Jana Vink, LISW, RPT-S
One of the most distinctive parts of Jana’s background is her extensive experience working in medical crisis settings. For more than fifteen years, she supported patients, families, medical professionals, and first responders through some of the most acute and emotionally intense moments of their lives. That work shaped her ability to assess situations quickly and respond thoughtfully. Jana’s experience in medical settings gives her the unique ability to understand first responders, the work they do, and the affects it can have on their families.
What Jana values most about that experience is the way it sharpened her ability to meet people as individuals. Some people connect through humor, others through gentleness. Some want practical steps, while others need space to process and reflect. Jana brings that same flexibility into every session, adjusting her approach to fit each client rather than expecting clients to fit a particular style of therapy.
Jana is an engaged, present therapist. She does not believe in simply listening from a distance, but in actively working alongside clients so they feel deeply seen, understood, and supported from the very first session.
Raised on a farm in northwest Iowa, Jana began her career helping others in 1998 while working with adolescents in residential care as she attended Dordt College in Sioux Center, Iowa. She earned her Bachelor of Social Work in 2000 and continued working with adolescents and families in a variety of community and state settings, including juvenile court services and other social service agencies.
From 2003 to 2019, Jana transitioned to working in medical social work at Iowa Methodist Medical Center, primarily in the Intensive Care Unit, supporting individuals and families during critical and often life-altering moments. While working with the ALS Association, Iowa Chapter, she returned to school and earned her Master of Social Work from the University of Iowa in 2012. Since that time, she has provided counseling services to adults, children, and families in a clinical setting.
Jana is a Licensed Independent Social Worker and a Registered Play Therapy Supervisor. She continues her professional development through ongoing education, including training with Postpartum Support International. Her clinical experience includes working with anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, infertility, perinatal mood disorders, play therapy, marital therapy, and divorce recovery. She utilizes a variety of therapeutic approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness, Motivational Interviewing, Child-Centered Play Therapy, Insight-Oriented and Solution-Focused approaches, and EMDR.
Jana approaches her work from a Christian worldview and is comfortable incorporating Christian perspectives into therapy when desired by the client. She is equally committed to providing respectful, client-directed care and works within a faith-based framework only to the extent that each individual finds meaningful and helpful.
Outside of the office, Jana enjoys reading, traveling with her husband, and keeping up with her four children. She may be found cheering on the Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium or exploring a new restaurant after thorough research. Jana loves the ocean and enjoys collecting shells with her children. You just might see a few of those shells decorating her office.