Northwest Iowa Counseling

05/26/2026

We’ll keep the reminder short and sweet…

Voting for the Spencer Media Group People’s Choice Awards is still open, and we would be incredibly grateful for your support in the Mental Health Services category.

Northwest Iowa Counseling exists because of this community- the clients who trust us, the families who recommend us, the schools and organizations who partner with us, and the people who continue to cheer our team on year after year. Thank you for allowing us to do work that matters so deeply to us.

Friendly reminder: votes can be cast once daily! Link to vote is in comments.

05/22/2026

Another day, another gentle reminder to vote for your favorite local businesses in the Spencer Media Group People’s Choice Awards.

If Northwest Iowa Counseling has earned your support in the Mental Health Services category, we would truly appreciate your daily vote. Watching this practice grow over the last four years has been one of the greatest privileges, and we never take for granted the trust this community places in our team.

Thank you for cheering us on, supporting local mental health services, and helping us continue to do the work we love every single day. We’ve made it easy - follow this link to cast your vote!

Reminder: votes can be cast once daily through June 3rd.

Vote for Northwest Iowa Counseling through Wednesday, June 3rd at 05:00 pm

05/20/2026

We’re incredibly honored to share that Northwest Iowa Counseling has once again been nominated in the Spencer Media Group People’s Choice Awards for Mental Health Services!

For the past 3 years, our community has helped us bring home GOLD, and we would be so grateful for your support again as we go for year 4. 🌟

If we’ve impacted you, your family, your child, or someone you care about, we would be honored to have your vote. Follow the link in this post to cast your vote, and while you’re there, don’t forget to support your other favorite local businesses too!

Thank you, always, for continuing to trust and support Northwest Iowa Counseling. We truly love serving this community.

Vote for Northwest Iowa Counseling through Wednesday, June 3rd at 05:00 pm

05/14/2026

✨ NEW PROVIDER ANNOUNCEMENT ✨

Please help us welcome Kaity Pedley to the Northwest Iowa Counseling team!

Kaity isn’t a total stranger to NWIAC- she has spent the last 9 months with us as a Master’s Level Intern under the supervision of co-owner Amy Ondler, and we are thrilled she has decided to officially stay on as a therapist upon receiving her licensure!
Kaity is passionate about school-based therapy services and will be serving students in the Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn School District this fall, and will also serve as the school-based therapist at Spencer High School and Fairview Elementary. In addition to her school-based work, Kaity will offer individual, parent, and family sessions within our Spencer office setting.

Kaity brings a warm, approachable, non-judgmental presence and genuine passion for supporting children, adolescents, adults, and families. We are so excited to officially welcome her to the team and cannot wait for the impact she will make within our schools, office, and communities. Welcome (officially) to Northwest Iowa Counseling, Kaity!

05/08/2026

Today, Northwest Iowa Counseling is proud to sponsor the Building BrAve Teams Golf Outing - and proud to have a team out on the course representing NWIAC!

NWIAC therapist Tanner Carlson and four of his golf buddies are spending the day in Grimes golfing for an incredible cause. We are honored to support Building BrAve Teams and the meaningful work they do for families facing the unthinkable - a new pediatric cancer diagnosis and the ongoing journey of treatment.

This year, Northwest Iowa Counseling is also giving a very special shoutout to Brody, one of the bravest boys we know. We are holding him and his family close as they begin navigating a journey no child or family should ever have to face. 💙

Pictured here is Tanner, his golf buddies, and Betsey Young, the heart behind Building Brave Teams.

Grateful to be part of a community that shows up for one another in such powerful ways.

04/22/2026

Happy Administrative Professionals Day to the hearts behind Northwest Iowa Counseling.

From Melissa, our receptionist and the first warm, welcoming voice clients hear… to Vickie, our administrative assistant who keeps us on track and makes sure paperwork remains up to date… to Jaime, our billing and credentialing specialist who ensures every detail behind insurance and payments is handled with precision- our administrative team does it all.

We asked our clinicians to describe Melissa, Vickie, and Jaime in a few words… and the responses say everything:

Melissa – genuinely warm, uplifting, inviting, empathetic, kind, curious, caring, dedicated, disarming, friendly… our gatekeeper and schedule-extraordinaire.

Vickie – nurturing, steady, grounding, compassionate, loyal, funny, dependable, gentle, caring, sharp, supportive, smart… our rockstar (and dessert queen 🍰).

Jaime – meticulous, knowledgeable, indispensable, determined, dependable, efficient, trustworthy, hard-working, resilient, sweet… our background wizard and insurance savant.

They are the calm in the busy, the organization in the chaos, and the care woven through every interaction.

They don’t just keep things running-
they’re a big part of what makes this place feel the way it does. 🤍 Happy Administrative Professionals Day!

04/04/2026

Happy THREE year anniversary to Deb Estes!

Deb holds a special place in the story of Northwest Iowa Counseling. She was the very first therapist to join our team after Amy and Anne took over ownership in 2022. She took a chance on us, trusted the vision, and has been part of building what NWIAC is today as we’ve continued to grow and evolve.

Deb has been a steady, compassionate presence from the very beginning, showing up day after day with care, intention, and a deep commitment to the clients she serves. She cares deeply- not only for her clients, but for her colleagues as well- and that kind of presence creates a ripple effect throughout our entire team. Her ability to meet people where they are and create a space that feels safe and supportive does not go unnoticed.

We are so grateful for the role she plays on our team and the impact she continues to make in the lives of so many. Thank you, Deb, for taking a chance on us and for all that you do. We’re so lucky to have you.

Happy 3 years! To many more!

03/04/2026

Happy TWO YEAR anniversary to our receptionist, Melissa Bendlin!

Melissa is the first voice you hear when you call and the first face you see when you walk through our doors, and she sets the tone for everything that follows- Calm. Kind. Steady.

In a field where people often arrive feeling overwhelmed, uncertain, or vulnerable, Melissa meets them with warmth and reassurance before they ever sit down with a therapist. That matters more than most people realize. Behind the scenes, she keeps our days moving, supports our clinicians, and handles a million moving pieces with skill.

Melissa, we are so grateful for the care you bring to this role and to our team. Northwest Iowa Counseling is better because you are here. Happy two years & to many more!

02/28/2026

Maybe you’ve been thinking about therapy for awhile…
But the drive, your work hours, kids’ schedules, or not knowing who to call kept getting in the way.

We want you to know: You can access Northwest Iowa Counseling from anywhere in Iowa.

We currently have immediate telehealth openings with several clinicians and can often schedule quickly.

Sometimes the hardest part is starting. We’ll help with the rest. Give us a call at 712-262-6111 or visit our website at www.nwiac.com and select “Get Started”.

02/27/2026

At Northwest Iowa Counseling, we believe therapists do their best work when they feel supported.
We’re adding another clinician to our team - school-based + outpatient therapy, built-in referrals, supervision available, and NHSC loan repayment eligible.
We would love to meet you.

02/15/2026

Our hearts are truly heavy as we hold the Iowa Lakes Community College baseball team, their families, and the entire ILCC community in our thoughts following the recent bus accident.

Estherville is more than just the location of one of our offices- it is a community we care deeply about. Moments like this remind us how closely connected small communities are, and how quickly grief, fear, and uncertainty can ripple through students, families, faculty, and neighbors alike.

To everyone impacted- directly or indirectly- you are seen, and this community stands with you. In hard moments, communities take care of each other.