Board Members
Our volunteer board members work hard to support mental health counseling through networking, advocacy, continuing education and public relations. Please contact them if you have questions, suggestions, or want to learn about volunteer opportunities. General expectations of board members are that they attend quarterly board meetings, participate in an annual board retreat, help plan the programing of IMHCA and participate in committee meetings (based on their chair or interest). “Chairs” listed below chair a committee to accomplish their tasks and programming goals. The new planning year starts annually July. Most meetings are held virtually or with a virtual option. We love having representation from across the state.
Board Positions
If you are interested in nominating yourself for a board position, please check out the job descriptions for various chairs on the Board of Directors to help you understand the expectations of each role:
Apply through our nomination form.
Open positions may be filled as applications come in if the open position is able to be appointed. Annually there will be a call for applications to fill scheduled openings and elected positions. This call will occur April through June with anticipated start in July. Partial terms will be appointed according to our bylaws.
Committees
Not yet ready for a board positions? Do you want to support specific programming? Do you have skills that are specific to committee work?
Join a committee! Our committees carry out the work needed to ensure programming is successful.
President
Jennifer Becker, 2025-2027
president@imhca.net
Jennifer (she/her) started her education in the field of Psychology, and earned her Bachelor's in Psychology from Coe College, immediately followed by her Master's in Clinical Psychology from Argosy University. She went on to earn credentials as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in Iowa, in addition to Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) credentials in Colorado. Jennifer is passionate about Clinical Supervision, and earned her Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS) credential in 2021. She has worked in the field as a clinician, administrator, trainer, and supervisor. Jennifer founded Insight Therapy Group in Cedar Rapids, IA where she provides mental health counseling for teens and adults. She currently sits on the DIAL Board of Behavioral Science advisory committee as one of two LMHC representatives for the state of Iowa, and actively engages in social justice advocacy in the context of mental health. 
Past President
Kristten Buttermore, 2025-2027
pastpresident@imhca.net
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 a Creative Counseling Services in Ames, IA where she provides internship opportunities for masters level students. She also founded Cultivate Wellness, PLLC which is a private practice in Ames. Kristten has previous board experience in non-profits and started with IMHCA as treasurer. We appreciate her dedication to the organization over the years. 
President Elect
2026-2027
This board position is open! Click here to submit a nomination for this position.
Treasurer
Bethany Zeitz, 2025-2027
treasurer@imhca.net
Bethany (she/her) graduated from Capella University in 2017 with a MS in Mental Health Counseling and is currently working on a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision through the University of the Cumberlands. She has worked in the mental health field since 2010 with experience in case management, residential treatment, and in home services before moving into a role as a mental health counselor. She worked in community and school based mental health, EAP services, and co-occurring services before transitioning to private practice. Bethany is currently working at Pink Couch Wellness in Ankeny. Bethany is passionate about building support and wellness for other mental health counselors and hopes to focus her dissertation research on this topic. When she's not working or studying she enjoys spending time with her three dogs and her husband.
Website Chair
2025-2027
This board position is open! Click here to submit a nomination for this position.
Secretary
Rachel Swanson, 2025-2027
secretary@imhca.net
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. 
Legislative and Public Policy Committee Chair
Dr. Allison Levine, 2024-2026
legislativechair@imhca.net
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. 
Legislative and Public Policy Co-Chair
Anna Murphy, 2025-2027
legislativecochair@imhca.net
Anna Murphy earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Studio Arts from the University of Iowa in 2012 and her Master of Science in Art Therapy and Counseling from The College of New Rochelle in 2015. Throughout her career, Anna has worked with a diverse range of populations, including individuals with co-occurring disorders, children with behavioral challenges, adults in crisis, adolescents involved in the juvenile court system, and families engaged with DHHS. Anna has advanced her clinical training with specialized education in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and intends to pursue full certification in both modalities. She is the owner and therapist at Healing Connections in Sioux City, where she is dedicated to supporting individuals as they navigate trauma, life transitions, and other environmental stressors. Anna remains passionate about fostering healing, resilience, and growth through a compassionate, client-centered approach.
Membership Chair
2025-2026
This board position is open! Click here to submit a nomination for this position.
Networking and Communications Chair
2026-2027
This board position is open! Click here to submit a nomination for this position.
Conference Committee Chair
Rebecca Spiess, 2024-2026
conferencechair@imhca.net
Rebecca received her bachelor's degrees in Psychology and Biochemistry from the University of Northern Iowa in 2008. She completed her master's degree in Mental Health Counseling from Drake University in 2014 and has been providing outpatient therapy services with New Beginnings Counseling Service since. Building upon a passion to continue to learn and develop therapeutic skills for her clients, Rebecca became certified in EMDR in 2017 and a Registered Play Therapist in 2019. She is trained in AutPlay, TheraPlay, and DDP. Rebecca began providing supervision in 2019 with the goal to help future counselors in developing their own areas of expertise and continuing to pursue professional development. In 2022, Rebecca joined Drake University as a Clinical Visiting Assistant Professor, teaching courses and working to bridge the gap between coursework and practice. Rebecca thoroughly enjoys the Conference Committee Chair role and being a member of the IMHCA Board.
Conference Committee Co-Chair
Jennifer Gauerke, 2025-2027
conferencecochair@imhca.net
Jen Gauerke started her clinical career at House of Mercy, where she became a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) while in graduate school. Working with clients there she became aware of the prevalence of trauma in the addiction community and made that her specialty as an LMHC. From there Jen moved into private practice and earned the Certified Group Psychotherapist (CGP) designation from the American Group Psychotherapy Association. In 2024 she created her private practice, Solace Therapy and Consulting, in Des Moines, where she facilitates group and individual sessions for adults. Jen has participated in IMHCA’s conference nearly every year since grad school, as a volunteer and presenting on addiction, trauma, and clinician resilience.
Continuing Education Chair
2025-2027
This board position is open! Click here to submit a nomination for this position.
Member-at-Large
Amanda Wentworth Puentes, 2025-2027
memberatlarge1@imhca.net
Amanda (she/her) obtained her Bachelors in Psychology and Criminal Justice from Buena Vista University and her Master's in Mental Health Counseling from University of Northern Iowa. Amanda has worked in a variety of settings including; corrections, youth residential, and non profit organizations. Amanda started AWP Therapy which is a private practice in Des Moines. Amanda is a member of Postpartum International (PSI) and is passionate about serving families and individuals that struggle with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders as well as supporting parents as their children age. Amanda also has training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to support clients in their healing journeys. 
Member-at-Large
Cindy Boyle, 2025-2027
memberatlarge2@imhca.net
Cynthia (Cindy) R. Boyle is the Executive Director and Lead Counselor at Boyle Counseling & Consulting. She has an M.A. in Mental Health Counseling and is currently completing her dissertation research on the topic of ableism in counselor education. She is active in the Waterloo/Cedar Falls community providing outreach services and enjoys collaborating with schools and other agencies to provide clients with the best possible services available. Cindy holds the highest professional counseling licenses in Iowa (LMHC), Michigan (LPC), Wisconsin (LPC) and Montana (LCPC). She is also a Certified Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional (CCATP) and Certified TeleMental Health provider (CTMH). She has been an IMHCA member for the last two decades and has enjoyed presenting at conferences and is happy to be serving on the IMHCA board again. Cindy also serves on the AMHCA conference planning committee, the AMHCA disability task force and co-chairs the accessibility committee for the Rocky Mountain Association for Counselor Educators. 
Student Representative
Merzudin Gurda, 2025-2027
studentmember1@imhca.net
Merzudin (he/him) is a graduate student at Liberty University, majoring in clinical mental health counseling. Prior to his interest in the mental health field, he worked at the county jail, where he interacted with individuals who suffered from many different mental health issues. He is completing his internship at the House of Mercy. Merzudin has a strong interest in addiction and trauma. Merzudin received his bachelor’s degree in Criminology from Grand View University in 2009. In 2012, Merzudin received his master’s degree in Criminal Justice from Purdue Global. After taking a break from school for about a year, Merzudin decided to continue with his doctoral degree. Merzudin received his Doctor of Psychology degree with an emphasis in Criminology and Justice Studies from the University of Arizona Global Campus. Merzudin is an adjunct professor of psychology at DMACC.
Student Representative
2025-2026
This board position is open! Click here to submit a nomination for this position.
Advocate Member Chair
2025-2026
This board position is open! Click here to submit a nomination for this position.
Advocate Member Chair
This board position is open! Click here to submit a nomination for this position.