Meet Our Team
Dr. Shawn R. Scholten
Dr. Shawn Scholten holds a Doctoral Degree in Counseling Psychology, is an Iowa Licensed Mental Health Counselor, and a National Board Certified Counselor. As a seasoned therapist, she practices individual, couples, and family therapy. Her specialties lie in grief and loss, anxiety disorders, pre-marital work, self-esteem building, assertive communication and social skills training, pre and post-bariatric surgery counseling, adjustment disorders, and career exploration and satisfaction. Dr. Scholten has further interest and experience in navigating conflict-laden systems. Trained in two models of crisis intervention, she consults in trauma/disaster response and conducts debriefings across the area. Dr. Scholten is also one of the founders of the Northwest Iowa Critical Incident Stress Management Team and leads debriefings for first responders in that capacity. She is grateful to journey alongside people, listen to their unique story, and offer encouragement and tools in the healing process.
Shannon Van Maanen
Shannon Van Maanen holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Northern Iowa and is an Iowa Licensed Independent Social Worker. She was selected as a 2025 N’West Iowa Review ’20 Under 40’ Young Professional. A marked specialization is trauma informed care, and she offers evidence-based Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) to help in that healing. Shannon works with the full age spectrum, from children through adults, as well as enjoys assisting families. School-based therapy is another area of experience and passion. She is also trained in mindfulness, body-centered psychotherapy and somatic experiencing psychotherapy, and her focus is to use these techniques to help individuals overcome hard experiences. Other areas of interest include anxiety, depression, behavior disorders, and Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Suzan Loverink
Suzan holds a Masters Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from Drake University and is an Iowa and Nebraska Licensed Mental Health Counselor, working in the field for over 20 years. She specializes in depression, anxiety, self-esteem enhancement, life stressor navigation, and building coping skills and resources to achieve goals. Suzan works with adolescents and adults in a person-centered approach. She enjoys getting to know people and their life experiences through the therapy process. Creative Living Center was pleased to welcome Suzan back to the practice in 2024, offering telehealth sessions to clients.
Bethany De Ruyter
Bethany De Ruyter holds a Masters Degree in Social Work from Dordt University and is an Iowa Licensed Master Social Worker. She has previous experience assisting individuals of all ages with chronic mental health diagnoses and intellectual disabilities. Using a person-centered approach, Bethany specializes in working with teens and adults. Her areas of interest include depression, grief, anxiety, social skills, communication, emotional regulation, and Autism Spectrum Disorder. She is passionate about meeting people where they are at to promote a safe environment to foster healing and help. Bethany desires that individuals feel validated as they work toward their identified goals.
Elissa O’Dell
Elissa O'Dell holds a Masters Degree in both Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling from Northwestern College and is an Iowa Temporary Licensed Mental Health Counselor. She is passionate about working with clients who are experiencing depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem, among others, seeking to come alongside to elevate those arenas for better functioning on the life journey. Elissa believes counseling, in a safe environment, where clients feel understood and valued, can be a powerful occurrence that can benefit people from all walk of life. She has experience working with children, adolescents, and adults, and also welcomes couples.
Thomas Van Engelenhoven
Thomas Van Engelenhoven holds a Masters Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Northwestern College and is a soon-to-be Iowa Temporary Licensed Mental Health Counselor. Thomas works with adolescents and adults, practicing both individual and couples therapy. He advances a holistic perspective, using Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Emotion-Focused Therapy, Existential Therapy, and Person-Centered Therapy. Thomas helps clients to identify problem areas in their lives and develop a strategy to achieve better well-being. He enjoys getting to know new people, hearing their experiences, and walking alongside them as they grow.
