10/14/2026
OPEN HOUSE TODAY / Oct. 14
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Family Connections to celebrate 25 years with Dunlap open house
Family Connections Inc. will host a public open house from 4 to 6 p.m. Oct. 14 at its Dunlap office, 612 Iowa Ave., to celebrate the agency’s 25th anniversary and introduce residents to its local mental health services.
The event will include complimentary snacks and beverages, guided tours and opportunities to meet therapists and other agency staff. Visitors can learn about counseling, behavioral support and resources available to individuals and families.
The Dunlap office opened in March 2023. According to Family Connections, the open house will recognize the agency’s growth into rural communities and the support that has helped make that expansion possible. The event also aims to increase awareness of mental health services available locally.
Therapists Michelle Loew and Carla Spahn will attend and offer tours of their office spaces. Agency directors, clinical supervisors and Behavioral Health Intervention Services providers also will be available to answer questions.
Meeting staff in a relaxed setting can help residents become more comfortable with the idea of seeking care, according to the agency. The open house gives visitors an opportunity to meet the team and ask questions before scheduling an appointment.
Providing services locally can reduce the travel demands that make regular appointments difficult for rural families. Parents may otherwise need to take children out of school for extended periods, while working adults must arrange time away from their jobs.
A local office also provides an option for people who prefer in-person appointments or need a private setting outside their home.
The Dunlap location offers individual, couples and family counseling, with both in-person and telehealth appointments available. Behavioral Health Intervention Services provide additional support focused on developing practical skills.
Loew works with children, adolescents and adults, using a trauma-informed approach to help clients understand their thoughts, emotions and responses. Her work includes support for people managing difficult emotions, relationship challenges and past trauma.
Spahn works with children, teens, adults and older adults. Her areas of focus include trauma recovery, using approaches such as eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, known as EMDR.
According to Family Connections, people seek counseling for a variety of reasons, including trauma, conflicts at work or home, and a desire for an outside perspective. The agency encourages those who are uncertain about therapy to allow time to get to know a therapist and establish trust, without feeling pressured to share everything during their first appointment.
The Dunlap office is accepting new clients, and an outside referral is not required. During an initial call, staff collect basic information and insurance details. The agency’s billing department then provides an estimate of session costs based on the client’s coverage.
The anniversary also offers an opportunity for Family Connections to thank residents for welcoming the agency and supporting access to mental health care.
For appointments or more information, call the Dunlap office at 712-647-3412 or visit familyconnectionsiowa.com.
