Creative Counseling Group, PLC

05/13/2026

Your mental health is just as important as your physical health.

In a fast-paced world, it is incredibly easy to brush your emotional needs aside. But lingering stress, anxiety, or emotional fatigue are real signs that your body and mind need a moment to rest.
We have counselors available taking appointments as early as next week. Give Carrie a call and she can get you scheduled.

04/28/2026

Joan Deluhery-Wagemester, MSW, LISW
Joan Deluhery-Wagemester earned her master’s degree in social work from the University of Iowa. She is a licensed independent social worker (LISW). Joan’s bachelor's degree is in Therapeutic Recreation from the University of Iowa, and she worked as a recreation therapist from 1989 to 2018. In 2018, she began working full-time as a mental health counselor. As an LISW, she has worked with individuals with anxiety, depression, grief, life adjustments and transitions, trauma, and post-traumatic stress disorder, emotional regulation, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), adjustment disorders, blended families, and parent-child relationship complications.
Joan has training in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), solution-focused therapy, family therapy, motivational interviewing, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR), collaborative assessment and management of suicidality, and is a certified grief-informed professional. She uses a strength-based approach to find practical solutions that work for individuals and families. For an appointment, call 319-200-1022.

04/28/2026

Jessica Stricker, MS, t-LMHC

Jessica Stricker graduated from Upper Iowa University in 2025 with a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology. She is a temporary Licensed Mental Health Counselor (t-LMHC) and is supervised by Dr. Michelle Takes, PhD, LMHC, ADHD-CCSP, ACS. Before pursuing her career as a mental health counselor, Jessica graduated from Kirkwood Community College as a Registered Nurse (RN) with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN).
Jessica enjoys working with teens, adults, couples, and has training and experience working with anxiety, depression, trauma, parenting skills, sexuality, and is LGBTQ+ affirming. Jessica's approach includes using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and has received training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), sports psychology, and sexology. For an appointment, call 319-200-1022.

04/28/2026

Miquel Anastasia-Melchert, MA, LMHC
Miquel Anastasia-Melchert earned her master’s in counseling from the University of Northern Iowa in 2009. She worked full-time as a school counselor and part-time as a mental health counselor. Before becoming a licensed mental health counselor, Miquel received her undergraduate degree in elementary education from Loras College in 1997 and worked as an elementary and middle school teacher.
Since 2017, Miquel has worked full-time as a mental health counselor and has experience working with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, learning and behavioral issues, emotional regulation, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, trauma, crisis, parenting skills, divorce, infertility, grief, and LGBTQ+. Miquel is trained in and uses cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), solution-focused therapies, and accelerated resolution therapy (ART). For an appointment, call 319-200-1022.

04/28/2026

Kayla Orr, MSW, LISW
Kayla Orr earned her master’s degree in social work from the University of Northern Iowa in 2012. She is a licensed independent social worker (LISW). In 2010, she received her bachelor's degree in psychology from Coe College. Kayla has worked in both inpatient and outpatient settings. As an LISW, she has worked with individuals with anxiety, depression, life transitions, trauma, and post-traumatic stress disorder, emotional regulation, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), adjustment disorders, and parent-child relationship complications.
Kayla is trained in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT), solution-focused therapy, play therapy, and crisis intervention. She relies on a strength-based, client-centered approach, collaborating with individuals and families to identify the most effective treatments. For an appointment, call 319-200-1022.

04/28/2026

Dr. Michelle Takes, PhD, LMHC, ADHD-CCSP, ACS
Dr. Michelle Takes earned her doctorate in Counseling Education and Supervision from Capella University in 2022. She graduated from Capella University in 2009 with a Master of Science in Human Services, specializing in Mental Health Counseling, and is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. During her 18 years of counseling, she has worked in both inpatient and outpatient settings. As a mental health counselor, she has worked with individuals with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder, eating disorders, body dysmorphic disorder, gender identity, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), adjustment disorders, family and relationship complications.
Dr. Takes utilizes different modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), and Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), and she specializes in assessing and treating ADHD and is a certified clinical service provider (ADHD-CCSP) for children and adults. To schedule an appointment, call 319-200-1022.

04/24/2026

A little counselor humor for your Friday! Remember, Creative Counseling Group's door is open, just call for an appointment at 319-200-1022.

04/22/2026

If day-to-day stress is impacting your work or relationships, talking with a therapist can help. We provide a safe, collaborative environment to develop your personal goals. Our certified therapists help you manage stress, anxiety, and life transitions using CBT, EMDR, and more. Conveniently located on River Ridge Dr. NE, Cedar Rapids, IA.

04/08/2026

NEW PROVIDER WITH OPENINGS!
Jessica Stricker is a temporary Licensed Mental Health Counselor with a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology from Upper Iowa University (2025) and an RN, ADN degree from Kirkwood Community College. After raising four children, she shifted careers to focus on mental health, recognizing her interest in patient wellbeing beyond physical care. Jessica works with teens, adults, couples, and specializes in anxiety, depression, trauma, crisis parenting, LGBTQ+, and sexuality.
Jessica mainly uses CBT and is expanding her practice to include ACT, DBT, sports psychology, and sexology.
Jessica spends her free time with her four children, reading, shopping, and volunteering at their schools and sports events.
Our life experiences shape us without defining who we become; they are just parts of our journey. Everyone deserves to pursue their own goals and ideas of success. Sometimes, these experiences create obstacles but overcoming them is like road construction—difficult at the time, but it leads to a smoother path ahead.

She is supervised by Dr. Michelle Takes, LMHC and is taking Wellmark, Iowa Total Care, Cigna, Wellpoint, and HealthPartners. Please Call to set up an appointment 319-200-1022.

03/16/2026

Creative Counseling Group will not see clients in office today due to snow, ice, and high winds. We have tried to contacted everyone to reschedule or offer telehealth. Please call 319-200-1022 tomorrow to book an appointment. Stay safe and warm today!!!

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01/11/2026