Want to Get On Our List? We'll notify you when any of our providers have new availability!
Our Professional Team
Amanda J. Olson MS, LMHC, NCC
Born and raised in Iowa, Amanda felt it important to continue to stay and serve her local communities. She completed her Masters in Science degree in Mental Health Counseling with an emphasis in Crisis and Trauma Interventions and Public Policy & Leadership Certification from Walden University in 2013. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and Religion with minors in Communication Arts, Women's Studies, and Leadership Development from Wartburg College, Iowa in 2008. Amanda additionally received the Wartburg College Debbie Heida Award in 2007, for her leadership and service contributions. Currently, Amanda is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in the State of Iowa and has been a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC) for over 10 years.
Through her years of experience, Amanda has worked with hundreds of clients from all walks of life. This has provided Amanda with a deep insight and a practical view of contemporary issues and has allowed her to develop a unique combination of interpersonal psychoanalysis, mind-body stimulation, cognitive behavioral techniques, and the ability to diagnose and treat clients in a detailed manner. Her work with Murphy CDT, further allows a client to be their authentic selves in session. Amanda is known to be approachable, genuine, and has a welcoming "take your shoes off and relax" view to therapy. The therapeutic environment should be a place where people feel safe, and Amanda strives to provide that for each of her clients.
Top Specialties
- Trauma and PTSD
- Life Transitions
- Self Esteem
Other Expertise
- Anxiety
- Behavioral Issues
- Career Counseling
- Coping Skills
- Depression
- Domestic Abuse
- Domestic Violence
- Emotional Disturbance
- Family Conflict
- Grief
- LGBTQ+
- Mood Disorders
- Peer Relationships
- Relationship Issues
- School Issues
- Sex Therapy
- Spirituality
- Stress
- Women's Issues
Treatment Approaches
- Acceptance and Commitment (ACT)
- Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
- Compassion Focused
- EMDR
- Feminist
- Gestalt
- Motivational Interviewing
- Person-Centered
- Solution Focused Brief (SFBT)
- Strength-Based
- Trauma Focused
- Trained in Mental Health Integrative Medicine Provider (CMHIMP) certification
Madison Wagner LMHC, LPC, NCC, RYT 200
Top Specialties
- Anxiety
- Obsessive-Compulsive (OCD)
- Trauma and PTSD
Other Expertise
- Bipolar Disorder
- Borderline Personality (BPD)
- Coping Skills
- Depression
- Domestic Abuse
- Domestic Violence
- Eating Disorders
- Life Transitions
- Pregnancy, Prenatal, Postpartum
- Relationship Issues
- Self Esteem
- Sexual Abuse
- Sleep or Insomnia
- Spirituality
- Stress
- Suicidal Ideation
- Women's Issues
Treatment Approaches
- Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
- Cognitive Processing (CPT)
- Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
- Exposure Response Prevention (ERP)
- Motivational Interviewing
- Narrative
- Positive Psychology
- Psychoanalytic
- Psychodynamic
- Strength-Based
- Trauma Focused
- Trained in Mental Health Integrative Medicine Provider (CMHIMP) certification
Murphy, CTD, CCO
Murphy, Certified Therapy Dog, and our Chief Cuddle Officer, is a black Labrador Retriever, joined Amanda in May 2016 as a re-careered service dog in training from the Puppy Jake Foundation in Des Moines, Iowa. The Puppy Jake Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to helping wounded military veterans with the assistance of well-bred and professionally trained PTSD service dogs.
With approval from the client, Murphy is welcome to join in the therapy session with the client for Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT). The goal of AAT is to improve a client’s social, emotional, or cognitive functioning. Interacting with an animal in a therapy session can enhance a client's experience of therapy and provide a different way to acquire and improve important life skills. Research has shown that individuals who experience stress, depression, anxiety, autism-related issues, dementia, mental disorders, chronic diseases, and neurological disorders can be effectively treated with the help of an animal.
In Murphy’s spare time, he enjoys playing outside, running, chewing on bones, and belly rubs. He also enjoys meeting new people, giving “puppy hugs” and exploring his surroundings. If you happen to see Murphy around, feel free to come up and meet him! He loves to say Hi!
Frequently Asked Questions
Seeking out therapy is an individual choice. There are many reasons why people come to therapy. Sometimes it is to deal with long-standing psychological issues, or problems with anxiety or depression. Other times it is in response to unexpected changes in one's life such as a divorce or work transition. Many seek the advice of counsel as they pursue their own personal exploration and growth. Working with a therapist can help provide insight, support, and new strategies for all types of life challenges. Therapy can help address many types of issues including depression, anxiety, conflict, grief, stress management, addiction and recovery, body-image issues, and general life transitions. Therapy is right for anyone who is interested in getting the most out of their life by taking responsibility, creating greater self-awareness, and working towards change in their lives.