Recommendations for Use

The resources listed on this page function independently from the Luther College Counseling Service and are not under our control or supervision.

We cannot guarantee that any of these services will be appropriate or useful for you. We offer them simply as options for assistance that you can explore further. After gathering more information, you will need to make your own decision about the appropriateness of any of these resources for your own particular situation.

The cost of off-campus evaluation and treatment is the responsibility of the student and family.

Choosing a Therapist

Working with a therapist who is a good fit for you is critically important to reaching your goals for therapy.  Check out these excellent suggestions for choosing a therapist developed by Human Development Associates in LaCrosse, WI.  Take time to find the therapist who is right for you.

Evaluation and Treatment Resources—Decorah Area

The following professionals and agencies in Decorah provide evaluation and treatment related to mental health, substance abuse, and addiction issues.

• Winneshiek Medical Center - Decorah Clinic
  907 Montgomery St.
  Decorah, IA 52101
  (563) 382-9671
  Ronald K. Hougen, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist
  Robin David, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist
  Psychological assessment and individual, family, and couples counseling for a variety of problems including depression, anxiety disorders, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, interpersonal problems, and eating disorders
• Domestic & Sexual Abuse Resource Center
  Decorah, IA 52101
  382-2989
  1-800-383-2988 (24-hour crisis line)
  Counseling and advocacy for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence; support groups available periodically. No charge for services.
• The Gambling Treatment Program
  799 Main St.
  Nesler Center
  Dubuque, IA 52001
  (563) 583-1216
  Toll free Gambling Hotline 1-888-771-6771
  Note: Appointments with The Gambling Treatment Program may also be scheduled in Decorah by calling 1-888-771-6771 (toll-free).
  The program offers a free initial consultation, further assessment, and counseling for individuals, couples, and families.  After the free consultation, fees for Iowa residents are based on a sliding fee scale according to family income, family size, and ability to pay.
• Lighthouse Professional Counseling Services
  Hawkeye Plaza
  1111 Paine St.
  Decorah, IA 52101
  (563) 382-1900
  Kirsten Ludwig, LMHC, and Christine Atkinson, LMSW and Advanced Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor
  Substance abuse evaluations; counseling for children and adults
• Northeast Iowa Behavioral Health
  905 Montgomery St.
  Decorah, IA 52101
  (563) 382-3649
  1-800-400-8923 (24-hour crisis line)
  General mental health and substance abuse counseling; Dr. Neelu Gill, M.D., psychiatrist, on staff
• Gundersen Lutheran - Decorah Clinic
  1830 State Hwy. 9
  Decorah, IA 52101
  (563) 382-3140
  1-800-865-3140
  Dr. Jason Maret, M.D., psychiatrist, on staff
  Dr. Lalit Gupta, M.D., psychiatrist, on staff
• Therapy Associates
  314 W. Main
  Decorah, IA 52101
  (563)382-2662
  Marilyn Southard and Karla Presler, licensed clinical social workers; individual, family and couples therapy on a wide variety of issues.
• Helping Services of Northeast Iowa
  P.O. Box 372
  805 East Main St.
  Decorah, IA 52101
  (563) 387-1720
  The mission of Helping Services of Northeast Iowa is to support and promote the health of children and adults living in Northeast Iowa. Focus is in the area of substance abuse, domestic violence, and sexual abuse. They reach out to individuals, families, and communities through prevention, intervention, support, and advocacy.
• Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Dubuque-Decorah Office
  St. Benedict Parish
  307 W. Main St.
  Decorah, IA 52101
  (563)382-9631
  Lori Eastwood, LMSW
  Professional mental health counseling for individuals, couples, and families; sliding fee scale available.
• Decorah Community Free Clinic and Prescription Assistance Program
  First Lutheran Church
  604 W. Broadway
  Decorah, IA 52101
  (563) 382-2638
  The Decorah Community Free Clinic provides health care for uninsured and underserved patients from seven counties around Decorah. The Decorah Community Free Clinic services patients every Thursday evening.
• Great Rivers 24-7 crisis line in LaCrosse
  Toll-Free (WI, MN, IA) 1-800-362-8255
  A crisis and information line that is free, confidential and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A service of United Way and Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, Inc.

Costs and Insurance Coverage

Many students are covered under their family health insurance plan.  Before making an appointment off-campus, it is important to determine the plan's benefits for mental health or substance abuse treatment and which providers in Decorah are covered.

If you do not have health insurance and are seeking off-campus mental health or substance abuse treatment, please call the Counseling Service (387-1375) or Janet Hunter, Health Resources Advocate in the Student Life Office (387-2229) for information about eligibility for county funding assistance for off campus treatment (if your home is in Iowa) or information about agencies with sliding fee scales.

Other Community Resources

• A self-help support group (led by members; no counselor leader) for those who have grown up in troubled families meets weekly at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 701 Iowa Ave., Decorah. Call the church office at 382-3963 (weekday mornings) to verify the meeting day/time.
• For information about AA and NA meetings in the Decorah area, call the Northeast Iowa Behavioral Health Center, (563) 382-3649.