Our Therapy Team

My name is Amy Halls and I am the owner/operator of Thrive Counseling Center and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). I believe that everyone experiences pain and distress in their life, and there are times when you need someone to walk beside you and help you through that journey. I want each client to have a safe, non-judgmental and understanding environment to explore stressors, relationships, and life transitions. My true passion in life is helping others.

I attended the University of Iowa for my undergrad (Go Hawks!) and graduated from Liberty University with my Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy. My expertise is in working with individuals, couples, and families on several different issues including anxiety, depression, childhood trauma, traumatic experiences, emotional dysregulation, marriage struggles, family struggles, affairs, blended family struggles, parenting challenges, relationship distress, boundaries, assertiveness, relationship with food, bariatric surgery, body image, and self-worth.
 

I am a certified Prepare/Enrich administrator for pre-marital and marital counseling. I have completed Level Two of the Gottman Method of Therapy for Couples. I work with couples on managing conflict, deepening their intimacy, healing past hurts and betrayals, and opening up dialogue surrounding gridlocked issues.  I am also trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing) and Transforming Touch® and Transforming Intentional Touch®.
 

I use a very collaborative approach by listening to my clients, establishing their goals, and then providing insight, wisdom, techniques and skills to help them overcome and move through their difficulties. I use humor and energy to help balance out the heaviness of life's challenges when appropriate. I approach my clients with warmth, compassion, and empathy to help them feel comfortable as they open up about difficult topics. I use several different treatment styles depending on the individual needs of each client, but the foundation of my approach is derived from a Cognitive approach and EMDR.      

I enjoy spending time with my husband and daughters, cooking, being outdoors, camping, and connected to nature, Crossfit and playing/watching sports. 

I look forward to working with you and helping you live the balanced life that you desire!

Amy accepts BCBS and Private Pay

NPI: 1689030496

E-mail Amy@thriveccankeny.com 

"In our lives, we have seasons of giving and seasons of receiving" 

- Birdie Gunyon Meyer

My name is Jordan Woolman and I am a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW). I strive to help others feel empowered and to be able to cope with their mental health and life in general. We will work together so that you can begin to heal, learn how to keep growing and improving yourself and work towards your goals. Everyone needs additional support at times in their lives that is neutral, non-judgmental and unbiased to help get through life's trials & tribulations. My goal is to meet you where you are at and be a support to you.

I attended the University of Northern Iowa for my undergrad in Psychology and Family Studies. I then pursued my master’s degree in social work with an emphasis in mental health from the University of Southern California. I have been practicing since September 2015. I have been working in the mental health and human services field since 2011; providing BHIS, substance abuse, and outpatient mental health therapeutic services to adults, children, adolescents, couples, and families. 

My passion is primarily working with adults. I am certified in perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (this includes all partners through the perinatal period, not just women/mothers) which starts pre-conception through pregnancy and beyond. I am also trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing) Therapy. I utilize a variety of therapeutic techniques including: CBT, EMDR, solution-focused therapy, problem-solving, task-centered, & motivational interviewing. I primarily work with those suffering from anxiety, depression, perinatal and postpartum struggles, grief & loss, relationship distress, trauma/birth trauma,  adjustment disorders, substance abuse issues, & life transitions/stressors.

Each client I see has their own tailored treatment plan and goals to work towards. I create a plan that is individualized for each client in order to create the best outcome and to create and maintain balance and stability into each client’s life. I am very much a person who practices what I preach and will utilize my knowledge, education, and experience to help you find the skills that work best for you. 

In my free time I enjoy spending time with family, my significant other, friends, and the fur babies. I enjoy bowling, listening to live music, and exploring new places, foods, and all the beauty nature has to offer. 

Jordan accepts BCBS, Aetna, Tricare and Private Pay

NPI: 1285986711

Email Jordan@thriveccankeny.com 

My name is Alex Johnson, and I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC). 

I would also like to introduce you to my one year old Labrador, Winston. He is currently in the end stages of his training to be a certified therapy dog. Check back soon for pictures and updates on how Winston will become a part of my therapy team with you.

Whatever brings you to therapy, it is my goal to help you to be the best version of you that you wish to be. If you are experiencing doubts within who you are, parenting, becoming a new parent, regulating your emotions, healing from a traumatic experience, or experiencing chronic pain; I am here to help you work towards healing and learning a new path forward. Healing is personal to each individual, and I welcome you to start the experience together to move towards your goals.

My passion is to work with adults (moms and dads) within the perinatal period (pre-baby, conception, pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond). I am trained in perinatal mental health and working towards certification now. I utilize a variety of approach including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for depression, anxiety, trauma, and becoming “unstuck”, Transforming the Experience Based Brain to work on attachment wounds and preverbal trauma, and varied other modalities to reach your goals such as narrative theory, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT).

Background details include graduating from Iowa State University in Interdisciplinary Studies (criminal justice and criminology), sociology, and psychology. I pursued my Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Walden University. I have been working in the field of mental health and human services since 2013. I have experience with community mental health, co-occurring substance abuse and mental health, intellectual disabilities, physical disabilities, working with justice involved individuals, crisis intervention/mobile crisis, and domestic violence/sexual assault shelter.

If you feel I am the right fit for you,

I look forward to meeting you and becoming a member of your village for this period of your life!

Alex accepts BCBS and Private Pay

NPI: 1396372744

Email Alex@thriveccankeny.com

My name is Shannon Beelner and I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC).  

Whatever brings you to therapy, you can overcome, grow, change and thrive, and I want to help. I specialize in helping clients develop better cognitive, emotional and coping skills for various life challenges.  I value my relationship with each client and strive to provide a safe, warm, nonjudgmental environment in which to grow and bring about positive change. I want to encourage clients to find their strengths and courage to confront and make sense of difficult emotions and experiences so they can learn and flourish in their lives. 

My hope for the therapeutic process is to help clients engage and enhance their capacity for reflection and self-awareness to better understand and navigate their past, present and future.   

I attended the University of Iowa for my undergraduate degree in Psychology and Communication.  I received my master's degree in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Northern Iowa.  I have worked in the mental health field since 2001 providing mental health and substance abuse counseling.  I have a wealth of life experience that provides me with the ability to understand common patterns which affect clients in their journeys. 

I am passionate about forming a collaborative therapeutic relationship with clients to improve their overall quality of life.  No one size fits all and each client deserves a unique treatment plan and goals.  I work with you to determine a plan that will function best for you and your situation. I want to assist you in achieving success! I utilize a variety of treatment modalities including cognitive behavioral interventions, strengths-based model, and solution focused therapy. 

No matter where you are in your life journey, I want to meet you there.  Through the therapeutic relationship, we will move through your challenges in a confidential and warm environment. Together we can work to treat anxiety, depression, self-esteem issues, addictions, insecurities, and other life challenges we struggle with. 

In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my husband and 4 children who keep us very busy! I spend a lot of time at my kids’ sporting events or watching sporting events.  I love taking time to connect with my friends as well.  We spend a lot of time outdoors and love to swim. 

I am excited to work with you to live the life you deserve and desire! 

Shannon accepts BCBS and Private Pay 

NPI: 1134857816

E-mail: Shannon@thriveccankeny.com

  My name is Jennie Plummer (she/they). I am a temporarily Licensed Mental Health Counselor (tLMHC) under the supervision of Amy Halls, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), and Marie Villhauer, Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC).

I earned my Bachelor of Science degree from Drake University, when I majored in Psychology with a minor in Sociology and a concentration in women’s and gender studies. I went on to earn my Master of Science degree in clinical mental health counseling from Drake as well. I have been working in the mental health field since 2018. I began by providing direct care for adults with intellectual disabilities and mental illness in a group home setting.  After receiving my undergraduate degree, I transitioned into working with young children with autism in a day program setting. I completed my practicum in a juvenile delinquent residential program and my internship in a community mental health agency. 

I have clinical experience in managing anxiety, depression, relationship issues, mood disorders, trauma, life transitions, and neurodiversity.

My passion is working with the LGBTQ+ population on sexuality- and gender-related issues. I really enjoy assisting individuals in discovering and embracing their true, authentic selves. In sessions, I utilize a variety of counseling approaches including Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, Person-Centered Therapy, Mindfulness, Narrative Theory, Feminist Theory, and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT). I tailor my counseling approach and all treatment plans to meet the unique needs of each individual client.

I believe you are the expert on your life. You know your concerns, your fears, your struggles, and your story better than anyone else. As a counselor, my goal is to create a safe, affirming space in which you can explore your stressors, your identities, your relationships, or anything else you feel is significant to your life and your story. I will meet you where you are and accept you for who you are. I want therapy to be a collaborative process. Together, we will work to identify and address your concerns while also building upon and, hopefully, enriching your life story.

When not in sessions, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, creating art, sewing, and playing videos games.

If you feel that I would be a good fit, please reach out. I look forward to collaborating with you and learning your story.

Jennie accepts BCBS, Private Pay

and offers sliding scale fees

Supervisor's NPI: 1689030496

E-mail: Jennie@thriveccankeny.com

Hi!  My name is Marie Villhauer and I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC).  My clients, friends, and family would describe me as their personal cheerleader. My goal as your therapist is to help you identify what barriers are holding you back and assisting you to overcome them. I want to encourage you every step of the way. I utilize Internal Family Systems, DBT, CBT, EMDR, Gottman Couples and narrative therapy to help you reach your goals. 

I enjoy working with adolescents age 15 and up as well as adults. I have experience treating clients with anxiety, depression, mood disorders, childhood and/or adult trauma, life transitions, relationship concerns, and LGBTQI. I have additional training in letter writing for gender affirming procedures. 

Prior to becoming a therapist I worked in public health and ran a food pantry in the Des Moines area. I then attended the University of San Diego where I received my Masters in Mental Health Counseling. I have since worked in residential mental health, community mental health, and private practice for the past 7 years. 

I have grown my knowledge over the years taking additional trainings in EMDR, Gottman, Adlerian play therapy, and most recently completed my level one intensive IFS training in 2022. I am also am approved clinical supervisor for temporary licensed therapist. 

In my free time I enjoy traveling near and far, playing at the park with my toddler, and listening to true crime podcasts.

Marie accepts BCBS, Aetna, Cigna & Private Pay

NPI: 1730574039 

E-mail: Marie@thriveccankeny.com