Mount Vernon Family Counseling

01/06/2026

Big Announcement! We now have an Office Manager! Please welcome Denise Cherry!

Denise, having worked in many office management positions in all capacities, is hoping her skills and know-how will come in handy for Tiffany and everyone here! You may notice calls, texts, and emails coming from her, as well as seeing her puttering around the office to ensure that it’s as warm, inviting, and as comfortable as possible for you. She can’t wait to assist in making the office processes here at Mount Vernon Family Counseling run as smoothly and efficiently as possible! 😊

Outside of work, she is an active volunteer at Starlighters II Theater in Anamosa, and has graced the stage there as well as at MVLCT right here in Mount Vernon! In her minimal free time she loves spending time with family and loved ones, being outdoors, and finding new adventures!

11/05/2025

Joey Mescher has a couple morning session times available (think 9 and 10 am)! Joey is a Marriage and Family Therapist (tLMFT) and serves couples, families, children, adolescents, adults---he loves variety! Joey is outgoing, solution-focused, and strengths-based. Get ready to acknowledge the positive while challenging the hard aspects of life! Complete our referral form located on our website to get started!
https://mountvernonfamilycounseling.godaddysites.com/

10/23/2025

Highest of recommendations to this opportunity at the CR Downtown Library. The Dungeon Master is awesome and sure to engage your kids in trying out a Dungeons and Dragons' character in epic adventures!

Walk into Beems Auditorium at the Downtown Library on any given Wednesday evening and you’ll encounter epic battles, mythical creatures, and magic spells. This is the library’s Dungeons & Dragons club, where people of all ages gather each week for campaigns and camaraderie.

Programming Specialist John Zbanek-Hill started the club in 2022, with just a handful of participants. It has since grown to an average of 27 players each week.

“It’s for everybody. There really is a spot for you around the table, regardless of your age or ability,” he said. “A lot of people who have been looking for a place of welcome have found that here.”

Read more of this story from our FY2025 Annual Report on our blog: https://www.crlibrary.org/news/spot-table-stories-fy2025-annual-report

10/19/2025

Ya'll are tired of taking off time from work and school for therapy. We hear you and scoured the Earth to find a provider wanting to work WEEKENDS doing ONLINE counseling. Let me introduce you to....Tristin McDermott who currently has openings!

Tristin is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (tLMHC) who enjoys working with individuals struggling with eating disorders, anxiety, depression, trauma, attachment challenges, chronic illness, and adjustment disorders. She has provided care across multiple levels of treatment, including residential (RTC), intensive outpatient (IOP), and partial hospitalization (PHP), allowing her to bring a well-rounded perspective to the therapeutic process.

She is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP). In her work, she integrates somatic therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and mindfulness to meet each client where they are in their journey.

Tristin is very client-centered and collaborative, dedicated to making the therapeutic space feel warm and inviting. She strives to help every client feel safe, heard, seen, and empowered as they work together toward healing and growth.

In her free time, Tristin can often be found experimenting with new baking recipes (with varying levels of success), trying to read two books simultaneously, or being with her family.

10/07/2025

Our fantastic interns will be offering Cornell College students a free support group on body image. Thank you Cayla, Olivia, and Jessica!

08/29/2025

Happy Friday Everybody! We are pleased to introduce our two newest University of Iowa interns: Jessica Soria and Olivia McGowan. Woot woot, welcome to the team!

08/22/2025

Way to represent Joey!

08/19/2025

Mount Vernon Family Counseling Job Posting:
We are looking for the perfect fit!
Are you a full or temporary-licensed Mental Health Counselor, Licensed Social Worker, or Marriage and Family Therapist looking for a job? Mount Vernon Family Counseling is hiring, so please apply. We specialize in working with children but serve members of all ages and are looking to hire one counselor due to our growing waitlist in light of recent marketing. We have a gorgeous, furnished office to offer with great benefits, competitive pay, and a wonderful work culture. Interested in applying? Please send your resume to tiffany@mvfamilycounseling.com.

07/28/2025

Katelyn Hodnefield is a champ and made a website for us!

104 2nd Ave N Mount Vernon, Iowa 52314 Open Monday - Friday from 8 am to 5 pm

07/11/2025

ALL of our counselors (except for Tiffany) have immediate openings! Spread the word, read our bios, and pick the counselor you think you can vibe with best! Call 319-693-2266 or email Tiffany@mvfamilycounseling.com to get started.

Send a message to learn more

06/09/2025

Never a dull moment at MVFC...and now...for another AWESOME announcement: I introduce to you Cayla King, our newest intern.
Here is some information about her:
Hello! I am a clinical mental health counseling student at Upper Iowa University. I am so excited to begin my journey at Mount Vernon Counseling. I hope to work with a diverse array of clients, but I have a special interest in working with members of the LGBTQIA+ community and individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, and eating disorders. I am passionate about taking a holistic approach to wellness and helping clients heal their bodies and minds. The approaches I am most interested in are Adlerian, internal family systems, cognitive behavior therapy, and dialectical behavior therapy. In my free time, I enjoy reading, cooking, and spending time with my beloved golden retriever, Ross.

06/08/2025

Another proud moment for us! Presley Tapken is also now officially on team as a counselor following completion of her internship. She also has immediate openings. Welcome aboard Presley!!!
Presley Tapken is a temporary licensed mental health counselor who creates a warm, welcoming space where individuals feel heard, supported, and empowered. Known for her bright, bubbly presence, Presley works with people navigating a range of life challenges, including anxiety, stress, adjustment difficulties, ADHD, PTSD, and more. She has experience supporting clients of all ages and is currently working toward certification in play therapy.
Presley believes therapy should be a space where people can show up as their most authentic selves. She prioritizes building genuine, trusting relationships and offers clients the freedom to guide sessions based on what feels most meaningful to them. Her approach draws from a variety of modalities, including person-centered therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), strengths-based therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), play therapy, and trauma-informed care. With each client, she aims to foster resilience, insight, and lasting growth.
Presley earned her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Iowa and is licensed to practice in the state of Iowa. Outside of the therapy room, she enjoys playing video games, reading fantasy and thriller novels, crafting, and spending time with her dog.