Group Counseling
Group counseling is an effective way to work on most mental health and relationship concerns that cause people to seek help. Although people can feel hesitant to join a group, most people find the group setting to be supportive, engaging, and ultimately quite helpful.
Our counseling groups are not theme-based, meaning we bring people together with different problems and backgrounds. People dealing with anxiety, loneliness, isolation, grief, depression, lack of assertiveness, and other other mental pain have all benefitted from our groups.
In addition, we spend time looking at the interactions among the members of the group. We call this the group “process” and have found that understanding what goes on in the group is a great way to learn how we relate to others outside the group as well.
Individual Counseling
Our primary focus and mode of treatment is group counseling, but we also have some availability for individual counseling sessions. Individual counselors work with clients on their specific concerns and may make referrals to group if that is deemed appropriate for the specific client.
Who We Serve
People Seeking Counseling
Our first priority is to provide counseling for those in need. Any adults dealing with a mental, emotional, or relational concern are potentially appropriate for our services. This includes (but is not limited to) concerns such as depression, grief, anxiety, separation/divorce, substance abuse, life adjustments (such as job loss), and relationship problems.
People Seeking Training
Network also serves those who are interested in learning more about counseling. The program is a primary training site for doctoral students in counseling psychology at Iowa State University and also conducts continuing education for licensed mental health practitioners.
Our Mission
To provide affordable counseling services to adults with a variety of mental health concerns while training the next generation of mental health providers.
The intake process
Meet individually with one of our intake counselors. This meeting is designed to assess whether our services would be beneficial to you and to allow you to ask any questions you might have before beginning.
Pre-group screening
Prior to joining a group, you would meet individually with the co-leaders in a pre-group screening session. They would provide information about the specific group, and answer questions you might have.
Joining a group
We have found that coming to the group for the first time can be the single hardest step.
After the initial session, however, most people look forward to coming and miss very few sessions. We suspect that you will as well.
Counseling Fees
Initial Consultation and Individual* Sessions
Group Counseling
Session
$10 (ISU Students)
$20 (All Others)
$5 (ISU Students)
$10 (All Others)
Fees are expected at the time of service. We accept cash and checks, but not credit/debit cards.
*Individual counseling sessions are not always available. Please contact us to check availability.
Insurance: We do not accept insurance reimbursement.
Meet Our Team
Nathaniel Wade, PhD (He/Him)
Director and Clinical Supervisor
Nathaniel is a licensed psychologist in Iowa (#01000) and a Health Service Provider in Psychology. He is also a Professor of Psychology at Iowa State University. Nathaniel has been leading counseling groups for over 25 years. He uses an interpersonal approach in counseling. He is also the primary supervisor for the clinic, providing support to the other staff at Network.
Corrine Schwarting, MS (She/Her)
Associate Director, Tuesday Group Leader
Corrine (she/her) has a love for the outdoors, breathwork, and person-centered care. She is a fifth year Counseling Psychology doctoral student. Her clinical interests center around three pillars: equitable and accessible care, fostering meaningful relationships, and treatment for substance use through non-pathologizing and harm reduction ways. Corrine is a current co-facilitator of the Tuesday group, which uses an interpersonal process lens.
Elijah Schaeffer, MS (He/Him)
Staff Counselor, Tuesday Group Leader
Elijah is a 3rd year doctoral student in counseling psychology at Iowa State University. He received an MA in clinical psychology from the University of Northern Iowa. His clinical interests center around attachment theory, and mental health stigma in religious communities. His approach to counseling blends emotion-focused therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and existential therapy from an attachment theory lens.
Rachel Block, MS (She/her)
Staff Counselor
Rachel (She/Her) received a MS in Psychology at Iowa State University. She is a third-year doctoral student in the Counseling Psychology program.
Julia Slocum, MS (She/They)
Staff Counselor
Julia earned a BA in International Studies and Spanish Language from the University of Iowa, and a MS in Counseling Psychology from Iowa State. She is a third-year doctoral student at ISU where her clinical interests include grief and loss, and life and relationship transitions using an existential-humanistic, interpersonal approach. Julia’s clinical and research interests center around incorporating movement and outdoor, natural spaces into therapy.
Administrative Assistants
We also have several part-time administrative assistants who help with answering phones, scheduling, and other administrative duties. These are undergraduate psychology students at Iowa State who are trained and supervised by Network staff. They understand the importance of confidentiality and work hard to make the counseling experience safe and comfortable for our clients.
Network is located on Iowa State University campus.
On the basement floor of Science Hall I, the clinic is in Room 56.
Clinic Address:
Science Hall I
Room 56
Iowa State University
Contact Us
Mailing Address:
901 Stange Road
Department of Psychology
Ames, IA 50011
(515) 294 - 1898
groups@iastate.edu
