Experienced Staff
Learn more about the experienced staff at Mercy Family Counseling below. The asterisk mark (*) designates an EAP provider.
Martin Carpenter, MD
Dr. Carpenter is honored to be invited into people’s lives during their hardest moments and is thankful to have learned so much from his patients. Learn more about Dr. Carpenter.
Caroline Moniza, PsyD
Dr. Moniza is a child clinical psychologist specializing in early childhood mental health and development.
Special interests include: assessment and intervention for children ages 2 through adolescents with autism spectrum disorders. Learn more about Dr. Moniza.
Krystal Nizar, MD, PhD
Dr. Nizar is a graduate of University of California San Diego in La Jolla, Calif. She is board-certified in Psychiatry. She utilizes a dynamic combination of therapeutic approaches to help patients.
Special interests include: addiction medicine and trauma-informed approaches to cross lifespan mental health and the management of anxiety disorders. Learn more about Dr. Nizar.
Erika Siska, MD
Erika Siska, MD is a graduate of the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine. She completed residencies in Family Medicine and Psychiatry at The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Dr. Siska maintains board certification in both Family Medicine and Psychiatry and has obtained fellowship training in Integrative and Holistic Medicine. She see's patients from ages 10 years and up, managing psychiatric issues across the lifespan span and stages of development with special interest in working with teens and older adults. Dr. Siska has specific expertise in managing the challenges of mental illness in the context of medical illness and in working with people interested in integrative, holistic and lifestyle approaches to achieve their optimal mental health. Learn more about Dr. Siska.
Paula Hermsen, PMHNP
Paula is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP).
Special interests include: treating children/adolescents/young adults. Learn more about Paula.
Nancy Howe, ARNP
Nancy is an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner licensed by the State of Iowa.
Special interests include: a full range of primary mental health services, including diagnostic assessment and ongoing medication management.
Kassiani Kelleher, DNP, ARNP, PMHNP-BC
Kassiani is a Doctor of Nursing Practice licensed by the State of Iowa.
Kassiani is passionate about treating mental health disorders across the lifespan but has special interests in treating children, adolescents and young adults. She can provide assessment, diagnosis, medication management, psychotherapy and collaborates closely with patients to develop individualized treatment plans addressing each patient's unique needs. She recognizes the value of providing a holistic wellness approach and believes that a combination of psychotherapy, medication and lifestyle changes can foster overall mental health and well-being.
Barb Roth, ARNP
Barb Roth is an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner licensed by the State of Iowa.
Special interests include: treating adult individuals struggling with mental health illness and substance use; providing prompt care; and treatment to manage symptoms and optimize positive outcomes.
Brittany Smelser, PA-C
Brittany holds a Master of Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Allied Health and has a Bachelor of Science from South Dakota State University. She is a fellow member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, is part of the Iowa Physician Assistant Society and holds an Iowa Board of Physician Assistants license. She specialized in adult psychiatry. Learn more about Brittany.
Kpoti Accoh, LMFT(t)*
Kpoti is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a background in Systems Theory and Paradigm.
With his belief that cognitive biases are more likely to occur and new information harder to assimilate within neuronormative practices and tendencies, Accoh's interests span the field of Mental Health Spectrum and Continuum, including Psycholinguistics, Neurorelativity, ADHD, Autism, Personality Disorders, and Anxiety, with individuals and families.
Rafah Alsabea, MFT*
Rafah has a deep passion for supporting couples, families and adolescents through anxiety, relationship challenges, grief and trauma. Her dedication to mental health is rooted in her experience working with people from different cultural backgrounds who have experienced trauma. This has shaped her mission to create a supportive and empowering space for growth and healing. She is also trained in various therapy approaches and theories, allowing her to tailor treatment to each person's unique needs. She is dedicated to reducing stigma and increasing access to mental health resources.
Additionally, Rafah speaks Arabic, which helps her connect with and support a diverse range of clients.
Hannah Boyle, t-LMFT*
Special interests include: adult individuals, couples and families. Hannah's work is emotionally focused and centered on cybernetics and family structure past and present. She works with trauma, addiction, body image, anxiety, depression and life transitions.
Paige Theis, MFT*
Paige is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Special interests include: families and couples, individuals of all ages (children, adolescents, teens, adults and older adults), caregiver support, life transitions/adjustments, grief & loss, LGBTQ+ and neurodiversity.
Michael Caudill, MSW, LISW*
Mike is a Licensed Independent Social Worker with the State of Iowa.
Special interests include: depression, anxiety, veterans’ issues, substance abuse and marital and family issues.
Kellie Corkery, LISW*
Kellie Corkery is a Licensed Independent Social Worker with the State of Iowa and the State of Massachusetts.
Special interests include: parenting education, children, adolescents and adults. She has experience working with trauma and substance use issues.
Shannon Fitzpatrick, LMHC*
Special interests include: Coming soon!
Cynthia Hemesath, LISW*
Cyndi is a Licensed Independent Social Worker with the State of Iowa.
Special interests include: children, adolescents, adults and families struggling with abuse, ADHD, anxiety, depression, grief, parenting, stress and trauma.
Kelsey Holladay, LISW, PMH-C*
Kelsey is a Licensed Independent Social Worker with the State of Iowa.
Special interests include: anxiety, depression, stress management, grief/loss, fertility struggles, parenting, perinatal mental health and birth trauma.
Lindsay Hopp, LISW, RPT-S*
Lindsay is a Licensed Independent Social Worker with the State of Iowa and a Registered Play Therapist.
Special interests include children, teens, adults and families with diagnoses of anxiety, depression, ADHD, ODD, communication issues, behavioral concerns, and trauma, among other diagnoses. Lindsay has an enormous amount of experience working with victims and survivors of trauma. Lindsay provides play therapy for children ages 3 and above.
Susan Hoyler, LMHC*
Susan is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with the State of Iowa working with adolescents and adults.
Special interests include: Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills for emotional regulation; anxiety and stress management; and grief and loss issues.
Brenda Keenan, LISW, RPT, CADC*
Brenda is a Licensed Independent Social Worker, Registered Play Therapist and Drug and Alcohol Counselor with the State of Iowa. She works with adults, children and adolescents.
Special interests include: post-trauma work, depression, anxiety, grief/loss, women’s concerns, substance abuse issues and spirituality.
Denise Maas, LMHC*
Special interests include: Coming soon!
Frances Levack, LISW*
Special interests include: Coming soon!
Brenda Miller, LISW*
Brenda is a Licensed Independent Social Worker with the State of Iowa.
Special interests include: child, adolescent, anxiety and trauma
McKenna O’Leary, LMSW*
Special interests include: anxiety, depression, grief and trauma and substance abuse.
Sierra Portz, LISW*
Sierra is trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing).
Special interests include: adolescents and young adults struggling with depression, anxiety, stress management, emotional regulation, self-esteem and trauma.
Madison Roe, LISW
Madison is a Licensed Independent Social Worker with the State of Iowa. She has experience treating eating disorders and is currently working on her Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS) certification.
Special interests include: adolescent and adult counseling, family counseling, anxiety and stress management, attachment and trauma.
David Ross, LISW, ACSW*
Dave is a Licensed Independent Social Worker with the State of Iowa.
Special interests include: couples and individuals, conflict resolution, anger management and issues of substance abuse.
Sarah Romano, LMHC*
Special interests include: Coming soon!
Brooke Stammeyer, LISW*
Brooke is a Licensed Independent Social Worker in the state of Iowa and works primarily with adults.
Areas of interest include depression, anxiety, grief and loss, trauma and issues related to adoption. Brooke is trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing).
Shawn Stepp, LMHC, CADC*
Shawn is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor.
Special interests include: Hypnotherapy, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) with adults, addiction issues and stress reduction.
Tamara Taylor-Hillyer, LISW*
Tamara is a Licensed Independent Social Worker who works with adults and adolescents.
Special interests include: couples and family counseling, depression, anxiety, stress management, grief and trauma.
Mary Tharp, LISW*
Mary is a Licensed Independent Social Worker with the State of Iowa, and she works with children and families.
Special interests include: individuals, children, families and adolescents.