Sheila Funk-Jansen, LCSW, LISW

Sheila Funk-Jansen is a licensed clinical social worker who holds LCSW and LISW credentials and practices with clients in Iowa. She earned a Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 2003 and brings 25 years of clinical experience supporting people through difficult life transitions and persistent concerns.

Over her career Sheila has worked with individuals facing stress, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship and family challenges, parenting and caregiving stress, substance use concerns, and issues related to self-esteem, intimacy, career, anger, and coping with change. She also addresses themes such as abandonment, blended family dynamics, caregiving burdens, codependency, communication and control struggles, and the emotional impacts of illness or loss. Her practice combines focused clinical skill with attention to each person’s unique history and strengths.

Sheila uses approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing alongside other therapeutic tools to meet people where they are. She emphasizes the therapeutic alliance as the foundation for honest, nonjudgmental work aimed at building resilience and practical change. Sheila offers appointments during the week and at times on weekends, and she works with scheduling needs to help people begin care as soon as possible. Sheila looks forward to working with new clients.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Sheila integrates client-centered work, cognitive behavioral techniques, and motivational interviewing to support people in online therapy. Client-centered therapy focuses on empathic listening and building a respectful therapeutic relationship so individuals feel understood and can explore values, identity, and emotional needs; it is helpful for relationship concerns, self-esteem, and navigating major life changes.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps identify and shift unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns through practical tools and skills work, making it useful for anxiety, depression, stress, and coping strategies. Motivational Interviewing is a collaborative, goal-focused method that helps people find their own reasons and motivation for change, often applied to substance use, ambivalence about life choices, and behavior change efforts.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Sheila collaborates with each person to determine which combination of methods best fits their needs, goals, and preferences. She draws on clinical experience to adapt techniques in a way that suits each individual.

Online therapy with Sheila is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, providing flexibility for busy schedules and for those who prefer remote care. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of support, attend sessions from home or work, and choose a format that matches comfort and accessibility while working with licensed professionals and therapists.