Full Heart Family Therapy
Mary Meyer PhD, LMFT, CSAT
Executive Director
Dr. Mary Meyer is the Owner and Executive Director of Full Heart Family Therapy, and she is a Licensed Marital and Family Therapist in Iowa and Illinois. She is also a Transpersonal Psychologist, qualitative researcher, and writer. She received a Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology from the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology in Palo Alto, CA, and a Master of Family and Consumer Sciences from Iowa State University. She is also an ordained interfaith minister through the Sufi Movement International. She has been a practicing couple and family therapist for over 13 years in a variety of settings.
Dr. Meyer works from a family systems perspective, which emphasizes relationships between people, patterns of interaction, and the context in which they live. She is also very attuned to spiritual issues, including how one relates to their inner world and to life as a whole. She has interest in working with individuals, couples, and families who are facing challenges or who want to explore greater depths of self understanding and enjoy greater meaning and joy in their life.
Dr. Meyer is a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT). She completed her two year post-graduate training in sexual addiction and partner trauma from the International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals (IITAP). She is also trained in Imago Relationship Therapy, Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Developmental and Relational Trauma Therapy (DART).
Amy Muller, LMFT
Clinical Manager/ Mental Health Therapist
(she, her, hers)
Amy Muller has been a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist since 2015. Amy graduated from Iowa State University with a Master’s degree from the Couple and Family Therapy program in 2013. Amy has worked as a mental health therapist and on the executive level, which has provided Amy a well-rounded view of how clients, therapists, and agencies can work together to provide a safe and healthy therapeutic experience for clients. Amy assists Couples, Families, and individuals through outpatient therapy. Amy has specialized training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples, Gottman therapy, and is currently pursuing a certification in Sex Therapy from the University of Wisconsin Stout. Amy practices from an attachment, systems focused, trauma-informed care, narrative and experiential approach to best fit your needs.
Amy recognizes the importance of a safe, emotional space for clients and offers empathy and compassion, but also challenges the negative narratives we all hold that lead to negative beliefs and behaviors in our lives. Amy offers a therapeutic environment where it is safe to be who you are. It takes vulnerability to have a connection. Amy is dedicated to be with you on the journey of healing, coping, and communicating in a healthy manner.
Laura Housel, MS, LMHC, CYI, CSAT Candidate
Mental Health Art Therapist
(she, her, hers)
Laura Housel earned a master’s degree in art therapy with an emphasis in counseling from Mount Mary University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Iowa in health, leisure, and sports studies with concentration in therapeutic recreation and has been a nationally certified therapeutic recreation specialist for nearly 15 years. Laura is also a certified yoga instructor in yoga therapy with additional training and certification in kundalini yoga. She is training as a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT) with the International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals (IITAP).
As an art therapist and yoga instructor, Laura hopes to offer opportunities to explore relationships and the mind/body connection from a trauma-informed perspective that is appropriate, culturally relevant, and that meets the needs of the individual, couple, family, group, or community. Laura has had the opportunity to work and train in a variety of settings including hospitals, residential facilities, private practice, and community groups. She has had the honor to work compassionately alongside clients impacted by cancer, grief and spiritual concerns as well as adults and adolescents impacted by homelessness, trauma, oppression, marginalization, sexual violence and trafficking, mood disorders, eating disorders, personality disorders, body dysmorphia, body image and identity concerns, relationship and intimacy struggles, stress, shame, isolation, addiction and life transitions.
Laura enjoys meeting each client where they are, offering a safe place to be seen and heard. She is LGBTQ friendly. Laura has been an active volunteer, advocating in the community and profession.
Mackenzie Trotter, MA, LMHC, ADHD-CCSP
Mental Health Therapist
Mackenzie holds an independent license as a Mental Health Therapist and a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Mackenzie has worked in the mental health and substance use field since 2013. Mackenzie is a certified ADHD professional, which involves an intensive training targeted at managing ADHD across the lifespan. In addition to ADHD, she has experience treating a number of mental health issues, including anxiety, perfectionism, relationship issues (including sex therapy), personality disorders, and sex addiction. Mackenzie also works with individuals seeking freedom from addictive and compulsive sexual behavior in a group setting, bi-weekly on Thursdays from 6-7pm.
“When people don’t have any curiosity about themselves, that is always a bad sign.” Irvin Yalom Hello! You reading this seems to be a good sign; it tells me you have an interest in examining your life, as something probably isn’t working the way you’d like it to! I use a humanistic therapy approach, specifically existentialism, reality therapy, and attachment theory – although these might not mean anything to you now, they will – as I enjoy sharing everything I know with the hope it will help create additional meaning in your life.
If you decide to take this journey with me, you and I will start by peeling back layers upon layers in pursuit of truth, no matter how painful, as truth and taking responsibility are keys to living a meaningful and purposeful existence.
One of my favorite quotes is, “Living safely is dangerous,” – Irvin Yalom; so if you’re ready to dive in to the nitty-gritty / the good, bad, and ugly of your existence, I look forward to venturing into the chaos and messiness of life with you!
Johnathan Starko, LMSW
Mental Health Therapist
I am a LMSW licensed in the states of Iowa and Mississippi. I graduated with my master’s in social work from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, California and a Bachelors in Sociology and Women Studies from Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa. As L.R Knost says, “Remember, no matter the problem, kindness is always the right response. When your child is having a problem, stop, listen, then respond to the need, not the behavior. The behavior can be addressed later, after the need has been met, because only then is the door to effective communication truly open.” That is why my focus has always been on children, adolescents, and their family. In 2017 I started my career as a behavior interventionist working with children in a special education classroom where I was able to learn a variety of trauma informed approaches including cognitive behavioral therapy, internal family systems, solution focused therapy, and others. I take a person-centered approach and always try to provide a safe and non-judgmental space for my clients to open-up and learn a variety of skills to be successful in all environments including, but not limited to, grounding, muscle relaxation, and mindfulness. When you can learn to find a way to get you through the difficult moments in life you can accomplish anything. One of my favorite quotes is from Tom Stoppard, “Because children grow up, we think a child’s purpose is to grow up. But a child’s purpose is to be a child.” Helping children and their parents remember this is what I strive to do every day. As a parent myself I must remember this with my own children, so the struggle is real. I am here to help you get through it. When not helping parents with communicating with their children I assist adults, parents and non-parents alike, to cope with struggles whether it be anxiety, depression, basic feelings of being overwhelmed, or a diagnosed MH disorder. The coping skills and trauma informed approaches I mentioned above can be applied to adults as well. I am excited to be joining the Full Heart Family, where I can partake in supervision with Kathy Greer, LISW to obtain my LISW and learn new and exciting approaches I am not yet familiar with. Just remember good mental health is not a destination, it is a process, it’s not about where you are going, but how you get there. Asking for help is not a weakness it’s a strength, and I am glad to be even a small portion of that journey.
Rachel Kokichi-Burnley, LMFT
Family Therapist
Rachel received her master’s degree with honors in Marriage and Family Therapy in 2020 and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in forensic psychology. Rachel is a certified Eye Movement Desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapist and holds additional certifications in grief and loss, pet grief and loss. Rachel has training and experience using Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Structural Family Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy and is very comfortable conducting faith based counseling. Rachel has recently begun working within the field of sexual addiction and betrayal trauma.
Rachel is systemically focused and utilizes a blend of approaches and wants your therapy journey to be as unique as you are. Rachel enjoys working with adults, couples, military service members, veterans and emergency service personnel.
In her downtime, Rachel can often be found spending time with her friends and family, traveling, volunteering, reading , spending time with her cats, exploring the great outdoors, listening to podcasts and gaming.
Jennifer James, MA, ATR-P, tLMHC
Art Psychotherapist
Sometimes the things we experience don’t come with words to express them. I use an integrative trauma-informed body-aware approach to help clients listen to the stories that their bodies, emotions, and experiences are trying to tell them. I provide a compassionate, supportive atmosphere to allow your inner experiences to be witnessed and processed in a welcoming and non-judgmental space. I often incorporate grounding exercises, mindfulness, coping skills, and integration of both EMDR and art therapy when working with individuals to connect deeply within themselves to provide safety and empower them to transform their lives.
Art Therapy is a helpful nonverbal way of communicating, which can help to express trauma or emotionally intense subject matter for individuals who have not had success in being able to talk about what they have experienced. EMDR has been proven to work to lower PTSD symptoms and help people decrease their emotional intensity to their trauma.
If you have been struggling to find the words, and feeling misunderstood, or have found talk therapy not to be as successful as you had hoped, don’t give up! I would love to journey with you to find a way for you to express and process through whatever is troubling you, email me to set up a free consultation and see if we might be a good fit.
Abraham Goetz, LMSW, CADC
Mental Health Therapist
Abraham (Abe) Goetz received a master’s degree in social work with a clinical concentration from Aurora University in Illinois. He received his bachelor’s degree in international environment and development studies from the Norwegian University of Life Sciences in Aas, Norway.
Abe has several years of experience in the child welfare field including as a Court Appointed Special Advocate, Family Consultant, Social Work Case Manager, and a Child Protective Worker. Abe uses these experiences to better serve parents involved in DHS services. Abe also serves as the mental health therapist on the Polk County Recovery Court team, working with parents experiencing addiction. Outside of this experience, Abe has been on the board and executive committee of the Iowa chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, and the Chair of the Young Professionals Board of CASA Lake County.
Abe uses an eclectic approach in his therapy, utilizing aspects of Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, trauma informed care, Gestalt therapy, motivational interviewing, solution focused care, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Abe has experience working with co-occurring (substance use and mental health) based issues.
Abe aims to meet his clients where they are at, taking a holistic approach to supporting all facets of the individual’s life. Abe is not afraid to be direct to address unhealthy behavior, while also providing an environment of nonjudgement and client-centered care.
While not in the office, Abe enjoys spending time with his wife and their two dogs, playing tennis and chess, reading, and bird watching.
Heather Monaghan
Graduate Counseling Intern
Heather is a student of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate program at Grand View University. Heather is currently a counseling graduate intern under the supervision of Dr. Mary Meyer at Full Heart Family Therapy. Heather completed her Bachelor of Arts degree (B.A.) in Human Services at Grand View University in 2001. Since that time Heather has worked with several populations including children, adolescents, and adults with special needs and elderly clients living in assisted living and long-term care facilities. Heather values Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in addition to other mindfulness practices. She is determined to establish a therapeutic environment with her clients, free from judgment, so they feel safe and empowered, and aims to promote overall wellbeing for her clients.
Erin Kate Schug
Office Manager
Welcome! I am the Office Manager at Full Heart and look forward to helping you get started on your healing journey. After spending over 20 years teaching and working in the healthcare field as a cardiac sonographer, I decided it was time to make a career change. I earned an undergraduate degree in psychology so mental health and human behavior have always been a passion of mine. I think we all have great potential to grow and heal throughout our lifetime and having professionally trained therapists available to support and guide us is invaluable.
My role is to assist you in navigating the intake process, whether that be helping you find a therapist or support group, completing the intake paperwork, answering insurance questions, or scheduling appointments. Life can be complicated and overwhelming at times so I’m here to make this process as straightforward and simple as I can for you.
When I’m not working, I enjoy recharging in nature and spending time with my husband, kids, and doggies whom I adore dearly.
Contracted Therapists
Krystyna Thompson, MS, LMFT
Family Therapist
Revive Therapy Services, LLC
Krystyna Thompson is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) who enjoys working with couples, individuals, and families on a variety of emotional and relational issues.
Krystyna works with trauma stemming from emotional, physical, and sexual abuse which can lead to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, panic, anxiety, depression, and relationship concerns. She utilizes a Trauma-Informed Care Perspective when working with trauma-related problems and finds that this viewpoint encourages clients to reach their goals effectively and with compassion.
Furthermore, Krystyna is trained in working with a variety of addictive issues; sexual addiction, substance addiction, and co-occurring problems. She is specifically trained in working with couples and their relationship concerns and helps couples feel happier, more fulfilled, and more joyous in their lives.
Jennifer Gauerke, LMHC
Mental Health Therapist
LaJendi Counseling, LLC
Every person has the potential for growth and healing. My role as a therapist is to help you remove barriers that prevent growth while nurturing your natural healing instinct, in a non-judgmental space. You are unique, so are your challenges, relationships and goals. While I utilize best practices to ensure success in our work together, I also take you into consideration; supporting your individual life goals, values, and choices. Your personal autonomy will be valued and respected.
Healing from past wounds and trauma is often part of the work I do with clients. With the knowledge and skills I possess, clients are enabled to move out of trauma responses into post traumatic growth. These trauma responses show up in multiple ways and many do not realize they are a result of trauma – feeling overwhelmed by emotions, difficulty sleeping (including nightmares), avoiding conflict, overthinking situations, feeling the urge to flee or fight, use of substances to cope. Healing work begins as I provide information about what trauma is, how affects the brain, how it impacts present emotions and behavior, and the damage it does to self. With this knowledge, clients are empowered by the wisdom of their emotions, understanding themselves in a new way which enables their natural mind body connection to heal. (Without these interventions, many remain stuck in fear, frustration, and loneliness.) The next phase of healing is changing harmful behaviors and ways of thinking, opening the door to post traumatic growth. This could show up as improved and satisfying relationships, greater confidence, more creativity, and moving with more ease through daily life. I received a Mental Health Counseling degree from Drake University, and am fully licensed in the state of Iowa (LMHC) to provide therapy. As a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) I provide support for co-occurring disorders (mental health and addiction). After completing hundreds of hours of group facilitation and education, I achieved the Certified Group Psychotherapist designation by the American Group Psychotherapy Association.
As a Certified Alcohol and Drug Therapist (CADC), I have vast experience in supporting clients in recovery from multiple addictions and co-occurring disorders (mental health and addiction related diagnoses). My goal is to support, encourage, and motivate people engaged in the fight to be free of addiction and the shame which perpetuates it. Providing support through my private practice, I am an effective support for those with mild substance use disorders, or those interested in maintaining their recovery. I also provide much needed support and education to those with loved ones trapped in the painful disease of addiction. Participation in group therapy can aid the healing process. As a Certified Group Psychotherapist (CGP), I facilitate groups that promote connection and growth. Life satisfaction and happiness often greatly increase when we have a sense of belonging and enjoy healthy relationships. Groups provide a place for people to grow together, while learning about themselves and improving
relationship skills. I enjoy being the mother to four and step mother to two, raising a family with my husband. Our blended family means I understand the complexities of divorce and blending families after remarriage. Our family also includes a handsome grey bunny named Gandalf and a large furry dog named Maia.
As a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) in Iowa, I supported clients in both the residential and outpatient programs at House of Mercy in Des Moines from 2015 to 2018. This included facilitating various psychoeducational groups and providing individual counseling, utilizing Solution Focused and Motivational Interviewing techniques. While in private practice at Vida Psychotherapy, I grew as an individual and group therapist, offering groups for recovery from addiction and to support clinicians, which are ongoing. Moving to Full Heart Family Therapy in September 2020 has enabled me to continuing growing as a clinician and finding balance in life. I am constantly learning and have grown from additional trainings in the following areas: ethics, addiction, trauma, disordered eating, grief and loss, telehealth, process groups, mentalization, and mindfulness-based stress reduction.
As I move forward with the knowledge and experience I’ve gained, I actively seek out and participate in activities to improve the community, including presenting about trauma and addiction to professionals at the state and
regional level.
Alyssa Lambert, CPC-A
Billing Specialist
Lambert Medical Billing Services, LLC
Hello! My name is Alyssa Lambert. I have been working in the medical billing (specifically mental health and substance abuse) and accounts receivable fields for the past 12 years. I obtained my associates degree majoring in the Medical Office Specialist program in 2011 along with certificates in Medical Billing and Coding and Medical Transcription. In 2018, I obtained my Certified Professional Coder-Apprentice certification through the AAPC. I feel that the more understanding there is about the financial responsibilities related to mental health care, the easier it is to take the steps towards mental health well-being. I am happy to assist with any questions or concerns you may have about insurance, appointment scheduling, and any other matters that relate to the process. If I don’t have the answers, I will do my best to get the answers or point you in the right direction.
Outside of my work with Full Heart Family Therapy, I currently work as a Support Assistant Lead in an Emergency Department as well as run a medical billing business specializing in mental health and substance abuse billing with my husband. We have three children, two dogs, and four cats that all keep us very busy.
Please note that some therapists above own and operate their own independent practice, while serving clients at Full Heart Family Therapy. Please inquire for more information.