Blog
Mind & Spirit Counseling Center Blog
Welcome to the Mind & Spirit Counseling Center blog, your go-to destination for insightful and supportive content on mental health and well-being. Our posts are dedicated to exploring a wide range of topics, from practical strategies for managing stress and anxiety to the latest research on emotional wellness, or updates about what is going on at the Center. Whether you’re seeking guidance on personal growth, tips for maintaining a balanced lifestyle, or information on the benefits of therapy, the Center aims to provide valuable resources and thought-provoking articles to support your journey towards a healthier, more fulfilled life.
The Center Blog
Billie’s Blog: The Beauty of Fall
Fall, my other favorite season, is like its early-year counterpart, but not quite. While spring is about opening and blossoming, fall is about resting and a different transformation. Ushered in by the last hot days of summer, fall signals decreasing temperatures—there is a crispness in the air even before the need for sweatshirts moves in.…
Remembering Eileen Burtle: A Lasting Legacy of Compassion, Courage and Care
Mind & Spirit Counseling Center mourns the passing of Eileen Burtle, who died on July 30, 2026. One of the Center’s earliest clinicians and a deeply influential member of our community, Eileen served the Center from 1981 until her retirement in 2013. She helped shape not only the care provided to clients, but also the…
Read More Remembering Eileen Burtle: A Lasting Legacy of Compassion, Courage and Care
Learning to Live Like a River Flows
I would love to liveLike a river flows,Carried by the surpriseOf its own unfolding.—John O’Donohue (“Fluent”, from his book, Conamara Blues) I love the imagery of this little poem. For several years now, it has been posted on my desk, where I return to it regularly. The imagery evokes a sense of trust, openness and…
Five Ways to Help Children Cope with Anxiety
By Shannon Welch-Groves, Psy.D., Director of Clinical Services & Licensed Psychologist It’s back to school time and for some children that means increased anxiety. Academics, sports, family circumstances and social events create pressures that may feel overwhelming for children of all ages. As a parent you can’t protect your child from all worries but you…
Holding Life with Open Hands
August is always a bittersweet month for my family. Being married to a teacher and having school-aged children, the month brings the last hurrahs of summer fun and ushers in the transition back to school. This year will be different than Augusts past. Alongside the normal back-to-school preparations, we are also getting ready to move…
Amy’s Blog: Building a Legacy Every Day
I always like to say that every season is my favorite when it begins, and this summer that has been especially true. It has been such a joy to soak up the sunshine, enjoy the longer evenings, and watch the flowers bloom. Every morning when I walk into work, I’m treated to seeing the Center’s…
Billie’s Blog: Resolution Begin Agains
Half of 2026 is over. Did you make New Year’s resolutions or set intentions for the year with all the fervor you could muster? Did you choose a word to guide you through 2026? Are you wondering where the first six months of the year went? You may have given up on your resolution back…
Hard Times Will Never Be the Whole Story
When I was a kid, our family had three different Volkswagen pop-up camper vans. We didn’t have a whole lot of money, but we did have some great adventures driving around the country and camping. When I was seven or so, we took the first van to South Dakota. A missing heat shield made for…
Over $250,000 Raised to Support Mental Health Services in Central Iowa at Women Helping Women 2026
Over 500 attendees joined the Center’s 28th annual Women Helping Women event on May 15, 2026, raising over $250,000 to support vital mental health counseling, education, training and services for underinsured women, children and families in need. This year’s luncheon offered guests an intimate and heartfelt conversation centered on grief, loss and healing. Guided by…
2026 Women Helping Women Donors and Sponsors
Thank you to our generous sponsors and donors who helped the 28th Annual Women Helping Women event raise over $230,000! Your contribution ensures mental health services for women, children and families who are uninsured or underinsured.
