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 helping. A therapist is trained to help you work through problems in a non-judgmental, supportive way. Since your counselor isn't involved in your family, social network, or professional circle, he or she can provide a helpful, non-biased perspective on the issues concerning you.

Therapists at this office work with children ages 5 and up, adults of all ages, and couples. Appointments are typically an hour long. Mental health counseling is often covered by health insurance. You should check the benefits of your insurance plan to be sure.

What to expect

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 four full-time therapists on staff. Our Office Manager, Christine Milder, helps keep the office running smoothly so that therapists can focus on their work with clients.

We are proud to have served hundreds of satisfied clients over the years. Clients have shared that they appreciate the warm, friendly office environment we maintain.

Our office is located just off Highway 6 (AKA 2nd Street) in Coralville. We are not far from Coral Ridge Mall.

announcements and news

Therapy during the Coronavirus Pandemic

Our office has temporarily switched over from in-person appointments to teletherapy sessions (video-based therapy) as of 3/20/2020 to protect the health of staff and clients. We are still open for business, however, and we are accepting new clients. As soon as it's safe, we will shift back to working with clients in-person.

While we certainly prefer to see our clients in person, we know that this temporary shift will contribute positively to our community and to the public health crisis we are currently facing.

Insurance plans in Iowa cover teletherapy sessions when both the therapist and client are located in Iowa at the time of the session. Some insurers are even waiving clients' co-pays and co-insurance during the pandemic. Our therapists use a HIPAA-compliant therapy site for teletherapy work with clients. You can read therapist bios (below) to learn about our providers and the various approaches and backgrounds they bring to their therapy work.

Whether you are an existing or new client, contact our Office Manager, Christine, (Christine@newleafic.com) or submit an inquiry (below) to schedule a teletherapy appointment today. We are scheduling new clients within 1 week. We look forward to working with you!

Therapist Backgrounds

Annika Ross, LISW

Annika opened New Leaf Counseling in 2011 after working in community mental health, where she was a school-based therapist and provided outpatient therapy to adults. Prior to becoming a therapist, she worked as a middle and high school teacher.

Annika primarily uses the principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulness in her work. Annika is also trained in EMDR, a therapy that helps people overcome the negative effects of difficult life experiences. She is currently working toward becoming an EMDR-certified therapist. She works with clients of various ages with a wide variety of concerns, but particularly enjoys working with women with anxiety and/or trauma histories.

Annika is scheduling new clients for June 2020 and beyond. Annika works with kids ages 10 and up, adults of all ages, and couples.

Sue Bock, LMHC

Sue joined New Leaf Counseling in early January, 2020, coming to us from Grace C Mae Advocate Center, where she worked as an outpatient therapist. Sue has a wide range of professional experience working with people with physical, mental, emotional, and developmental challenges.

Sue believes all people have the capacity for change and that small steps can lead to significant improvements in our lives. She values diversity, and draws heavily on cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing and person-centered theories in her work with clients. She enjoys working with women age 30 and older, and enjoys working with people who experience anxiety and bipolar disorder. Sue also has experience working with people struggling with substance abuse.

Sue is trained in EMDR and Accelerated Resolution Therapy, two kinds of therapy to help people heal from emotionally difficult experiences. She is also Level I Gottman trained in couples therapy, and is working through Level II training currently.

Sue is scheduling clients for April 2020. She is accepting individual clients ages 13 and up, and couples.

Tara Wilford, LISW

Tara will start seeing new clients in early April 2020 and comes to New Leaf with over nine years of experience in therapy, case management, and advocacy work. She comes to us from 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 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 is scheduling new clients for April 6, 2020 and beyond. She is accepting individual clients ages 12 and up.

Ashley Mills, LISW

Ashley joined New Leaf in March 2019, coming to to us from Meadowlark Psychiatric and Grant Wood Area Education Agency, where she worked as a therapist and social worker.

Ashley has 15 years of experience as a professional social worker. She has worked with children through Grant Wood AEA and Four Oaks. At Meadowlark Psychiatric Services, Ashley worked with adults and children experiencing a variety of concerns. Ashley also worked as a Social Worker at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

Ashley uses the principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy, and play therapy in her work with clients, and believes that a trusting relationship between the therapist and client is at the foundation of successful therapy. While she considers herself a generalist, Ashley has a special interest in working with children ages 5-12, teenagers who are experiencing intense emotional issues or crises, and college students and young adults.

Ashley is not accepting new clients at this time. She works with clients ages 5-35.

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. Typically, couples therapy is not covered by insurance.

We offer some reduced-fee and payment plan services on a case-by-case basis.

New Leaf accepts cash, check, or credit cards.

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, Sue Bock, Ashley MIlls 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.

I like the atmosphere. Ashley's office is welcoming. She asked me questions to get to know me, and had good strategies to encourage me. Ashley has been very helpful.

I am so glad I began visiting Annika. I feel heard and understood. Her "safe" environment has allowed me to feel able to share things I've not told anyone else. I never feel judged. Just totally supported and able to accept her kind, knowledgeable guidance.

Sue is great and very supportive. She shared great tools with me and I feel more prepared to tackle issues that arise.

Everyone is friendly and respectful, and it is clear that you put a lot of care into what you do.

I have been pleased with the counseling services. Billing has been easy. Location is convenient. The place is always clean. Hospitality and service are excellent.

You make clients feel cared for from the second they walk in the door to the second they leave.

You guys are doing wonderful things. Thank you for empowering me to make continually positive choices in my life.

Welcome

New Leaf Counseling