The
Strengthening
Center
Psychological Services
The Strengthening Center
Psychological Services
"Sometimes in the waves of change, we find our true direction."
ABOUT THE STRENGTHENING CENTER
The Strengthening Center is a privately owned mental health practice dedicated to providing diverse mental health services to Central Iowa and surrounding communities.
Current Services
Consultations
Family Therapy
Individual Therapy
School Based Youth Services
Current Contracts
Marshalltown Community Schools
Mid-Iowa Community Action (MICA)
School-Based Healthcare Solutions Network
Meet The Team
Lani Maassen, PsyD
Owner
Dr. Maassen received her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Troy State University and a Doctorate in Clinical Forensic Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in Los Angeles, California. She has a multitude of experience working throughout California, Arizona, Nebraska, and Iowa; where she has worked with children, adolescents, adults, parents, and families.
Dr. Maassen has experience in administering full battery psychological assessments, forensic evaluations for juvenile and adult court, parent-child evaluations for DHS, Social Security Disability Evaluations, and Intellectual Disability Assessments. Throughout Dr. Maassen's training she also provided services to at-risk children and families throughout Los Angeles and consulted with Head Start programs; where she provided parenting consultations and various trainings to school districts and Head Start/Early Head Start personnel.
As a mother of four, Dr. Maassen has a deep understanding of the struggles within parent-child relationships. She is passionate about providing guidance and emotional support to parents, without judgment and bias.
*Currently not accepting clients*
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Carlos Celis, PsyD, LMHC
Regional Director
Dr. Celis received his Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from California State University, Los Angeles, a Master's degree in Forensic Psychology with a concentration in Police Psychology, and his Doctorate degree in Clinical Forensic Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in Los Angeles. His work throughout California, Hawaii, and Iowa has provided a diverse experience, including working with various ethnic backgrounds, as well as children, adults, parents, at risk youth, gangs, and law enforcement.
Dr. Celis is a Spanish speaking clinician with experience in full battery psychological assessments for children and adults, particularly with individuals involved in child welfare services/family court, and facilitating Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) to high risk families. He also specializes in providing therapy to individuals with trauma and severe emotional behaviors, as well as provides school based services to meet families needs. In addition, he completes evaluations to assist with the immigration process and oversees clinicians in Iowa through school based grants.
Dr. Celis has a straight forward approach, in which he works from a client-centered foundation of therapy, to maximize an individual's inner strengths. He strives to include families in the therapeutic process to improve the overall family dynamic. His genuineness and unconditional positive regard are essential to therapeutic growth.