Bobby Jo Salm
LISW, RPT
Modalities Typically Used
Play Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Interpersonal Therapy
Psychodynamic Therapy
Gestalt Therapy
Compassion-Focused Therapy
Solution-Focused Therapy
Neurodiversity Affirming
Specialties
Sand Tray Therapy
Psychodynamic Therapy
Niches
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Individuals newly entering the workforce experiencing anxiety.
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Individuals, both adults, and children, are afflicted with chronic medical conditions.
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Underprivileged members of society with a history of addiction, abuse, and divorce spanning generations.
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Family members designated as scapegoats within their familial dynamic.
Openings: Not currently accepting new clients
Contact: bobby@beaconofhopejourney.com
About Bobby
Bobby is an experienced therapist specializing in therapy for children and adults. She holds degrees from Mount Mercy University and the University of Iowa. Bobby is a Licensed Independent Social Worker. Bobby is a Registered Play Therapist and Aut-Play therapist. Bobby is also certified in Sand Tray Therapy.
Bobby has worked in hospitals, non-profit sectors, and private practices and now runs her own practice in Coralville and Rural Wilton. In her practice, Bobby utilizes a range of therapeutic approaches, including Psychodynamic Therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, and Holistic Therapy. She customizes her approach to address the unique requirements of each client. For children, she employs Directive and Non-Directive play therapy techniques.
Clients say they appreciate Bobby's empathetic, compassionate nature and innovative and imaginative mindset. Bobby incorporates expressive therapies like art and music therapy to help clients explore their emotions and experiences. Bobby values personal connections and strives to make a positive difference in the lives of others. Having faced limitations and emotional trauma, Bobby understands the challenges of confronting these issues and addressing the root cause.
Working with children has inspired Bobby, as she has discovered their incredible insights and creativity within the therapeutic process. When working with adults, she emphasizes building a genuine connection with clients, understanding that this personal connection is critical to impactful therapy rather than relying solely on textbooks.
Jess Harder
t-LMHC
Specialties
● Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
● Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
● Person-Centered Approach
● Strengths-Based
● Solution-Focused
Niches
● Life Transitions
● Anxiety and Depression
● Grief/Loss/Living Loss
● Athlete Performance Anxiety
● Multicultural Counseling
Availability:
Monday-Thursday: 8-4 pm
Friday: 8-10 am.
Locations: Coralville, Telehealth
Openings: Accepting new clients
Contact: jess@beaconofhopejourney.com
About Jess
Jess is a temporarily licensed mental health counselor (tLMHC) with degrees from the University of Iowa and the University of Northern Iowa. Jess’s approach is through a collaborative lens that meets individuals where they currently are. Her therapeutic style is empathetic, non-judgmental, and empowers clients toward their personal goals and well-being. Seeking counseling can be daunting and creating a safe environment is at the core of her approach. Jess has experience working in numerous settings, specifically higher academia and
community-based services.
Jess integrates various theoretical approaches into her practice, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Solution-Focused Therapy. Jess is particularly passionate about supporting individuals struggling with life transitions, anxiety, depression, grief, and living loss, specifically those
struggling with dementia. Jess has worked with clients of all ages and a diverse range of backgrounds and cultural experiences.
While Jess is not working, she enjoys spending time with her golden retriever, Cooper, partaking
in all things Iowa Hawkeyes, and catching up on the latest hit TV series.
Specialties
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Internal family systems (IFS)
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Neurodivergent-Affirming Therapy
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Existential Therapy
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Somatic Therapy
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Art Therapy
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Play Therapy
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Trauma, PTSD
Niches
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Couples & Non-monogamous partnerships
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Families
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Individuals
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LGBTQIA+
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Neurodivergence
Availability: M-Th 11:00 am- 7:00 pm
Locations: Coralville, telehealth
Openings: Currently accepting new clients
Contact: lexys@beaconofhopejourney.com
Lexys Vaillancourt
t-LMFT
About Lexys
Lexys (they/she) is a temporary licensed marriage and family therapist who passionately serves individuals, couples, families, and children throughout the state of Iowa. Lexys’ experience spans across academic, community, and inpatient settings which strongly informs their collaborative and human-centered approach. As a neurodivergent and gender-queer therapist, Lexys strives to help others come into their identity in a safe and authentic manner.
In practice, Lexys integrates the creative and empirical; while using evidence-based principles, Lexys uses a variety of tools to help clients embrace the here-and-now. Whether through talk, paint, or sand play, Lexys is committed to helping others heal from trauma, rebuild relationships, understand themselves, and achieve meaningful, lasting change. There are no questions too big or small when it comes to making meaning of one’s experience. Lexys believes everyone is capable of handling the difficult, the uncomfortable, and the unknown.
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Jenna Iben
tLMHC
Specialties
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Life Transitions
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Neurodivergent-Affirming Therapy
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Existential Therapy
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Somatic Therapy
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Art Therapy
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Play Therapy
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Trauma, PTSD
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Feminist Therapy,
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Relational Therapy
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Psychodynamic Therapy
Niches
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Couples & Non-monogamous partnerships
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DV/Intimate partner violence
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Individuals
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LGBTQIA+
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Family of origin/Cultural exploration
Availability: M-Th 9:00 am- 4:00 PM
Locations: Coralville, Telehealth
Openings: Currently accepting new clients
Contact: jenna@beaconofhopejourney.com
About Jenna
Jenna is a temporary licensed mental health counselor (tLMHC) holding degrees from the University of Iowa in Iowa City and Touro University in New York, NY. Jenna's therapeutic approach stems from her philosophy on healing and growth; it comes about through relationships and our connection with others. She believes we all desire a sense of belonging and thrive within community. Her role as your therapist is to join you on your journey and provide a safe space where you feel comfortable to explore your inner world, and the world around you.
She primarily works from a relational, psychodynamic approach with a heavy emphasis on an anti-oppressive, feminist lens. In sessions this might look like exploring interpersonal relationship dynamics, reframing your thoughts and behaviors without pathologizing them, exploring your culture and upbringing, processing past experiences, re-centering into a guided meditation, and more. Your work together will vary on your goals and the direction you take it; Jenna always strives to empower her clients to guide how they want their healing journey to look. If traditional talk therapy sounds stuffy to you, She also loves to incorporate aspects of poetry, art, creativity, mindfulness, and more.
Jenna has extensive experience working with women and gender-expansive individuals as well as couples in various settings. She's worked closely with those struggling with relational issues, life transitions, depression, anxiety, and those who have experienced intimate partner violence. She also enjoys working with individuals looking to explore their culture and family of origin, interpersonal dynamics, and the socio-political systems around them.
Just as she promotes self-care and wellbeing for her clients, she prioritizes this in her own life. Her self-care rituals include reading (probably Joan Didion or Bell Hooks), painting, cooking, and spending time with her favorite people.
Michele Armstrong
LISW
Specialties
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Narrative Therapy
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Polyvagal Theory
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Attachment Theory
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Psychodynamic Therapy
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Existential Therapy
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Niches
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Chronic health issues and caregiver-related stressors
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Life transitions
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Neurodivergence
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LGBTQIA+
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Individuals affected by religious trauma
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Grief and loss
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Elders
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Looking through a lense of social justice
Availability:
(Coralville) Monday: 10:00 am-4:00 PM
(Coralville) Tuesday: 11:00 am- 6:00 PM
(Wilton) Wednesday: 10:00 am- 4:00 PM
(Coralville) Thursday: 10:00 am-4:00 PM
(Coralville) Friday: 10:00 am-4:00 PM
Locations: Wilton, Coralville, telehealth
Openings: Currently accepting new clients
Contact: michele@beaconofhopejourney.com
About Michele
Michele is a Clinical Social Worker born and raised in New York State. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Albany, NY. Having a family member who is a monk at the Mississippi Abbey in Dubuque, Iowa, Michele visited Iowa often over the years. Michele lived with the monks for a period of time and gained an appreciation for the spirituality of simpleness and mindfulness, which she incorporates into her practices if requested.
Michele has served in many diverse roles throughout her career, working with older adults in behavioral health and healthcare settings for many years. She has a passion for palliative and end-of-life care and has a postgraduate certificate from Smith College in this specialty. Michele also has worked with equine psychotherapy and in a clinic that specializes in individuals with neurodiversity.
Michele enjoys deep exploration and the search for meaning, which is evolving, and embraces that change is an inherent part of the human experience. Through understanding our identities and growing in our self-awareness, we can better focus on life-enhancing experiences.
Michele strives to create emotional safety by building a trusting relationship where work is done together as a team. She has a warm and empathetic approach and is passionate about providing holistic care personalized to each individual’s needs. Michele has experience working with a diverse background, which includes neurodiversity, grief and loss, chronic illness, depression, anxiety, the LBGTQ community, and chronic trauma. Together, we will examine factors that affect feelings of self-worth and personal growth. Developing deeper insights and learning new ways to overcome patterns and obstacles can help with learning to lead a happier and more fulfilled life. I truly believe that we have a great ability to heal and create the meaningful lives that we want to live. Maybe you’re stuck or aren’t sure where to begin. Reach out; you don’t have to do it alone.
When she is not working, Michele enjoys being outdoors with her three dogs and wife! Her favorite activity is traveling with her family on their teardrop travel trailer camping trips. Michele loves forests, oceans, and mountains and loves to explore. Michele also enjoys history, gardening, reading, and spirituality.