Creating a Path for a Peaceful Mind

Echo Kent is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and owner of Peaceful Mindset Counseling with a long-standing passion for mental health, wellness, and healing. She holds Bachelor’s degrees in Psychology (Iowa State University) and Criminology (University of Northern Iowa), and earned her Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Mount Mercy University. Echo provides therapy for individuals, couples, and families. Her approach is compassionate, somatic, experiential, and grounded in the belief that healing happens when people feel safe, connected, and attuned to their inner world. She is trained in Somatic Internal Family Systems (SIFS), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and IFIO (Intimacy from the Inside Out), an IFS-based model that supports couples in healing relational wounds and strengthening connection. Her clinical interests include trauma and abuse, relationship relationships, anxiety, depression, and self-esteem/ body image issues. In addition to clinical work, Echo offers clinical supervision for both temporary and fully licensed marriage and family therapists, mental health counselors, and social workers. Outside of work, Echo enjoys gardening, hiking, camping, biking, and snuggling with her pets — which is her favorite way to regulate her own nervous system.

Ashley is a Temporary Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who believes that therapeutic change happens together—through collaboration, authenticity, humor, and connection. Drawing from a humanistic and experiential approach, she works to create a safe, affirming space where individuals, partners, and families can explore their stories, embrace growth, and work toward healing. Ashley (a lifelong Cyclone fan) earned her Bachelor’s degree from Iowa State University before completing her Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy at Mount Mercy University. Before becoming a therapist, Ashley worked in domestic violence survivor advocacy and with youth in residential treatment, experiences that deepened her commitment to helping people feel safe, seen, and empowered. Her clinical interests include working with children and adolescents, premarital and couples counseling, queer and trans experiences, and supporting those healing from religious trauma. Ashley especially loves helping clients navigate identity, relationship dynamics, and family systems with compassion and creativity. Outside the therapy room, Ashley finds joy in time with her loved ones and her dogs, Bee and Miggy. She loves connecting with her community, exploring the Midwest music scene, and is continually inspired by kindness, storytelling, and the ways people make meaning in their lives.

Brandon Schmidt is a temporary licensed mental health counselor who enjoys helping individuals work through life’s challenges and build healthier, more balanced lives. He holds a Master’s degree in Cognitive Neuroscience from the University of Iowa and a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Bradley University. Brandon works with individuals experiencing concerns such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, stress, and past trauma. He uses cognitive-behavioral, solution-focused, and strengths-based approaches to help clients develop coping skills, manage difficult emotions, and move toward their personal goals. Brandon believes everyone deserves a place where they feel safe, respected, and heard, and he strives to create a supportive, nonjudgmental environment where clients can explore their experiences and make meaningful changes. Before becoming a therapist, Brandon worked in public health and research supporting veterans with traumatic brain injuries and individuals living with HIV, experiences that strengthened his commitment to compassionate, empathetic care. Outside of work, Brandon enjoys staying active through exercise, rock climbing, and mountain biking with his children. He also enjoys gardening, live music, and traveling. Brandon is currently accepting new clients.

Caroline Gimarc is a tLMFT who graduated from Kansas State University with her PhD in Couple and Family Therapy and Texas Tech University with her master's degree in Couple, Marriage, and Family Therapy. Caroline enjoys working with couples, individual adults, and adolescents 14 and over. Her clinical interests include grief, anxiety, depression, ADHD, and major life transitions. Caroline utilizes experiential and emotionally focused approaches when working with clients and has training in Acceptance and Commitment (ACT) Therapy. Caroline believes that by working to better the mind, space is created to focus on other aspects of life. In her free time, Caroline enjoys getting outside to run, hike, camp, bike, and kayak with friends and family. She also enjoys curling up with a good book and crocheting with her cat.

Catherine Vander Zee is a licensed independent social worker (LISW) who has completed her Bachelor's in Social Work from the University of Iowa and her Master's in Social Work from Colorado State University. She specializes in working with individuals who are dealing with anxiety, depression, and relationship issues. Catherine is trained in various therapeutic modalities, including Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Solution Focus. By integrating these approaches, she strives to help individuals overcome their challenges and improve their overall mental health and well-being. In her spare time, Catherine enjoys traveling, being outdoors, and spending time with family and friends.

Cristy is a Board Certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner who graduated from Iowa State University in 2011 with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Kinesiology. She then pursued her nursing career at Kirkwood Community College and Graceland University and obtained a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Nursing, as well as a Master’s of Science degree in Psychiatric Mental Health. She specializes in ADHD, antepartum and postpartum medication management, depression and anxiety, and mood disorders. Prior to becoming a PMHNP, she took an RN position working at the bedside as a mother baby nurse at St. Luke’s Birthcare Center where she has been working for the past 8 years. There, she received a daisy award and three guardian angel awards. She has a strong passion for neonates and continues to work some shifts here and there purely out of the joy she gets out of the job. Outside of work, Cristy enjoys homemaking, spending time with her family, going to concerts, and watching movies. She feels strongly about patient advocacy and states: “I believe that patient advocacy lies at the heart of advanced nursing practice. Patient advocacy means that every voice is heard, every concern is addressed, and every individual is treated with respect and dignity, regardless of their background or circumstances. I prioritize patient education, shared decision-making, and encouraging patients to take an active role in their health journey. I am dedicated to using my clinical expertise, ethical foundation, and compassion to bridge gaps in care and to uphold the principles of advocacy that define the nursing profession. My goal is to ensure that every patient feels seen, heard, and valued—because true healing begins when patients know they have an advocate in their corner.”

Elizabeth Miller-White, MA, LMFT, is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Elizabeth provides a compassionate and collaborative space for clients to explore their experiences and goals. She believes in creating a safe, supportive environment where healing and growth can take place. Elizabeth works with adults and teens (12+) navigating life transitions, self-esteem challenges, anxiety, depression, ADHD, relationship concerns, domestic abuse recovery, and the impact of past or current trauma. Elizabeth’s therapeutic style is warm, nonjudgmental, empowering, and tailored to each client. Elizabeth primarily draws from Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Collaborative Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Sand Tray Therapy, supporting clients with both practical tools and meaningful insight. She offers a safe and affirming space for you to seek support with stress, trauma, relationship difficulties, or personal growth. Elizabeth is especially passionate about helping clients strengthen their self-talk, increase emotional resilience, and process difficult experiences. Elizabeth is currently accepting new clients and can be reached by phone or email. Outside of her practice, Elizabeth is an avid reader and passionate about photography-she loves capturing meaningful moments and creative compositions. Elizabeth also prioritize her own well-being through yoga, holistic health practices, and spending quality time with her dog and those close to her. These personal practices inform her beliefs in the importance of self-care, creativity, and connection in the healing process.

Jason Fiala is licensed Marriage and Family therapist (LMFT). Jason graduated from Mount Mercy University with a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and is currently in their PhD program. Jason’s goals in therapy are helping client’s find space for peace, calmness, and fulfillment in their relationships with others and personally. Jason works with individuals, children ages 10 and older, and couples. Jason practices from an existential and attachment based experiential lens and use a wide variety of therapeutic approaches and techniques from Symbolic Experiential Family therapy, Neuroscience based Emotional regulation, Emotionally Focused therapy, Existential Psychotherapy, Systemic Sex therapy, and Jungian Exploration and Play therapy. Jason believes ever person is deserving and worthy of love, belonging, and being seen. He also have a clinical interest in Discernment Counseling to help partners discover and find clarity and confidence in determining if their relationship is still working for them any longer. Autism and neurodivergent welcome. LGBTQIA+ affirming. Fetish Life affirming. In his free time, Jason enjoys spending time with his family, friends, and loved ones. He loves going on long drives that help him reflect and experience the amazing and colorful world around us. He also loves to explore and binge Youtube documentaries.

Katie Moon is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and Clinical Supervisor. Katie received a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Coe College and a Master's Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Capella University. Katie enjoys working with adolescents (14 +) and adults using cognitive behavioral and solution focused approaches. Katie believes in the benefit of a strong therapeutic relationships and works collaboratively with her clients to help them achieve their goals. Clinical interests include depression, anxiety, life transitions, and stress management. Katie enjoys cooking, baking, the outdoors, running, and spending time with family. Katie sees clients both in-person and via telehealth.

Katie is a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) and graduated from Mount Mercy University. While Katie has experience working with a variety of concerns, she has special interest in perinatal and postpartum support in addressing anxiety, depression, mood changes, grief, and identity shifts during pregnancy and maternal mental health. It is Katie's hope to create a warm and compassionate therapeutic space where clients feel truly seen and heard. As a mom, it is her passion to help others overcome challenges on their path to parenthood, one step, one day at a time. Katie grounds her practice in a humanistic experiential approach infused with solution-focused elements, believing that you are the expert on your own life. She integrates humor, empathy, and authenticity to help you explore your feelings, identify your innate strengths, and develop practical strategies for growth. When not in therapy, Katie recharges by spending time with her partner and children, getting outside for kayaking, hiking, traveling to new places, and reading a good book.

Megan is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC). As a trained therapist and life coach, Megan strives to make therapy a safe space to explore feelings, fears, strengths, and to address thoughts that can block personal growth. Though engaging in therapy with Megan, gain the courage and strength to make positive decisions that support your emotional well-being. Through providing valuable insights, perspectives, and tools to support your mental and emotional wellbeing, she creates a supportive, non-judgmental safe space for her clients to share freely, learn effectively and grow. She provides outpatient therapy services to adults 18+ focusing on anxiety, career stress/direction, work/life blend, parenting/co-parenting, depression, divorce, faith/spirituality exploration, family/friends of individuals struggling with addiction, identity/personality exploration, phase of life transitions, postpartum and perinatal depression, relationships, self-esteem, stress, assertiveness, and boundary-setting. Megan received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Loras College and a Master of Arts degree in Mental Health Counseling from Ball State University. Outside of therapy, Megan enjoys spending quality time with her loved ones, walking her dog Annie, petting other dogs, hiking and watching her son's sports and activities. Megan is currently welcoming new clients.

Tiara Munoz is a temporary licensed Marriage and Family therapist (tLMFT). Tiara received both her Bachelors and Masters at Mount Mercy University, receiving her Bachelors in Criminal Justice and Psychology and Master's in Marriage and Family therapy. As an experiential therapist, Tiara is dedicated to creating safe and brave spaces where individuals, couples, and families can authentically connect with their emotions. Tiara's approach centers on the belief that healing happens through direct emotional experience and expression. By fostering trust, curiosity, and compassion, Tiara works to support clients in exploring their inner worlds, deepening relationships, and finding new ways of being. Whether working through past trauma, navigating conflict, or building emotional resilience, Tiara works to guide clients with presence and care as they reclaim their voices and create meaningful change.

Kama Meyer is the administrative assistant at PMC. Kama is often the very first friendly voice or friendly message clients receive. Kama makes sure things run smoothly behind the scenes- managing scheduling, client communications, office operations, and assisting with billing. She’s the glue that holds the details together- and we’re so grateful to have her. Outside of work, you’ll likely find her reading, spending time with family, hanging out with her cat, or attending a concert.