Mental Health Therapy in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Guiding Light Counseling Center offers mental health therapy and counseling in Cedar Rapids from licensed counselors who understand what you're going through.
Our licensed mental health counselors provide a safe space to understand your feelings, find relief, and rediscover balance in your daily life. Together, we’ll work toward healing, resilience, and a renewed sense of peace.
Professional Mental Health Counseling for Anxiety and Depression
Anxiety and depression can show up in many ways; restlessness, loss of interest, racing thoughts, or constant fatigue. You might feel disconnected from yourself or the people you love. These feelings are common and treatable, and counseling offers the tools to help you move forward with confidence and hope.
- Losing motivation to do the things you used to enjoy.
- Constant overthinking that never seems to stop.
- Feeling disconnected from yourself and others.
Insurance companies we accept
How Anxiety and Depression Counseling Can Help
We believe mental health counseling is a collaborative process. A safe, supportive space where you can explore your emotions, develop healthier patterns, and move toward renewed hope. Our licensed mental health counselors personalize each session to your needs, using evidence-based counseling approaches and faith-inspired guidance when desired.
Understand Your Emotions
Explore the thoughts and experiences beneath your anxiety or depression to gain clarity and self-awareness that leads to lasting change.
Build Practical Coping Tools
Learn healthy ways to manage stress, calm anxious thoughts, and navigate life’s challenges with greater confidence and balance.
Restore Hope and Connection
Reignite motivation, strengthen relationships, and rediscover a sense of peace and purpose in your daily life.
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Counseling for Children, Teens, and Adults
Every individual’s journey is unique. That’s why our licensed mental health counselors use evidence-based counseling approaches, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based techniques, and emotion-focused strategies, to support your specific needs. Our goal is to help you gain clarity, build emotional resilience, and feel more like yourself again.
- Children – Helping kids express emotions in healthy ways, build confidence, and develop tools to manage worries or big feelings.
- Teens – Guiding adolescents through school pressure, social challenges, and identity struggles with understanding and support.
- Adults – Offering a safe space to process stress, relationships, and life transitions while finding calm and renewed balance.
Ready to feel better? Let’s take the first step together.
Meet Our Counselors: We Will Help You Choose The Right Fit For Your Family
Alicia Gerber, LMHC
I’ve spent over 10 years helping children, teens, adults, and families in Cedar Rapids navigate life’s challenges. My approach is flexible, compassionate, and tailored to each person’s unique needs—creating a safe space for growth, healing, and renewed strength.
I specialize in supporting children and adolescents ages 3–18, as well as adults, through anxiety, mood disorders, trauma, divorce, and school-related stress. My training includes AutPlay, Adlerian Play Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and trauma-informed care.
For families who wish, I also offer Christian-based counseling and prayer integration. No matter where you are in your journey, I’m here to meet you there and help you move forward with confidence.
As a Cedar Rapids native, I began my career as a social worker supporting adults and teens facing serious mental health challenges. My passion for helping underserved individuals inspired me to pursue a degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, blending social work advocacy with clinical care.
I approach therapy through an inclusive, strengths-based lens—helping clients feel validated, supported, and empowered to grow. My background in crisis intervention guides how I help people navigate difficult emotions and find long-term stability.
I believe therapy should both comfort and challenge you. Together, we’ll explore new perspectives, build resilience, and create meaningful change.
When I’m not in session, I enjoy time with family and pets, coffee in hand, often reading, writing poetry, or recharging with a good walk or movie.
Samantha Jacobo tLMFT
I’m a compassionate listener dedicated to helping couples and individuals navigate life’s challenges with understanding and care. My experience includes working with infidelity, blended families, ADHD, and grief following brain injury or stroke.
Clients describe me as calm, peaceful, and deeply empathetic. I strive to create a safe, supportive space where you feel seen, respected, and encouraged on your healing journey.
I am trauma-informed and trained in multiple therapeutic approaches, including the Gottman Method, Emotion Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy. This allows me to tailor sessions to your unique needs and goals.
Outside of the office, I enjoy spending time with my family and paddle boarding with friends.
Chelsea Smorstad, LISW
I’m a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) with a Bachelor’s in Social Work from Luther College and a Master’s from St. Ambrose University. I’m passionate about creating a supportive space where clients feel seen, heard, and valued.
I believe every person has inherent strengths and the ability to grow beyond what they can see. My approach is person-centered, focusing on your unique experiences, values, and goals while helping you build the resilience you already possess.
I provide individual therapy for children, teens, and adults, integrating play therapy techniques to support emotional expression and healing. Whether you’re navigating life transitions, processing difficult emotions, or seeking greater self-understanding, my goal is to offer a compassionate, collaborative environment where meaningful change can unfold.
How Counseling Works
Starting mental health counseling can feel overwhelming, but at Guiding Light Counseling Center, we make the process simple, supportive, and clear from the very first step. Our goal is to help you feel comfortable, understood, and ready to begin your journey toward emotional healing and well-being.
Schedule AppointmentSchedule Your Appointment
Contact us by phone or online to schedule your first counseling session at a time that works for you.
Meet Your Licensed Counselor
During your initial session, your licensed mental health counselor will listen to your story, discuss your goals, and collaborate with you to create a personalized counseling plan.
Begin Your Healing Journey
Through consistent sessions, you’ll learn coping strategies, build resilience, and start experiencing emotional balance and peace.
“Our purpose is to create a space where people feel safe, seen, and supported. Healing begins when you stop carrying everything alone and start reconnecting with who you really are.”
Hear from our clients
Real stories from people who found healing, support, and peace through counseling with us.
“Alicia has been SO good to me & has helped with many issues. She also has gone above & beyond to make sure I’m okay. God bless her heart! I will NEVER forget her & highly recommend.”
Jessica M
"Alicia is the absolute best in the business. She helps children feel comfortable sharing and opening up and has great communication with the parents. Her kindness overflows. Her ideas and knowledge are practical and useful."
K.C.
“Our family was struggling to connect, but after a few sessions, we started listening to each other again. The guidance we received made all the difference.”
Liam Spencer
We’d love to hear from you!
Whether you're ready to schedule your first session or just have a few questions — we're here to listen, support, and guide you every step of the way.
We have received your message and will get back to you as soon as possible. Our team is dedicated to providing the best support and we appreciate your patience.
FAQs
Here are some common questions about starting mental health counseling with us. If you don’t see your question here, feel free to reach out. We’re happy to help.
If ongoing feelings of worry, sadness, low motivation, or emotional overwhelm are interfering with your daily life, anxiety and depression counseling may be helpful. Our licensed mental health counselors in Cedar Rapids can help you better understand what you’re experiencing and develop healthy, practical ways to manage these challenges.
Your first counseling session is a conversation, not an evaluation. You’ll meet with a licensed mental health counselor to talk about what’s been bringing you in, your goals, and what you hope to gain from counseling. Together, you’ll create a personalized plan that feels comfortable, supportive, and aligned with your needs.
Yes-We accept Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, Tricare West, Health Partners. We also accept Medicaid (Iowa Total Care, Molina, and Wellpoint).
We support clients dealing with anxiety, depression, ADHD, autism, grief, trauma, family issues, divorce, and more.
Each session lasts about 50 minutes. The number of sessions varies depending on your goals and personal progress.