ABOUT US
DAVID BEEMAN
Ph.D., Psychologist, Clinical Director.
David obtained his doctorate in psychology from Iowa State University in 1992 after completing his undergraduate work at the University of Notre Dame. He has been working in the field full time since 1990. In addition to administrative, supervisory, and assessment duties, he provides counseling services primarily to adolescents and adults. He is experienced in the treatment of a wide range of conditions, including but not limited to ADHD, behavior disorders, depression, anxiety, trauma, grief/loss, and school problems.
Dr. Beeman has a strong background in assessment of children, adolescents, and adults including psychological, educational, emotional, cognitive, and perceptual aspects of psychological evaluations and neuropsychological screenings. He has expertise in evaluations of ADHD and learning. He holds a contract with Juvenile Court Services to conduct forensic psychological evaluations. He also conducts evaluations for the Department of Human Services.
He has a deep desire to maintain a quality standard of assessments, to develop treatment alternatives, and to recognize the need to address learning issues as related to an individual’s functioning as a whole. David serves as the director of assessment and psychological services (including counseling, EEG Neurotherapy, and Cognitive Rehabilitation). He views a psychological assessment as an opportunity to understand an individual’s strengths and weaknesses in the context of their life so as to intervene in a meaningful way. He views the quality of counseling as starting with the quality of the relationship that is built. He has a strong belief in an individual’s ability to meet their lives in a fulfilling, values-driven way.
[email protected]
SUSAN SMITH HELKENN
Licensed Social Worker
Susan joined our practice in 2009 to add neurotherapy to her range of skills and treatment modalities. ILP was a good fit for Susan’s unique range of practical and clinical experiences, having served adults and children in the mental health and medical field for over 15 years.
Susan is certified as a Child Life Specialist, holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Sociology-Anthropology from Nebraska Wesleyan University and a Master's in Social Work from the University of Iowa.
Clinical interests include adjustment disorder, anxiety, depression, school related problems, relationship issues, grief/loss as well as medical trauma and stress. Susan strives to schedule new clients promptly and is accepting referrals for adults, adolescents, and children.
[email protected]
DUSTY BAKER
Ph.D., Psychologist
Dusty Baker received his B.S. in Psychology from Drake University in 2008, and his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Iowa State University in 2016.
He works from a humanistic and emotion-focused perspective, and views self-critical beliefs as the core to most concerns that bring people to therapy. Dr. Baker believes approaching their concerns from a non-judgmental perspective with self-compassion allows the client to feel safe in the exploration and incorporation of new perspectives that helps foster personal growth in the client's life. Honoring the client’s unique multicultural identity is also emphasized to better understand how self-critical beliefs developed and how those beliefs can be challenged with respect to each client’s personal and cultural values.
Dr. Baker works with a wide variety of concerns and has special interests in psychological assessment, ADHD, trauma, and vocational concerns. He also enjoys clinical supervision, teaching, and is a firm believer in the power of humor.
[email protected]
AMY PARKER REID, LMSW
“The willingness to show up changes us. It makes us a little braver each time.” –Brené Brown
Hi! I’m Amy Parker Reid. I am a master’s level social worker in central Iowa with over 15 years of experience working with children, teens, and young adults. While on my journey I have gained a deep understanding of Iowa’s mental health system, community resources in the DSM Metro and surrounding areas, and special education services. As a former special education teacher and counselor, I have seen first-hand how difficult adjusting to new circumstances, routines, and relationships can bring about intense emotions and challenging behaviors. These stressors can often lead to a pattern of negative interactions and power struggles which can leave parents feeling frustrated, powerless, and even embarrassed.
I specialize in helping caregivers, children, and adolescents tune into each other and change negative patterns. Child-centered play therapy can help all children, especially those with psychological, mental, and emotional health issues express their emotions constructively. It can also help children who struggle to communicate because of developmental delays, ADHD, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD). For adolescents, I focus on providing a safe space focused on trust, connection, empathy, and resilience, while addressing harmful behaviors and developing valuable skills.
I also enjoy helping adults to learn new skills to deal with anxiety, depression, ADHD, grief and loss, life transitions, peer relationships, and personal growth.
I provide a free 15-minute consultation and am currently offering in-person sessions. The path to strong relationships can begin today!
[email protected]