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mental health therapy services

Therapy can be helpful for people experiencing difficulties or suffering from mental health challenges. The type and length of therapy depends on an individual's personal situation and insurance coverage. 

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A clinical therapist can assist a person in managing symptoms, thoughts, behaviors, stresses, goals, past experiences, and other areas to promote recovery. Sometimes talking with a therapist may be difficult, but it can be effective in dealing with life's problems. Therapy also offers an emotional release and a sense of being heard, understood, and supported. 

Therapy can help an individual: 

  • Feel stronger in the face of challenges;

  • Improve self-esteem and self-worth;

  • Change behaviors that hold a person back;

  • Look at ways of thinking that affect feelings; 

  • Heal pains from the past;

  • Build relationship skills;

  • Discern goals; 

  • Strengthen self-confidence;

  • Cope with symptoms;

  • Manage strong emotions like fear, grief, and anger; and 

  • Enhance problem-solving skills.​

types of therapy 

There are many different types of evidence-based mental health therapies. Often, therapists blend different approaches to suit a person's needs. 

Bethany provides therapy to individuals, children, families, and groups. The following are a few common types of therapy provided:

  • Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT);

  • Interpersonal Therapy;

  • Psychodynamic Therapy;

  • Psychoeducation;

  •  Play Therapy; and

  • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT).

whos eligible 

Children (ages three and up), adolescents, teens, and adults are eligible for services. 

Services take place at one of Bethany's offices or a child's school.

Bethany has therapists located within the school districts of Davenport, Bettendorf, North

Scott, Pleasant Valley, and Maquoketa. 

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Bethany accepts Iowa Medicaid and Hawki as well as many other private commercial insurance plans such as Wellmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Optum, United Healthcare, and United Behavioral Health. Private pay options are also available.

A Story of Success from Clients of
School-Based Therapy

Cheryl didn't know what to do. Every day, when she took her grandson Sam to school, he would refuse to leave the car. Not just refuse. He would sob like his heart was breaking. They would then spend 30 minutes while he cried. Then she tried reasoning, arguing, and finally pleading with him before he would finally make it inside. It was exhausting for both of them.

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Sam’s teachers reported that he sometimes cried during class and seldom participated. He was even afraid to go outside and play during recess. Cheryl understood the root of his fears. After all, the boy’s own father had once kidnapped him from school, threatened him, and used him as leverage against his mother. It was too much for a five year old to process. Of course he was terrified.

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Sam was placed with Cheryl after the Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) became involved with the family due to severe domestic violence, which was so traumatic that Sam’s mom was blinded in one eye. For his own safety, Sam moved in with Cheryl; his mother was given some time to heal and establish a safe household; and his father was incarcerated.

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After days of witnessing their morning struggle in the parking lot, the volunteer crossing guard told Cheryl that there was a therapist in the school – one from Bethany for Children & Families – who might be able to help. He told Cheryl that the school-based therapist had helped a number of students. Cheryl met with Jen, the Bethany therapist, and felt a flutter of hope. Sam met with her the next day.

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Jen and Sam started simply, using drawing and music to get to know each other and work through emotions. It didn’t take long for Jen to realize that Sam – a kindergartner – was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder due to the violence he had witnessed in his own home. After he became more comfortable, Jen also used play and relaxation therapy techniques to encourage Sam to tell her about some of the things that made him afraid. With Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Jen helped Sam work on overcoming the fears that caused him so much anxiety while going to school and socializing with his classmates.

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For 18 months, Jen met with Sam twice a week. Between individual sessions, family sessions, and eventually group sessions with his classmates, Sam has become comfortable with the school environment and with his own emotions. He is able to verbalize his feelings and use coping skills to avoid reaching extreme emotional states. Toward the end of his second year working with Jen, Sam moved back in with his mother who had completed all the requisites set by the Iowa DHS. At home, his mom reports that he is always laughing and playing with his younger brother. At school, he participates in class regularly and makes friends more easily. No longer held prisoner by fear, Sam now lives the life of a typical little boy.

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