Gerta Bardhoshi is a licensed mental health counselor in the state of Iowa and has over ten years’ experience working with people who represent a wide range of presenting concerns, ages/developmental stages, and identities.

Her treatment specializations include anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, loss, adjustment, and life transitions. She also has experience in working with children/adolescents and international students, and concerns pertaining to identity development and acculturation.

In her practice, Gerta primarily utilizes principles of Humanistic Counseling, which emphasizes looking at the whole person, striving for authenticity, and reaching your full potential. Gerta also uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques to help clients obtain awareness, implement changes, and meet therapy goals.

Self-actualization is a process that helps orient people towards self-growth, fulfillment of their needs, and reaching their potential. Gerta believes that living a self-actualized and meaningful life often involves integrating our actual and ideal selves, developing a growth orientation, and cultivating deep and meaningful relationships with others.

Gerta spent the first 17 years of her life in Europe, and has a deep appreciation for how various social identities and backgrounds shape our sense of self and the world. She has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s in mental health counseling from Northern State University, and a PhD in Counseling from George Washington University. Gerta is also an Associate Professor of Counselor Education at the University of Iowa, helping prepare the next generation of counselors, and researching evidence-based practices. She has published multiple research studies on how to best measure and address mental health concerns, and presented at numerous national, and international conferences on a range of clinical topics. She is also a nationally certified Approved Clinical Supervisor and provides clinical supervision to other counselors pursuing licensure and professional development.