.

Matt Reinert, LISW

Matt is joining New Leaf Counseling in early 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 February and beyond. He is accepting clients ages 8 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.

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!

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.

Intake Paperwork

Once you have your appointment scheduled, you can download, complete, and electronically sign our intake paperwork. It is available below as an editable PDF form. You should be able to complete it electronically as long as you have Adobe Acrobat Reader downloaded. You can download Adobe Acrobat Reader at https://get.adobe.com/reader/.

You can email the completed and signed paperwork to our Office Manager, Christine, at christine@newleafic.com. Please also attach a front and back photo of your insurance card. Thank you!

Paperwork must be completed before the first appointment, preferably 24 hours in advance wherever possible. This allows the therapist time to review the paperwork ahead of time. Thank you!