IMMEDIATE OPENINGS for telehealth! serving clients 10 and up
Welcome
New Leaf Counseling
Counseling & therapy for all ages
Since 2011
Annika Ross, LISW
Sue Bock, LMHC
Tara Wilford, LISW
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 10 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. Sue is doing all visits through telehealth right now.
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?
You're in luck! Sue Bock has openings within 1 week for those clients open to telehealth visits.
We have also hired 2 therapists to join our therapy team around December 2021/January 2022. Our team is working to get them credentialed and to determine their specific start dates. The therapists hired will provide services for both children and adults.
Please call our office if you'd like to be on the wait list. When we know the therapists' exact start dates, we'll give you a call to get you scheduled officially and give you more information about the therapists available.
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 children and adults. Prior to becoming a therapist, she worked as a middle and high school teacher. She taught French and academic support classes.
Annika primarily uses the principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulness in her work, but also draws on Internal Family Systems and uses a trauma-informed approach. Annika is also certified in EMDR, a therapy that helps people overcome the negative effects of difficult life experiences. She works with clients of various ages with a wide variety of concerns, but particularly enjoys working with women with anxiety.
Annika is scheduling new clients for May 2022 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 at this time.
Sue has immediate openings for telehealth only.
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 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 March 2022 and beyond. She is accepting individual clients ages 12 and up.
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
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, 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.
Sue always made sure I was comfortable and always made sure I was advocating for myself. She made me feel like I was actually heard, and actually helped me work through my struggles. By far the best counselor I've ever had!
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.
Employment Openings
Employment Opportunities
We do not have any current openings at this time. Please check back another time. Thank you for your interest in working with New Leaf!