Process life events and develop coping skills.

Tailored support for K-12 schools following a crisis

group icon

The SCSMH Clinic currently offers the following group counseling opportunities:

  • Supporting Caregivers of Youth with Suicidal Thoughts & Self-Harm
  • Distress Tolerance Skills Group for Teens
  • Educator Empowerment Group
  • Supportive Parents for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) Group
  • Coping with Grief and Loss Group

Group enrollment occurs on a rolling basis. Groups require a minimum number of participants to run. Please email us at scsmh-clinic@uiowa.edu to indicate your interest in a group, and you will be contacted the next time that group is being offered. 

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.

Group couseling session with five adults sitting a circle and talking

Supporting Caregivers of Youth with Suicidal Thoughts & Self-Harm

a virtual/in-person counseling group for Iowa parents and caregivers

Want to join a future session? We're building our roster for upcoming groups. Email scsmh-clinic@uiowa.edu to let us know you are interested. We'll contact you as soon as we have enough participants to begin.


What to Expect

Caring for youth who have experienced suicidal thoughts and/or self-harm can feel overwhelming and isolating. If you are looking for support, consider joining our 8-week Supporting Caregivers of Youth with Suicidal Thoughts & Self-Harm Group.

This group is aimed at helping you learn about youth suicide and self-harm, develop skills in supporting yourself and your child, and connect with others in a confidential, supportive space.

This group is open to parents/caregivers of Iowa K-12 students.

The group will meet either online or in-person 1x per week for 60 minutes over 8 weeks.

Group of high school students talking with a counselor in a library

Distress Tolerance Skills Group

an in-person counseling group for Iowa teens

Want to join a future session? We're building our roster for upcoming groups. Email scsmh-clinic@uiowa.edu to let us know you are interested. We'll contact you as soon as we have enough participants to begin.


What to Expect

Emotional dysregulation can make daily life feel overwhelming. Through our 7-week DBT skills group, teens will gain tools for responding to emotional intensity in healthier ways.

Together, participants will build skills in:

  • Distress Tolerance – surviving tough situations without making things worse
  • Mindfulness – staying present and increasing awareness to gain more control

Before joining, each student will meet with one of our clinicians for a diagnostic evaluation and intake session. This ensures the group is the right fit and provides students and parents/caregivers with helpful information.

Who can join? This group is open to 13-17-year-old Iowa K-12 students who experience challenges with anxiety, depression, impulsivity, self-harm, and/or thoughts of suicide. 

When and where? This group will meet 1x per week for 60 minutes over 7 weeks at the Blank Honors Center on the University of Iowa campus. 

Group of five adult sitting in circle talking

Educator Empowerment Group

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

Want to join a future session? We're building our roster for upcoming groups. Email scsmh-clinic@uiowa.edu to let us know you are interested. We'll contact you as soon as we have enough participants to begin.


What to Expect

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 from 4 -5 PM 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.

man sitting in front of computer with a virtual meeting on the screen

SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) Group

a virtual counseling group for parents wanting to better support their child’s anxious emotions

Want to join a future session? We're building our roster for upcoming groups. Email scsmh-clinic@uiowa.edu to let us know you are interested. We'll contact you as soon as we have enough participants to begin.


What to Expect

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

This group is open to parents/caregivers of Iowa K-12 students who have anxious emotions or OCD.

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

Group of eight adults sitting in a circle talking

Coping with Grief and Loss Group

a virtual counseling group for Iowa K-12 school/AEA staff and parents/caregivers of K-12 students experiencing loss

Want to join a future session? We're building our roster for upcoming groups. Email scsmh-clinic@uiowa.edu to let us know you are interested. We'll contact you as soon as we have enough participants to begin.


What to Expect 

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).

Helpful Information

Preparing for Your Initial Appointment

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 clinical services. We will also request a copy of your insurance card, if applicable. After these forms have been completed, Scanlan Center for School Mental Health clinic staff will contact the client/family to schedule an initial appointment.

Psychiatric Diagnostic Evaluation:

Prior to beginning SCSMH clinical services, the client will complete a Psychiatric Diagnostic Evaluation. For minor clients, the parent/legal guardian(s) will also attend this appointment.

The purpose of the Psychiatric Diagnostic Evaluation is to:

  • Assess mental health symptoms
  • Obtain an initial psychiatric diagnosis
  • Guide goals
  • Determine medical necessity for treatment

The Psychiatric Diagnostic Evaluation is typically a 60 to 90-minute appointment that involves a thorough interview and review of intake paperwork, and may also include the completion of rating scales. For child and adolescent clients, information will be obtained from both the client and the client’s parent/legal guardian. Intake decisions are based on client needs and clinician availability.

Fees and Insurance

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

SCSMH billable clinicians are credentialed with most major insurance companies.  If you wish to have the SCSMH Clinic 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 student clinicians cannot be billed to insurance. There are no fees for individual counseling services delivered by student clinicians.  

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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Privacy Practices and Confidentiality

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

The Scanlan Center for School Mental Health clinic coordinates with school districts to support the needs of students, educators, and staff in schools. Our staff adheres to confidentiality and privacy laws in the provision of services. For students receiving SCSMH clinical services while at school, some communication with school staff may be beneficial for best addressing the broad needs of a client. 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

Where are SCSMH clinical services delivered?

SCSMH Clinic

The Scanlan Center for School Mental Health Clinic is located on the University of Iowa campus in Iowa City, Iowa. Clients local to the area may choose to seek in-person services at our clinic. 

Telehealth

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.

Parking Information

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.

Resources

Clinic Staff

Headshot of Alissa Doobay

Alissa Doobay, PhD

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

Title/Position
Social Worker, 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, PhD

Title/Position
Licensed Psychologist, 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, BA

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

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.