ABOUT US

Like an anchor is to a ship, hope is to the soul.

We have two locations in Cedar Falls. Be sure to check where your counselor is located.

Our goal is to deliver excellent service by providing a safe environment and the support you need. We believe everyone possesses the strength to work through or cope with the challenges they are facing.

We provide counseling services to Cedar Falls, Waterloo and surrounding areas of the Cedar Valley.

Jake Schaefer, LMHC, Owner

Jake is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Iowa. He received his B.A. and M.A. from the University of Northern Iowa, majoring in family services and mental health counseling. Jake has done extensive work with individuals and families and specializes in anxiety, teens, work related stress, stress management, management training, and Christian counseling.

Jake has worked with a wide range of mental health concerns at various locations including the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinic's department of Pediatric Oncology, Allen Hospital's Emergency Mental Health Unit, Grinnell College and the Woodward Academy for at risk teens. He has been in a private mental health practice for several years, has served as an adjunct professor at UNI, and has provided outreach services to employees and community members through churches, businesses and organizations in the local community.

Jake strives to provide a safe space for clients from all backgrounds, ethnicities, and orientations. He works with clients to help them improve their overall quality of life.

Stacey Hurt, LMHC

Stacey is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Iowa. She earned her B.A. from the University of Iowa and her M.A. from the University of Northern Iowa.

Stacey has 15 years of experience in the mental health field working among a variety of communities and populations. She currently provides counseling to individuals 18 years of age and over. She specializes in addressing trauma, as well as treating anxiety and depression. Stacey utilizes her ability to connect with clients from various backgrounds as the basis for her work.

Stacey’s interest in helping clients cope with their experiences of trauma led her to become trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). She has now been an EMDR practitioner for several years. Stacey is happy to explain this process to you and discuss whether you would be a good candidate for this particular intervention.

Steve Dreesman, LMHC

Steve is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Iowa. He earned both his B.A. in psychology with a minor in family studies and his M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Northern Iowa. Steve provides individual counseling to teens and adults. Steve has experience working with anxiety, depression, suicidality, stress, men’s issues, perinatal mental health, and relationship issues.

Steve has worked in the mental health field in various ways for over six years, including a practicum with UNI’s Counseling Center and an internship with Allen Hospital’s Employee Assistance Program. During his time in graduate school, he helped raise over $70,000 as an executive board member for UNI’s Out of the Darkness Walk for Suicide Prevention, in conjunction with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. He has presented original research at national conferences covering topics of suicide assessment as well as the mental health and well-being of the LGBTQ community.

Steve is passionate about helping clients of all backgrounds reach their goals. He uses a collaborative approach to help clients make changes in their lives through increased self-awareness, insight, and using cognitive-behavioral techniques. He works to help clients engage in self-exploration, personal growth and improve their quality of life.

Kayla Reisinger, LMHC

Kayla is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Iowa. She received both her B.S. and M.S. from Upper Iowa University. Kayla provides outpatient therapy services to individuals 18 and older as well as couples. Kayla has training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) as well as education into attachment and trauma.

Kayla’s areas of focus include anxiety, self-esteem and self-worth, attachment, stress management, life transitions, motherhood, women’s issues, pregnancy, prenatal, postpartum, impulse control, codependency, Borderline Personality Disorder, Narcissistic Personality Disorder, family conflict, and self-harm.

Kayla practices several types of therapy to best fit the needs of each client she supports. She strives to provide a safe space for all clients that walk into her office and will allow each client to set the pace for therapy as she sees it as a journey that is unique to each individual.

Josh Carlson, LMHC

Josh is a licensed Mental Health Counselor in Iowa. Josh is a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa for both his B.A. (psychology with a minor in creative writing) and his M.A. in Mental Health Counseling. Josh is a veteran of the United States Army and served on active duty in Iraq during OIF 06-08.

Josh has practiced mental health counseling for over ten years, primarily at Allen’s Employee Assistance Program. Josh currently provides counseling to individuals (13 years+) and couples. Josh’s area of practice and expertise include working with anxiety, depression, trauma, veteran’s issues, ADHD/neurodivergence, work related distress, and marriage and relationship issues.

Josh is passionate about empowering his clients to find their path on their journey toward the best future and outcome for them. He uses a collaborative approach consisting of cognitive, behavioral, and narrative elements with his clients. He sees every client as the expert on themselves and every client has their own unique story to tell. It is important for Josh to provide a safe space to clients of all orientations, backgrounds, creeds, and ethnicities as he believes everyone deserves to grow and feel well.

John Kohagen, LMFT

John Kohagen is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Iowa. He received his MA in
Marriage and Family Therapy from St. Mary’s University in the Twin Cities. He likes to bring creativity and personality into therapy. He believes people have the power to re-write their story and use their pre-existing strengths to overcome the problems in their lives.

John began his career as a therapist performing in-home therapy with a wide variety of clients. He has worked with families, couples, and individuals, beginning in 2010. He has experience working with anxiety, depression, work-related issues, anger management, and family of origin stressors. He brings a narrative approach to therapy and loves to make therapeutic sessions unique for his clients.

John looks forward to working with clients 12 years old or older. He enjoys working with
couples and individual clients. He believes therapy should be a comfortable, engaging, and private space to express yourself. He welcomes people of all backgrounds, ethnicities, and orientations – especially LGBTQIA+ clients.