Master of Arts, Marriage and Family Therapy, 2020
Mount Mercy University, Cedar Rapids, IA
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, 2011
University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
* Please Note: Only available during pre-scheduled appointment. To request an appointment with this provider, please go here.
Megan Smalley, MA, tLMFT works with anyone ages 4 and up. This includes individuals, couples, and families.
Megan is a mother of three young children. Therefore, she is able to relate to parenting struggles. A lot of what she has learned as a therapist has helped her in her own parenting, too. Similarly, Megan’s position as a mother herself makes it easier for her to support and normalize the struggles of other parents. In addition, she has experience with relationship conflict. As a result, she has learned communication skills and enjoys sharing them with couples as they work through their own conflicts.
Megan believes in the importance of everyone having at least one safe person and one safe place. She wants to provide that to people who may not have it elsewhere. For example, she wants people to be able to open up to her about their feelings and thoughts, without worrying about judgement. This helps them get one step closer to becoming a version of themselves that they feel happy with. In addition, she focuses on developing the therapeutic relationship so that individuals she works with can feel comfortable letting out whatever they need to. This helps them to leave her office happier than when they came in.
Megan is also understanding and caring. Further, her care and understanding create an environment where people feel safe opening up. This is important because she has the opportunity to help individuals explore their deepest emotions, which drive their behaviors.
Megan’s job is very fulfilling job to her. She loves knowing that she is able to help others. It is rewarding to her to hear about positive results, and that she is making a difference in real people’s lives. Even when she is not receiving that feedback, Megan feels privileged to have played a part in someone’s journey. For instance, even if she helps someone a little further along in their mental health discovery, it’s a win in her book.
There is no rule book on what we should feel or do during the holidays. Even though there is no holiday rule book, sometimes the demands of the holidays spike our stress levels anyway. Finding ways to cope with the stress of the holidays can help us to find our joy this holiday season.
