Meet Our Team

Waterloo Office

Aly is a licensed mental health counselor currently working with children and adolescents, families, and young adults. Aly utilizes a collaborative, person-centered approach and incorporates play therapy, creative artistic expression, and sand tray therapy modalities into her sessions. Aly also values trauma-informed and emotion-focused interventions which seek to empower individuals and families to take an active role in exploring and meeting their personal goals through emphasizing the value of holistic, mind and body wellness. Aly previously received a BA in psychology with an interest in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Iowa and a MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a child and adolescent counseling emphasis from Northwestern University and is a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC).

Diane is completing her internship at New Directions Counseling Services while earning her master’s degree from Walden University in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She is committed to help her clients discover their true Self by addressing inner thoughts and feelings. Her work focuses on identifying areas of concern and assisting clients as they address the underlying feelings. She believes in offering a safe space for her clients to gain insight. Diane is passionate about working with clients who suffer from narcissistic abuse, as well as clients who experience anxiety, depression, trauma, and grief. She enjoys assisting clients in discovering the power within themselves. She offers individual counseling and group therapy.

Laguanda graduated from the University of Northern Iowa in 2000 with a BA in Criminology. She has 22 years experience working in the Social Work field with 16 years as a BHIS provider. She has experience with Case Management as well. Laguanda likes working with all genders and ages, but especially teenage girls or single parent mothers with at-risk youth. She enjoys helping others become successful, has two children and enjoys traveling.

Bret has spent 22 years working with children and families in Black Hawk county and surrounding areas. While in college, Bret gained experience completing a 350 hour practicum with the Cedar Falls Police Department, volunteered for Juvenile Court Services, and completed an ethics practicum at the Eldora State Training School. Since graduating from UNI in 1999 Bret has worked at the Black Hawk county youth shelter, Bremwood Lutheran Children’s home, Mid Iowa Family Therapy Clinic, Families First, and came on board at New Directions in April of 2020. Bret is committed to his continued work in the Cedar Valley and enjoys working with male adolescents between the ages of 11 and 17. Bret also uses evidence-based practice and has a variety of curriculum to teach skills such as decision making, improved communication strategies, conflict resolution, cognitive flexibility, coping mechanisms, and many others.

Madi graduated from the University of Northern Iowa in December 2022 with her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. Along with her major in Psychology, she also obtained a minor in Family Studies and a minor in Mental Health. She is currently in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Master’s Program at the University of Northern Iowa, where she is working to become a licensed therapist. Madi has a passion for working with children and looks forward to helping children and families reach their goals and improve their relationships. Outside of work, Madi enjoys spending time with family and friends and traveling whenever she gets the chance.

Nicole received her Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas. Nicole completed both her practicum and internship through New Directions Counseling Services. She provides mental health therapy for individuals, couples, and teenagers and addresses issues related to depression, anxiety, life stressors, anger, marriage, grief and attachment.

Decorah Office

Tracy holds a safe, warm, non-judgmental space to work with diverse clients throughout the adult lifespan, inclusive of elder adults. She is passionate about counseling individuals through challenges within family, life-stage, and career transitions. Her experience includes working with women in peer support groups. Having lived overseas for many years, she values working with multicultural individuals of varied experiences and backgrounds. Tracy holds her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Viterbo University, La Crosse, WI.

Tracy’s counseling practice incorporates an integrative approach including Cognitive, Cognitive-Behavioral, Reality, and Brief Solution-focused therapies. Mindfulness, meditation, and relaxation techniques are integrated into her counseling support. She enjoys sharing the journey of life with her clients and seeks to empower each individual through focusing on their own internal strengths and abilities. Her goal is to support each client in being the best version of themselves at their particular stage of life. Tracy works with clients experiencing symptoms of adjustment disorders, depression, anxiety, other mood disorders, life transitions, stress, relationship concerns/changes, work-life balance issues, parenthood, self-esteem, aging and grief, as well as other areas. She co-creates a positive and rewarding path forward through healing, encouragement, empowerment, and motivation.

“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better you do better.” ~ Maya Angelou

Madie supports clients of all ages from toddlers to teenagers to adults and families with various mental, emotional, and behavioral health goals. Additionally, she provides Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) for families with young children with oppositional and/or aggressive behaviors.

Madie earned her Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree from Viterbo University in La Crosse, WI. In the past, she provided in-home, family-based mental health services in the Northeast Iowa area.

She celebrates the diverse identities and cultures of her clients including those in the disability community and LGBTQ+ community. When she’s not working, she enjoys exploring the outdoors on a run, bike, hike, or canoe.

Betsy is a licensed clinical mental health therapist who believes in meeting her clients where they are at by using whichever approach works best for their particular personality and problem. She has a particular passion for helping parents to understand their children through a compassionate and neurorelational perspective. Additionally, she is a committed advocate for the LGBTQIA population and provides a warm, welcoming and safe space for all her clients. Betsy received her Master of Sciences degree in Mental Health Counseling from Viterbo University in La Crosse, WI. Her office is located in Decorah, and she sees clients from all across Iowa. Betsy loves working with all ages of clients from 3-75 for issues such as anxiety, depression, ODD, ADHD, ASD, Trauma, PTSD etc. She has completed The Theraplay Institute’s Level 1 and MIM training and is currently in the Practicum level of training. She uses elements of Theraplay in her work with children and families to help build attunement and connection and to reduce baffling behaviors related to trauma, neurodiversity, and/or attachment related issues. She also uses trauma informed care, CBT, somatic exercises, and mindfulness in her practice, along with neuro-relational based attachment principles from Theraplay.

In her practice, Mariah works with adults and adolescents and offers individual and couples counseling services and welcomes clients from all backgrounds, including members of the LGBTQ+ community. Mariah’s clients include those who have experienced or are experiencing trauma, partner/intimate relationship challenges, anxiety, and/or depression and she incorporates a mix of acceptance and commitment therapy, cognitive behavior therapy, and family systems therapy.

Mariah incorporates self-compassion and self-acceptance methods and mindfulness in her work with clients and has completed Level I training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy and uses Gottman Method Couples therapy in her work.

Mariah earned her Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree from Viterbo University in La Crosse, WI.