Meet Our Team
Highly Skilled Therapists
When you reach out to Ascent Therapy Group to schedule an appointment, you can expect to be connected with a compassionate, experienced, professional therapist who will help to guide you to mental wellbeing.
Andrew Beer, Ph.D., LMFT, RPT-S
Specialties:
Children; Autism Spectrum Disorder, Self-harm, and suicidal ideation, Families, College Students, Adults
Personal Statement:
On our journey through life, everyone has particularly difficult times or where we are ready to grow as people. When those times come, everyone deserves a space to work on and take care of themselves. My passion as a therapist is to help guide you or your loved ones toward that desired growth and help manage hardships life throws your way.
I am a doctoral level Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over six years of clinical experience working with children, adolescents, adults, college students, and families. Each person is unique, and as such, not all approaches are appropriate for everyone. As a result, I have dedicated myself to becoming a well-rounded therapist that can use a specific approach appropriate to the individual, family, or group that I am working with. To help meet these needs, I have been formally trained in Adlerian Play Therapy, AutPlay® Therapy, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical-Behavior Therapy (DBT), Family Systems Theory, Mindfulness, Narrative Therapy, Sandtray, and Solution-Focused Therapy.
I have experience working with ADHD, anxiety, autism, behavioral problems, college students, Conduct Disorder, depression, families, low self-esteem, ODD, self-harm and suicidal ideation, social skills, and trauma. I enjoy working with these populations individually, in the family setting, and group therapy. I would be honored to help you and/or your loved ones reach your goals and move toward your full potential.
Education:
Bachelor of Arts degree from Mountt Mercy University in Psychology
Master of Arts degree from Mount Mercy University in Marriage and Family Therapy
Doctor of Philosophy from The University of Iowa in Couple and Family Therapy
Tina Patterson, LMFT
Specialties:
Children, Teens, Adults, Couples, and Families
Developmental concerns including ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Anxiety, Depression, Adjustment to Life Events and Changes
Personal Statement:
Making that initial connection to set an appointment is one of the hardest things you will do in therapy. I want to be there to support that first step, and all the steps beyond that lead to your mental wellbeing. The therapeutic relationship between the therapist and client is vital to a successful outcome. I enjoy meeting new clients and helping them to see the capabilities they already have to make the best life possible. Together, we will develop a plan and craft the steps to make your path easier and help you achieve your goals.
I am here for individuals, couples, and families. I employ a variety of therapeutic approaches as needed by the individual client, including aspects of Mindfulness, Play Therapy, AutPlay, Family Systems, Solution Focus, Experiential, and Narrative therapies.
Education:
Bachelor of Science degree from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in Special Education
Master of Arts degree from University of Iowa in Education/ Rehabilitation Counseling
Master of Arts degree from Mount Mercy University in Marriage and Family Therapy
Tonya Niehaus, LMSW
Specialties:
Adlerian-play therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Narrative
Personal Statement:
My first responsibility is to create a safe and comforting space for people to share their stories. We are all faced with difficult and overwhelming challenges in life. Therapy is a place and time where a person who is facing overwhelming life challenges comes for non-judgmental and honest but empathetic care.
My ever-evolving approach includes a variety of evidence-based therapeutic approaches, always starting with person-centered, strength-based, and including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), motivational interviewing, mindfulness, and trauma-focused therapies.It is also a collaborative space in which you are the driving force behind where you want therapy to take you. We work together to identify goals for our therapy and then a therapeutic plan to move toward those goals. This is a dynamic process of working on your issues, assessing progress, and adapting the approach where needed.
When a person decides to engage in therapy, they have already made a brave and healthy choice. I deeply believe that everyone has unwavering value, interpersonal dignity, and a compelling purpose. I consider it my privilege to help others find freedom and meaning and to live life to the fullest.
Education:
Bachelor of Social Work from Mt. Mercy University
Masters in Social Work from St. Ambrose University
Jenny Topliff, LISW
Specialties:
Adlerian-play therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Narrative Therapy
Personal Statement:
My mission is to advocate for and inspire people to heal through the most difficult times in their lives. Everyone has the potential to learn and grow from life experiences. My role is to provide a safe and nurturing environment during that journey. Vulnerability can be a powerful gift. It allows people to realize perfection is an illusion, and that it is OK to admit that we do not have all the answers and we may need to reach out for help. My goal is to help children and adults by guiding them through these feelings to guide and support them during this process.
I use a variety of different modalities that align with each client. I have training in Adlerian Play Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Mindfulness, Narrative Therapy, Sandtray, and Solution-Focused and Strength Based Therapy.
Taking that first step is the most difficult part for asking for help and support. I welcome you to reach out to me so I can accompany you and provide you with a safe environment to process those difficult feelings you may be experiencing.
Education:
Bachelor of Arts degree from University of Northern Iowa in Family Services
Masters in Social Work from University of Northern Iowa
