In-person or Telehealth **Scheduling new clients for january 2026 wait list offered
Welcome
New Leaf Counseling
Since 2011
Annika Ross, LISW
Psychotherapist
Licensed Independent Social Worker
Mental Health Counseling
Serving teens and adults
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 has special training to help you work through concerns in a non-judgmental and supportive way, using a variety of approaches. In therapy, you'll learn to manage your mental health more effectively to enjoy a more meaningful, satisfying life.
Since your therapist isn't a part of your family, social network, or professional circle, he or she can provide non-biased feedback on the issues concerning you. The assurance of confidentiality in the client-therapist relationship offers a welcoming space for growth and 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
Annika works with children ages 13 and up, adults of all ages, and a small number of couples. Appointments are typically an hour long. Annika takes a thoughtful, tailored approach to working with each individual client. Currently, she offers both in-person and telehealth (therapy by video) appointments.
At the first appointment, you'll meet with Annika for about an hour. You'll share about the concerns that prompted you to schedule and how they are affecting you. You'll also discuss your background. Soon into the therapy process, Annika 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.
About the Office
New Leaf Counseling opened in downtown Iowa City in 2011 and is now located in Coralville. We are proud of 14 years of service to the Johnson County and surrounding communities.
Clients have shared that they appreciate the warm, friendly office environment that we maintain, and the professional, effective services provided.
Our office is located just off Highway 6 (AKA 2nd Street) in Coralville. We are not far from Coral Ridge Mall, just across 23rd Ave from the new VA Outpatient Clinics.
**Please note that New Leaf Counseling will be moving to 1708 5th St, Suite 105, Coralville as of 7/1/2025. See more below.
TELEHEALTH or IN-PERSON
Telehealth & In-Person Appointments Available
Annika provides services both in-person and by secure video therapy. She provides video-based therapy through Doxy, a HIPAA-compliant website accessible by phone or computer.
Many clients who typically have sessions in-person will use the telehealth format when they are sick but still able to talk.
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.
**Annika's professional license requires 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.***
office location change
New Leaf Counseling will be moving to a new location as of June 30, 2025
We are excited to share that New Leaf Counseling will be moving to a new location as of 6/30/25. This is just about 5 minutes from the current office on 5th Street in Coralville, across from S.T. Morrison Park.
The address is 1708 5th St, Unit 105, Coralville, IA 52241.
There will be a sign for New Leaf Counseling in the window, and clients are welcome to park out front.
Schedule Your Appointment Today
While we are scheduling new clients for January 2026, we maintain a wait list to move clients up whenever possible.
Therapist Approach and Experience
Annika Ross, LISW
Annika has 18 years of experience providing outpatient therapy in school, community mental health, and private practice settings. She previously worked as a secondary teacher, teaching French and At-Risk classes at the middle and high school level and tutoring first-generation college students. After getting a degree in French Language and then Secondary Education, she earned her Master's in Social Work with an Emphasis on Counseling with Individuals, Families, and Groups in 2007. She opened New Leaf Counseling in 2011.
Annika has experience providing school-based therapy services to K-12 students, and outpatient therapy experience working with individuals ages 5-100. She has helped clients with issues including anxiety, work stress, relationship problems, and recovering from traumatic experiences. She adjusts her therapy approach to the needs of each unique client, but generally draws from CBT, ACT, Mindfulness IFS, and EMDR.
Some of Annika's favorite therapy work includes helping clients manage their worries more effectively, develop healthier boundaries, cultivate self-compassion, build confidence and self-acceptance, and improve communication skills for happier relationships. She is also trained in EMDR and has used this since 2016. EMDR therapy is a modality that can help clients heal emotionally from painful life experiences.
Annika sees therapy as a collaborative process wherein clients can explore their histories and present concerns in a safe and supportive space, and work on goals to improve their lives. She connects with a wide variety of people, and she brings a non-judgmental, supportive approach to sessions. She values referral to outside resources to supplement therapy work. She enjoys teaching habits and strategies for optimal mental health management.
Annika is scheduling new clients for October 2025 and beyond. She maintains a wait list to move clients up whenever possible.
Annika works with kids ages 13 and up and adults of all ages. Space is currently limited for couples work.
Client Testimonials
Client Feedback Regarding Services
(posted anonymously to protect privacy)
Annika is beyond wonderful and helps me tremendously. Scheduling appointments is very easy. I can't recommend Annika enough. She listens intently and cares. She always gives great advice and has truly changed my life.
Annika is wonderful. She helped with my anxiety immediately. I am extremely happy with her care.
Annika is empathetic but direct with addressing and understanding her client's needs. She truly cares and it shows in her positive energy and humor, which makes me feel at ease during our sessions. Thank you!
I have experienced exceptional care and support with Annika. Annika is compassionate and creates an environment that makes it easy to open up and she has great insight. Annika truly understands me. I so appreciate being her client!
I have always been pleased with the service, communication, availability and flexibility. Scheduling is easy. Annika has been caring, consistent, supportive and creative. She has been an essential part of my journey. I am so grateful for her care.
I feel like you really listen to my needs, and give me good advice on how to improve. I think everything you guys do is very good and very well-organized. I can't imagine myself somewhere else.
Annika always makes me feel like the only client, and I know she is busy helping others too. If I message or request an appointment, she always finds a way to help me. She never judges me and has created the only completely safe space I've ever had.
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.
New Leaf accepts cash, check, or credit cards. We use Ivy Pay for credit card processing, a HIPAA compliant service.
We accept insurance plans including BCBS, and plans covered under Midland's Choice.
We do not file claims for Medicaid or Medicare.
If we do not accept your insurance, you might consider looking at www.psychologytoday.com. This is a helpful database where you can search for therapists, and filter results based off your insurance plan, among other criteria.
Verifying insurance coverage
If your insurance is listed above and you schedule with our office, we ask that prior to your first appointment, please call the customer service number on your insurance card and ask the following:
- Is Annika Ross, LISW an in-network provider for your insurance plan?
- Do you have a deductible (an amount you have to pay out-of-pocket before your benefits kick in)?
- Do you have to pay a co-payment or co-insurance, and if so, in what amount?
- Is there is a limit to sessions allowed?
forms to complete
Where do I complete intake paperwork?
Once you have your appointment scheduled, you will be sent intake paperwork via Docusign, which you can complete and sign online.
*Please complete intake paperwork 24 hours in advance of the first appointment.
If you are doing an in-person first session and want to complete a hardcopy of paperwork in the office, that's fine too. Just let us know and we'll have it ready for you.
***Please also email to brent@newleafic.com a front and back photo of your insurance card. Thank you!