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Susan Dannen
Susan Dannen is a Licensed Independent Social Worker with over 25 years of experience in the mental health field. She has held positions as an In-home therapist, Day Treatment Therapist, School-Based Therapist, Outpatient Therapist, Hospital/Clinic Therapist, Program Supervisor, and Director. She was an Adjunct Professor at Adler Graduate School in Minnesota, and a trainer/writer for the Minnesota Child Welfare Training System.
Susan trained at Jane Addams College of Social Work, Univ. of Illinois Chicago for her MSW and specializes in child and adult mental health, anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, play therapy, and foster care/adoption. She is passionate about educating and supporting others to find hope and healing.
In her free time, Susan enjoys yoga, nature, making pottery, art, music, sports, and theatre.
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Amber Rand is a licensed mental health counselor and seasoned behavioral health leader with more than 25 years of experience advancing trauma informed, recovery-oriented care across Iowa and beyond. As an Instructor for Mindspring Mental Health Alliance, she brings deep expertise in community and workplace mental health education, creating interactive, evidence-based learning experiences that promote understanding, empathy, and resilience.
Amber has held executive and clinical leadership roles in both adolescent and adult behavioral health programs, including serving as Executive Director of Thrive Now Recovery Centers and Vice President at Orchard Place’s Psychiatric Medical Institute for Children. She has led large multidisciplinary teams, designed treatment programs from the ground up, and guided organizations through Sanctuary trauma-informed certification and cultural transformation.
Throughout her career, Amber has been a dedicated trainer and presenter at national and state conferences, focusing on trauma-informed care, emotional intelligence, and organizational wellness. She is also a Certified International Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (IAADC) and passionate about empowering individuals and teams to foster environments of psychological safety, collaboration, and well-being.
Amber holds a Master of Arts in Substance Abuse and Mental Health Counseling from the University of Iowa and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Criminology from the University of Northern Iowa.
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