Cathy S. Nelson, MSW, LISW

Compassionate counseling and skills training for effective coping

Therapy is a dynamic, professional relationship between people that works, in part, because of clearly defined rights and responsibilities held by each person. This frame helps to create the safety to take healthy risks and the support to become empowered to make changes. The goal is your well-being. As a client in therapy, you have certain rights that are important for you to know about because this is your therapy. There are also certain legal limitations to those rights that you should be aware of. As a therapist, I have corresponding responsibilities to you. I have described these responsibilities and what work with me might be like in ordinary language to make things as clear and straightforward as possible. If you have questions now or in the future, please ask them. I appreciate your thoughtfulness and thoroughness and want to be the best ally possible to you.

My Training and Approach to Therapy

I have a Masters degree in Social Work, earned in 2001 at the University of Iowa's Social Work graduate program, an accredited university in southeast Iowa. I am bound by Iowa law, the Iowa Board of Social Work Examiners licensure and the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics. I have a practitioner's (social work) license from the State of Iowa and am insured.

My areas of expertise include expressive anger therapy, spirituality, gender and sexuality issues, trauma issues, and skills training for positive coping. I trained with Dr. Colin Ross in his trauma treatment program, located in Dallas, Texas. I am qualified to facilitate support groups for parents and other advocates of Autistic spectrum and other special needs persons. My social work training emphasized a systems approach and I see people as independent individuals, as well as members of family, peer, work, social, societal, religious, national, and environmental groups.

My approach to therapy is strengths-based, eclectic and holistic. I believe that therapy should be as client-driven as possible, so that we can look at all the influences, both internal and external, that are bringing you to the path of counseling. I will join you on your life's path as an invited and respectful guest; we will work together for a while, then taper off or part, with occasional check-ins as needed to solidify your progress. I may use a variety of techniques in therapy to find what will work best for you. These techniques are likely to include dialogue, interpretation, cognitive reframing, awareness exercises, self-monitoring experiments, visualization, movement, journal-keeping, drawing, and reading books. I also refer to resources such as films, classes, practitioners, and such, if I think these ideas might help. If I propose a specific technique that may have special risks attached, I will inform you of that and discuss with you the risks and benefits of what I am suggesting. I may suggest that you consult with a physical health care provider regarding treatments that could help your problems. I refer to a variety of practitioners and will be glad to discuss with you the pros and cons of various alternatives. I may also suggest that you join a therapy or support group as part of your work with me. You have the right to refuse anything that I suggest without being penalized in any way.

Most folks experience emotional peaks and valleys during the therapy process. Intense work may result in relief from suffering and may also affect one’s current relationships. Please consider, carefully, if you are willing and able to engage in life-changing work. I will do what I can to minimize risks and maximize positive outcomes as we work together.