Board Members

Kristten (she/her) graduated from Iowa State University in 2000 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology. She went on to graduate from Drake University in 2003 with a Master’s in Education in Community Counseling. She has been providing mental health and substance abuse services since 2000, working in a variety of settings and roles. Kristten is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC). In 2008 she founded Creative Counseling Services in Ames, IA where she provides substance abuse and mental health services. Kristten has previous board experience in non-profits and started with IMHCA as treasurer. We appreciate her dedication to the organization over the years. EMAIL THE PRESIDENT

Kenya Rocha earned her Masters of Education and Community Counseling from Drake University. Kenya is an EMDRIA Certified EMDR therapist, an Approved EMDR Consultant, EMDR Basic & EMDR special populations trainer. Kenya is an NBCC Nationally Certified Counselor. Kenya enjoys being a part of the learning process for new clinicians and EMDR talents. Kenya is committed to providing excellence in service provision for clients is the owner of MOSAIC FAMILY Counseling Center Inc. Kenya has worked in the Des Moines community for more than 35 years where she continues providing healing services to families, children, couples and adults. Kenya is fluent in Spanish and English and provides treatment to many Latino individuals. As an EMDR therapist Kenya has a strong commitment to treating trauma in individuals or families and believes fully that healing can occur in every situation. After serving as Secretary for multiple terms, Kenya has been appointed to fill the past president role for a partial term. We are grateful to her service to IMHCA. EMAIL THE PAST PRESIDENT

Rachel Swanson completed her BS in Psychology at Iowa State University and her MS in Counseling Psychology at the University of Kansas. She currently works at Daybreak Counseling in West Des Moines, IA. Rachel is passionate about educating and normalizing healthy sexuality, as she pursues AASECT certification as a sex therapist and is a Sexual Offender Treatment Provider (level 2) through IBTSA and a clinical member of ATSA. Her dedication for growth and continued learning helped her serve as Continuing Education Chair and she has continued with the IMHCA board in an additional role as Secretary. Rachel loves spending time with her cat Poppy, traveling, and reading in her free time. EMAIL THE SECRETARY

Ellyn received her bachelors degree in Psychology from Iowa State University in 2012 and completed her Masters in Mental Health Counseling from South Dakota State University in 2014. Since then she has worked in a variety of settings and now is in private practice in Ames, specializing in trauma and LGBTQIA+ mental health. Ellyn is passionate about supporting and advocating for counselors in Iowa as the Legislative Chair for IMHCA. EMAIL THE LEGISLATIVE CHAIR

[email protected] Dr. Allison Levine is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Counselor Education at the University of Iowa. Prior to joining the University of Iowa in 2021, Dr. Levine worked as an Assistant Professor at the University of Kentucky. Dr. Levine completed her doctoral training at Michigan State University and maintains certification as a rehabilitation counselor and a nationally certified counselor. As a counselor, she worked previously with adults with psychiatric illnesses and transition-age youth with autism spectrum disorders. Dr. Levine conducts research on improving social justice and equity in the helping professions and particularly within counselor education. She produces scholarly work which seeks to advance the ways in which professionals in the helping professions experience social justice through their training and enact inclusion in their practices, with particular attention to disability and mental health biases. EMAIL THE LEGISLATIVE CO-CHAIR

Rachel Buddin-Young is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Iowa and Florida, and a Licensed Professional Counselor in Alaska and Texas. She is also certified by the State of Alaska as a Chemical Dependency Counselor II, is EMDR Certified and a Nationally Certified Counselor through NBCC. Additionally, she serves as the Vice President of the Alaska EMDR Network and has for the past four years and recently completed her service term on the Alaska State Board of Licensed Professional Counselors that is appointed by the governor. She earned her bachelors of science from Hardin Simmons University in Texas and her Masters in Mental Health Counseling from Capella University. Outside of the field, Rachel served for two years on the board of the Miss Alaska Volunteer Scholarship System and has been a military spouse for over twenty years. Rachel recently relocated back to her home state of Iowa as her husband retired from the military, where she intends to reside indefinitely. Her strong believe in making a difference in her community has brought her to now serve on the board for the Iowa Mental Health Counselors Association. EMAIL THE LEGISLATIVE CHAIR (INTERIM)

Jolena has been part of the mental health field for several years, beginning her career at group homes where she gained a deep understanding of the complexities faced by individuals with various diagnoses. She appreciates that each person has a unique narrative that shapes who they are. Jolena works closely with her clients to understand their therapy goals and supports them in becoming the best versions of themselves. She completed both her undergraduate and graduate studies at Drake University, earning her Master’s in Counseling in 2024. Prior to graduation, Jolena worked as a substance use disorder counselor and now serves as an outpatient therapist in both clinical and high school settings. Additionally, Jolena contributed to IMHCA as a student-at-large and participated in the conference planning committee. EMAIL THE MEMBERSHIP CHAIR

John received his Master of Science in Counseling from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa; and his undergraduate degree a BS in Liberal Arts/Psychology. John is also an adjunct faculty at Drake University and currently teaches Psychiatric Disorders, the DSM class within the graduate program for future LMHCs; he has taught this since fall semester of 2019. Prior to counseling John worked with children and adults with developmental, physical, cognitive needs. After graduating from graduate school John worked at New Beginnings Counseling Services. After 5 years (fully licensed) and 7 years total (provisional and full) John moved to private practice at Bisenius Counseling (creative name, right?). He has worked in private practice since February of 2020 in West Des Moines, and building a private practice in the midst of a pandemic was an interesting experience. John works with children and adults with neurotypical adolescents and adults, individuals with cognitive delays, ASD, and neuro-atypical individuals. John has taken trainings in EMDR, ACT, DBT, Polyvagal, and most recently completed training in Safe and Sound Protocol under the Polyvagal therapy/theory; which he hopes to integrate into his practice in the near future! John has been a part of the conference committee for several years, and most recently applied and accepted this position, the networking and communications chair. EMAIL THE NETWORKING CHAIR

[email protected] Donna Soliday received a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Dubuque in Dubuque, Iowa. She also received a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University in 2016. She is pursuing a doctorate degree in Counselor Education and Supervision and currently working on her dissertation to complete the degree. She served as a teaching assistant to several university professors of counselor education while taking doctorate classes. She would like to be a part of influencing and promoting the field of counseling which is why she has joined the IMHCA board.

Katrina Serfling, LMHC, has been an active IMHCA member prior to being on the board. She holds an undergraduate degree in psychology from Iowa State University (2009) and a MA in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Northern Iowa (2012), with a specialization in EMDR. Katrina has worked in mental health counseling since her internship at Pathways Behavioral Services in Waverly, IA. Katrina sees adults with complex and secondary trauma, depression, anxiety, narcissistic abuse, domestic violence history, and many other areas of struggle. She has expertise in therapeutic group facilitation, professional advocacy, and public speaking. As an EMDR Certified Therapist and EMDR Approved Consultant, Katrina implements EMDR therapy in counseling and engages in strong client relationships based on respect and genuine communication. Katrina additionally provides supervision for practicum students, interns, and temporarily licensed individuals in this practice. EMAIL THE MEMBER AT LARGE

Lindsay Weyer, tLMHC, is currently practicing at Goldfinch Counseling under the supervision of Schuyler Paxton, LMHC and is working toward full licensure. She holds a BS in psychology from Iowa State University (2021) and a MS in clinical mental health counseling from Buena Vista University (2024). Lindsay enjoys working with couples and individuals utilizing an integrated trauma-informed lens combining elements of psychodynamic, emotionally focused, internal family systems, and solution-focused therapies and will soon be trained in EMDR. She has a passion for working with clients who are struggling with c-PTSD, interpersonal conflict, and religious/spiritual trauma. Lindsay practices inclusive and person-centered therapy and is a sex-positive, LGBTQ+, and neurodivergent affirming counselor. She is looking forward to doing her part to further IMHCA's mission to bring mental health counselors and allies together to unify and amplify our voices and the voices of our clients as well as advocating for our interests in legislative spaces. EMAIL THE STUDENT-AT-LARGE MEMBER

[email protected] Ana has been a part of the mental health field for several years. She has been working with adults with complex mental illnesses meanwhile she attends Buena Vista University to obtain a master’s in clinical mental health counseling. She has an interest in addictions, trauma, and neurological and developmental disorders and is planning on furthering her education in these topics. Ana also has an interest in working with individuals in the Hispanic community.