Here when you need support most.

Trauma, grief, and loss affect each school community differently. Expert clinicians customize post-crisis support to provide the mental health services needed to meet your unique needs.

Tailored support for K-12 schools following a crisis

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Crisis is chaotic. It pulls us in so many different directions and can feel like there are too many fires to put out at once. This can be overwhelming and prevent us from making effective decisions, leaving us feeling confused, anxious, vulnerable, afraid, angry, helpless, and so many other things.

Our dedicated team of mental health clinicians is available to deploy to your school to provide your school community with tailored support following sudden deaths or natural disasters.

We collaborate with each school to determine the most effective solutions for students and staff. Key services include:

School Post-Crisis Support
  • On-site individual and/or group crisis debriefing and support for students and school staff.
  • PAUSE Room, where students and staff can connect with a trained mental health professional, understand common reactions to crisis and trauma, learn strategies to navigate grief and loss, practice mindfulness activities, problem solve with support, learn coping skills, and discuss life stressors. 
Individual Post-Crisis Support
  • Short-term individual support for K-12 students and school staff needing additional intervention following participation in school crisis debriefing and support services.
Crisis Team Support
  • Virtual peer consultation, debriefing, and support for school-based crisis teams following a crisis event.

Post-crisis services must be requested by a school administrator, school mental health provider, or the AEA.

To learn more and customize a post-crisis support plan for your school, email scsmh-clinic@uiowa.edu.

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

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

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

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.