You Need a Counselor Podcast

This week Julie and Chrissa are joined by Heart and Solutions Clinical Director Heather Weaver, LMHC. Heather has worked in the mental health field since 2016, having worked in a range of settings, including residential, intensive outpatient, in-home, and outpatient clinics. She has experience working with adolescents, children as young as 2, adults, couples, and families in both voluntary and cou...

This week Julie and Chrissa are joined by Marta Payne (psssst, that’s me, yeah, the one writing these show notes). Marta is the editor of the You Need a Counselor Podcast and a visual storyteller based in St. Louis, Missouri. In this episode we discuss Marta’s journey through mediocre high school and college counseling experiences to where she is now: a trusting, safe and intentional counseling ex...

This week Julie and Chrissa are joined by Brittany Weidman, a Heart and Solutions BHIS Counselor and Supervisor. Brittany graduated from Winona State University in 2015 with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, as well as a minor in Coaching. During her educational and professional paths, she has been staffed by National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), in the public school system where she worke...

This week Julie and Chrissa are joined by Soraya Villela, a Heart and Solutions BHIS Counselor and Supervisor for Mason City, Ankeny and Ames.  While working toward her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Buena Vista University Soraya studied abroad in the Dominican Republic where she had the opportunity to work with Niños del Camino, Kids of the Street. Soraya believes that all individuals des...

This week Julie and Chrissa are joined by Andee Thompson. In this episode Andee shares about her poor counseling experience and reflects on her childhood experience of traveling with her family to provide conversion therapy and the hurt that caused. To start mental or behavioral health services in Iowa call Heart and Solutions at (800) 531-4236. Connect with Heart and Solutions online at: Spotify:...

This week Julie and Chrissa are joined by Jarrod Connor, a Heart and Solutions BHIS counselor based in Davenport. Jarrod is a graduate of Upper Iowa University with a Bachelor of Science in Human Services. He is a passionate advocate for mental and emotional health, with experience working with K-12 children. Jarrod loves spending time with his wife and two daughters. He enjoys writing poetry, ser...

Joining the podcast this week is JP Taxman, founder of Reliefkey and host of the Total Home Experience Podcast. JP is a personal home organizer that works with clients to create custom solutions that fit perfectly to their needs. His background is in user experience design and graphic design. UX design is all about using human-centered design to make things intuitive and easy to use for people usi...

On the podcast with Julie and Chrissa this week is Meredith Brough, sleep coach and owner of Sweet Slumber. Meredith works alongside parents, infants and young children who have sleep struggles, as well as expectant parents. Through her passion for mentoring mothers and supporting little children, she created the Successful Sleep system, programs, and non-crying methods. Meredith offers 1:1 coachi...

Joining Julie and Chrissa this week is Melissa Rohlfs, certified holistic health and life coach and founder of Free 2 B Coaching. Melissa works with clients to be calm, confident and in control around food and sugar, in stressful situations, in their bodies and in their lives. She is committed to empowering women to break free from dieting, emotional eating and self-image issues so they can ditch...

Returning to the show this week is Erin Thiemann, tLMHC currently practicing in Hiawatha, Iowa at Murray, Wilson and Rose Counseling and Behavioral Services. Erin enjoys working with new or expectant parents as they navigate the transitions surrounding the perinatal period. She has participated in additional training to support parents in finding balance, feeling grounded, being present, and re-es...

Joining Julie and Chrissa this week is Emily Gabelman, a Chicago-based therapist and co-host of the Just Mental Health Podcast. On their podcast, Emily and her co-host Stephanie discuss mental health through the lens of social justice, bringing on a variety of guests that can speak to specific issues. Connect with Emily online at: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/just.mental.health.podcast Spo...

Sharing his experience on the podcast today is former Army combat spy and host of the Break it Down Show, Pete A Turner. While working through suicidal ideation, depression and PTSD Pete has tried a variety of counseling styles and services, all while learning to navigate the VA system. Connect with Pete online at: Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzpPhHDkj4ZsuLX6JWJTx9w Web: https://www....

Joining Julie and Chrissa today is Danielle Ballard-Green, a former Heart and Solutions BHIS counselor, and current LSW and licensed substance abuse counselor. She is the Director of the Drake Student Counseling Center and also sees clients through her private practice, Moonstone Counseling PLLC. Danielle specializes in trauma, depression, adjustment, anxiety and grief. She is trained in EMDR and...

Joining the podcast today is Tom Stepkoski, a self proclaimed multipotentialite who by the age of 32 had been a certified teacher, certified school counselor, PTR certified tennis pro, Connecticut certified coach of sports, theater producer, disc jockey, musical theater director and amateur playwright. He was running his own theater company and was writing and recording music and music videos righ...

Today we are joined by Shannon Kay McCoy, a biblical counselor, speaker and the author based in Southern California. Shannon is the author of Help! I’m a Slave to Food, a contributing author to Women Counseling Women, and blog contributor for the Biblical Counseling Coalition and Institute of Biblical Counseling and Discipleship. Connect with Shannon online at: Web: https://www.shannonkaymccoy.com...

On the show this week is the Diva with Depression, Donna Hairston. Donna has lived most of her life with depression and faced her most seve breakdown in 2005. She views these life experiences as opportunities to help others realize that they are not alone. You can hear more from Donna on her blog, Diva with Depression, or her podcast, Behind the Mask. Connect with Donna online at: Blog: https://di...

Joining Julie and Chrissa this week is Cindy Cooper, our friendly admin at Heart and Solutions, and her husband Greg. The two have been married for five years, and through that time have faced many trials, which have ultimately drawn them closer. Join us this week as we hear about Greg’s 33 years of sobriety, the trials the two have faced together, and where they are at now. To start counseling wi...

Joining Julie and Chrissa this week is Dr Barbara Harre from the Child Protection Response Center in Davenport, Iowa. During the 1970’s, the Quad City community recognized a lack of access to medical services related to child abuse assessments. Despite the fact that the Quad Cities had 39 pediatricians, physically and/or sexually abused children were being sent an hour and a half away to Cedar Rap...

Joining Julie and Chrissa this week is Erin Kay, LMSW and Certified Biblical Health Coach. After experiencing several back-to-back traumas in 2016, Erin experienced a significant weight gain and became disconnected to her purpose as a daughter of God. Since then, she has lost seventy pounds and become deeply rooted in her purpose, out of which she started her company, Rooted Health, LLC and became...

Joining Julie and Chrissa this week is Dr. Renee Exelbert, licensed psychologist and  the Founding Director of  the Metamorphosis Center for Psychological and Physical Change in Manhasset and Nyack, New York. In her work she integrates psychotherapy and exercise, with a focus on the mind/body connection. Her debut memoir, Chemo Muscles, chronicles her two-time battle with breast cancer a...

Joining the podcast this week is Jenn Whitmer, a speaker, writer and coach.  On a daily basis, Jenn helps teams and leaders solve conflict and personality clashes. Through working with Jenn, people improve communication, work through conflict, and build self-awareness with the Enneagram. She asks big questions that lead to big dreams and big ideas and big living. Mentioned in this episode: Sl...

Joining the podcast this week is Tenesha Gatson, a fierce mental health advocate, healthcare administrative professional, mother, grandmother and member of the Heart and Solutions compliance board. Listen in to hear Tenesha’s story of resilience and not backing down to the challenges that have come up against her. To start counseling with a mental health professional in Iowa call Heart and Solutio...

Julie and Chrissa are joined this week by Kayla O'Leary, Co-Founder and CMO of Budz Butter in Wisconsin, a family-owned, small batch manufacturer specializing in hemp-derived CBD infused products. In this episode we learn about CBD vs THC, marijuana vs hemp, why someone might try CBD for mental or physical health management, and so much more. Connect with Kayla online at: Facebook: https://www.fac...

This week on the podcast Julie and Chrissa are joined by Sue Brooks, the Director of the Integrated Health Home, IHH, at Four Oaks. In this episode we discuss the importance of local mental health support, the services that IHH provides, and who might benefit from them. Connect with the Integrated Health Home at: 319-784-2250 sbrooks@fouroaks.org https://www.fouroaks.org/families/services-programs...

Joining Julie and Chrissa this week is Erin Foster. Previously, Erin was the Director of Prevention at the Area Substance Abuse Council for Linn, Benton and Jones counties. In 2019 she began her current role as Director of the Mental Health Access Center in Linn County. The Access Center is a voluntary, walk-in, crisis care facility for anyone experiencing a mental health or substance use disorder...