Process life events and develop coping skills.

Tailored support for K-12 schools following a crisis

group icon

Our clinic periodically offers the following group counseling opportunities: Educator Empowerment Group, Coping with Grief and Loss Group, and SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) Group.

See below for groups currently open for enrollment. Groups require a minimum number of participants to run.

SCSMH counseling groups are fee-based. We accept medical insurance. Financial aid is available to individuals who qualify. See Fees and Insurance for more information. 

Coping with Grief and Loss Group

Coping with Grief and Loss Group

a virtual counseling group for Iowa PreK-12 school staff and AEA staff experiencing loss
  • Where: Online
  • When: Thursdays from 4 – 5 p.m. from February 6 – April 3, 2025
  • Who: PreK-12 educators, school staff, and AEA staff living in Iowa who are currently experiencing grief due to a loss or life transition

Interested in Participating?

Life after loss can feel overwhelming. If you are grappling with grief, consider joining our 8-week, online Coping with Grief and Loss Group. 

This virtual group is aimed at helping you learn about the grief process, develop skills in mindfulness and self-compassion, and connect with others in a confidential, supportive space. This psychoeducational group will utilize skills from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

The deadline to register is Thursday, January 23.

SPACE Group

SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) Group

a virtual counseling group for parents wanting to better support their child’s anxious emotions
  • Where: Online
  • When: Fridays from 12 – 1 p.m. for 8 sessions, February 14 – April 11, 2025 (No group on March 21, 2025)
  • Who: Open to parents/caregivers of Iowa K-12 students who have anxious emotions or OCD

Interested in Participating?

Better support your child or teen experiencing anxiety, OCD, or other related disorders by joining our online SPACE group.

SPACE stands for Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions. During this 8-week online skill-building program, discover effective strategies to foster positive change in your child’s life. Deepen your understanding, connect with a supportive community, and develop skills in:

  • Responding with acceptance
  • Reducing accommodations
  • Managing child/teen anxiety

The group will meet online 1x per week for 60 minutes over 8 weeks. Must be able to attend all 8 sessions.

The deadline to register is Friday, January 31. 

Educator Empowerment Group

Educator Empowerment Group

a virtual counseling group to help Iowa PreK-12 school staff thrive

This group is not currently accepting referrals. Check back soon! If you would like to be notified when the next available group is open, please email scsmh-clinic@uiowa.edu.


Interested in Participating?

PreK-12 educators, school administrators, school counselors, school social workers, and paraeducators, this group is for you! The Educator Empowerment group is an 8-week online skill-building program aimed at helping you thrive. 

The group will meet online 1x per week for 60 minutes to reflect on daily practices and emotional patterns; develop critical skills in handling crisis situations, cultivating emotional awareness, setting boundaries, and focusing on the present; and connect with other educators in a confidential, non-judgmental space.

A psychoeducational group that utilizes skills from Marsha Linehan’s Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), educators will strengthen capacities around:

  • distress tolerance (skills to build resilience)
  • emotional regulation (skills to help process and express emotions)
  • interpersonal effectiveness (skills to foster understanding and ask for things)
  • mindfulness practices (skills to shift your mindset and be present)

Since this is a psychoeducational group, self-disclosure and participation in this group is entirely voluntary.

Helpful Information

The client or guardian will be asked to complete consent forms that explain our services, as well as client rights and responsibilities. They will also be asked to complete a questionnaire to help us learn more about the client, their background, and goals for counseling. If the family intends to have services submitted to insurance for payment, they are also required to send a copy of their insurance card at this time. After these forms have been completed, Scanlan Center for School Mental Health clinical staff will contact the family to schedule an initial appointment.

The frequency and duration of services depend on the client’s individual needs and the clinician’s availability. In most cases, it is recommended that clients participate in weekly or biweekly sessions, at least initially. As treatment progresses, the frequency of appointments may be reduced.

Clinical services at the Scanlan Center for School Mental Health Clinic are time-limited and focus on specific treatment goals. The duration of a client’s course of services depends on their individual needs, but the typical duration of services is approximately 15 sessions.

SCSMH Clinical services provided by licensed professionals are fee-based.

SCSMH billable clinicians are credentialed with most major insurance companies. We agree to submit insurance claims for you, with your written permission. If you wish to have us submit bills to your insurance carrier, you will be required to sign the Authorization for Release of Information and Payment Request form before services are initiated. Not signing the authorization form indicates that you are assuming personal responsibility for the service fees. Please note that you will be responsible for any fees not covered by your insurance provider, such as copays, coinsurance, or deductibles, which will be invoiced to you. 

The same SCSMH Clinic fees apply for telehealth and in-person services. However, insurance or other managed care providers may have different coverage, or may not cover, sessions that are conducted via telehealth. If your insurance provider does not cover telehealth counseling sessions, you will be responsible for fees related to the clinical service provided. Please contact your insurance company prior to engaging in telehealth sessions to determine your coverage.  

Clinical services provided by clinicians-in-training cannot be billed to insurance. There are no fees for individual counseling services delivered by clinicians under clinical supervision.  

Financial coverage for clinical services will be determined prior to the initial appointment. Financial aid may be available to individuals who qualify. Please direct questions regarding fees and insurance to scsmh-clinic-billing@uiowa.edu.

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Training Clinic

The Scanlan Center for School Mental Health is a training clinic for students preparing to become mental health providers. This is critical to our mission of increasing the school mental health workforce in Iowa. Student trainees will participate in most aspects of Scanlan Center for School Mental Health clinical service delivery under the direct supervision of our licensed staff.

Coordination between the Clinic and Schools/AEAs

The Scanlan Center for School Mental Health clinic coordinates with school districts and AEAs to support the needs of students, educators, and staff in schools. Our staff adheres to confidentiality and privacy laws in the provision of services. However, some communication with school staff may be beneficial for best addressing the broad needs of a client, especially when individual services are being provided to students. Therefore, the Scanlan Center for School Mental Health clinician may request permission to coordinate with school staff on specific issues agreed upon between the clinician and the client/guardian. For example, if services are being provided to the student via telehealth while they are at school, the clinic staff will need to coordinate with school staff in scheduling the appointment, accessing the appointment link, securing a private space for the appointment, and ensuring the client has access to necessary technology and technology support.

Notice of Privacy Practices

The Scanlan Center for School Mental Health Clinic is located in Iowa City, Iowa, and clients local to the area may choose to seek in-person services at our clinic. In order to increase access to mental health services across the state of Iowa, Scanlan Center for School Mental Health clinical services are also offered via telehealth. Clients participating in these services will receive a link to our telehealth platform when their initial appointment is scheduled.

Crisis services may be provided onsite at the school requesting the service. Some crisis services will also be available via telehealth.

North Ramp is the closest parking ramp to Blank Honors Center. The Iowa Memorial Union Ramp is also within walking distance. Metered street parking may also be available.

Clinic Staff

Headshot of Alissa Doobay

Alissa Doobay, Ph.D.

Title/Position
Director of Clinical Services, Scanlan Center for School Mental Health
Clinical Associate Professor of Counseling Psychology, College of Education
Headshot of Jamie Elizalde

Jamie Elizalde, Ph.D., NCSP

Title/Position
Licensed Psychologist, Scanlan Center for School Mental Health Clinic
Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry
Headshot of Amanda Elliott

Amanda Elliott, DO

Title/Position
Psychiatrist, Scanlan Center for School Mental Health Clinic
Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry
Headshot of Taylor Ford

Taylor Ford, MSW, LISW

Title/Position
Assistant Director of Clinical Services and Crisis Response, Scanlan Center for School Mental Health Clinic
Adjunct Instructor, University of Iowa School of Social Work
Headshot of Liz Gleason

Liz Gleason, LMSW

Title/Position
Social Worker, Scanlan Center for School Mental Health Clinic
Meet Liz Gleason, Social Worker for the Scanlan Center for School Mental Health Clinic.
Headshot of Ryan Kidder

Ryan Kidder, MSW, LISW

Title/Position
Social Worker, Scanlan Center for School Mental Health Clinic
Headshot of Sam McVancel

Sam McVancel, Ph.D.

Title/Position
Licensed Psychologist, Scanlan Center for School Mental Health Clinic
Meet Sam McVancel, Licensed Psychologist for the Scanlan Center for School Mental Health Clinic.
Headshot of Jess Pavelich

Jess Pavelich, BSW

Title/Position
Social Worker, Scanlan Center for School Mental Health Clinic
Headshot of Kaitlin Pooch

Kaitlin Poock, LMSW

Title/Position
Social Worker, Scanlan Center for School Mental Health Clinic

Student Clinicians

gennifer headshot

Gennifer Humphreys

Title/Position
Student Clinician, Scanlan Center for School Mental Health Clinic
School Psychology Doctoral Program, University of Iowa
Margaret headshot

Margaret Nienaber

Title/Position
Student Clinician, Scanlan Center for School Mental Health Clinic
Master of Social Work Program, University of Iowa
Meet Margaret Nienaber, Student Clinician for the Scanlan Center for School Mental Health Clinic.
Headshot of Alex Persons

Alexander Persons, MSEd

Title/Position
Student Clinician, Scanlan Center for School Mental Health
Counseling Psychology Doctoral Program, University of Iowa

Support Staff

Alex Bentler headshot

Alex Bentler

Title/Position
Clinic Services Coordinator, Scanlan Center for School Mental Health Clinic
Chad Canfield

Chad Canfield

Title/Position
Billing Specialist, Scanlan Center for School Mental Health Clinic

Contact the Clinic

Email: scsmh-clinic@uiowa.edu

For insurance or billing questions: scsmh-clinic-billing@uiowa.edu

Phone: 319-467-4526

Fax: 319-467-0431

Address:
500 Blank Honors Center
Iowa City, Iowa 52240

Disclaimer

The information and resources contained on this website are for informational purposes and are not intended to assess, diagnose, or treat any medical and/or mental health condition. The information obtained from this site is not a substitute for medical or mental health care. This website includes links to other websites for informational and reference purposes only. The Scanlan Center for School Mental Health Clinic does not endorse or guarantee the services or information described or offered at these other websites.