Sarah Kiani, M.A.
Sarah Kiani is the founder, director, and a therapist of Hope Tree Counseling Services. She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in Iowa and a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) in Minnesota. She is trained in facilitating Equine Assisted Mental Health (EAMH) from the University of Denver’s Institute for Human and Animal Connection.
Sarah works with those with ADHD, depression, anxiety, PTSD, and those experiencing difficulty with attachment, parenting, women's issues, and life changes. Sarah has extensive skills in working with young children using Child Centered Play Therapy (CCPT).
Sarah specializes in working with people experiencing trauma, grief, and loss. Sarah survived the loss of her child, Yasmine, in 2009. With the aid of therapy, the arts, nature, and horses Sarah has not only survived but has experienced post-traumatic growth. It was with a deep desire to honor her child’s memory that Sarah launched Hope Tree in 2015.
Sarah practices mindfulness, EMDR, person-centered, trauma-informed, narrative, psycho-drama, equine-assisted, nature-assisted, and child-centered play therapies with clients. Sarah believes that lasting positive growth can occur through professional counseling that incorporates creativity, nature, and animals in the healing journey.
Sarah is passionate about every human's ability to grow and heal. She is committed to offering the possibility of true healing to all who come to Hope Tree.
Sarah is also the founder of Innisfree Farm and the Enchanted Forest Children’s Theater.
Kelsey Litterer, LMHCt
Kelsey Litterer is a licensed mental health counselor (LMHCt) with Hope Tree Counseling Services. She graduated in 2023 with her master's degree in clinical mental health counseling from Upper Iowa University. Kelsey strives to meet people where they are at in their journey, working alongside her clients with empathy and compassion to achieve the goals they have set for themselves. She takes a person-centered, strengths-based approach, tailoring sessions to individual needs. Kelsey works with clients over the age of five, specializing in teenagers and young adults. She is passionate about equine therapy, animal-assisted therapy, and working with those who struggle with substance use and trauma.
In her free time, Kelsey loves spending time with her horses, cats, donkeys, chickens, and dog. She enjoys hiking, traveling, baking, and trying to keep up with her garden. Kelsey is known for being a devoted Golden Girls fan, an avid reader of FBI thrillers, and for wearing cowboy boots everywhere she goes.
Bonita Streich, M.S.
Bonita is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and provides counseling for children 3 years and older, adults, couples, and families as a therapist at Hope Tree since 2017. She is a Registered Play Therapist (RPT) and is completing specialized certification in autism. Bonita works with people who have depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, grief, ADHD, stress, and anger. Bonita also works with those going through divorce and those who need a third party to talk to without judgment.
Bonita believes that mental and physical health go hand in hand and that healing begins with hope. Each individual has their own story and is treated as a whole with unconditional positive regard in a client-centered atmosphere. Treating individuals with respect, listening with empathy, and being genuine with them while acknowledging and validating feelings, emotions, and their words are her passion. Trained in Adlerian Play Therapy (AdPT) for children and adults, Bonita helps clients reach beyond traditional talk therapy for self-expression and processing when words are hard to find.
Sessions are not bound to the office. They can be held outdoors on the grounds and/or around the animals, or on Zoom from the comfort of your own home.
Rebecca Rogers
Born and raised in Waterloo, Iowa, Rebecca has a degree in Family Services from the University of Northern Iowa. She came to Hope Tree as an intern and facilitated the YES participants in the Hope Tree Garden Program. Appreciating the urban farm environment, she remains at Hope Tree as the administrator where she is a valued member of the team. Rebecca enjoys watching people become the best versions of themselves while applying what they have learned at Hope Tree to their lives.