Meet our Therapists
Our team
Owner/Therapist
Nolan Vitzthum
MSW, LISW, LCSW, ACSW, RPT-S
I am a Licensed Independent Social Worker and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Iowa and Wyoming. I am also a Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor through the Association for Play Therapy. I want to begin by sharing how thankful I am you are taking the time to read about me and my passion for helping others.
I believe in the power of healing through connection. We all have stories to tell, my role is to help you share yours. I feel this is what makes the therapeutic process so wonderful—creating a space of safety and trust for you to grow and heal in sharing your story and working through some of the most vulnerable parts of your life. Perhaps you have never experienced such a space? My role as your therapist or supervisor is to collaborate in creating an environment of healing and connection--helping you recognize you are deserving of such a space.
My primary specialties include children, families, attachment, and trauma. I have formal training in EMDR Therapy, Theraplay Level One and Marschak Interaction Method (MIM), Truama-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Gestalt Therapy, Mindfulness, Motivational Interviewing, Suicide/Crisis Intervention, Child-Centered Play Therapy, Filial Play Therapy, Child-Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT), and Sand Tray. In addition to being a Registered Play Therapy Supervisor (RPT-S) through the Association for Play Therapy, I am also a Certified EMDR Therapist through EMDRIA.
I am qualified to provide supervision in both Wyoming and Iowa for those seeking full independent clinical licensure. I additionally offer supervision to those seeking to become a Registered Play Therapist through the Association for Play Therapy.
I am currently in the process of receiving training in Biofeedback Therapy to integrate into my practice in helping clients better understand how their bodies respond to internal and external stimuli. I am also in the process of receiving training and certification in the Oaklander Model of Gestalt Play Therapy.
It is my belief where there is help there is hope. Together, we can walk side-by-side to get you through the issues and concerns which make your day-to-day tasks difficult and seem unmanageable. Together, we can instill hope through healing.
Together, we can help to share your story.
Best,
Nolan Vitzthum, MSW, LISW, ACSW, RPT-SEmail: nolan@theheartofplayllc.com
Phone: 307-274-8705
Insurances Accepted: Wellmark, Cigna, Aetna, Optum/United HealthCare, Iowa Total Care, Molina, Wellpoint, HealthPartners, Medicare
Licensed Independent Social Worker/ Independent Contractor
True North Counseling, LLC
Jessi Lantz
MSW, LISW
I am a Licensed Independent Social Worker in Iowa. I own True North Counseling, LLC and am an Independent Contractor for The Heart of Play, LLC.
My primary specialties include children ages 10 and up, adolescents, and adults. I have formal training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Suicide/Crisis Intervention. I utilize DBT, CBT, Psychodynamic and Person-Centered approaches.
As a therapist, I want everyone who walks through the door to feel accepted and safe. I like to say the therapy office is one of the few places on earth where judgment doesn’t exist. It certainly won’t in my office! My goal is to meet you where you are and walk with you through the goals you feel are most important.
My passion is helping you make connections between who you are today and how you became that way. Discovering and accepting who you are on your journey to becoming your most authentic self, is the reason I chose “True North Counseling” as my practice name. I look forward to meeting each person brave enough and ready to begin their journey towards finding their “True North.”
- Jessi
Email: jessi@truenorthcounselings.com
Phone: 515-412-0620
Insurances Accepted: Wellmark BCBS, Aetna, HealthPartners, Optum/United Healthcare, Molina, Wellpoint, Iowa Total Care
Office Emotional Support Dog
PippaVitzthum
Pippa Vitzthum is our office pet. She completed her training to receive her American Kennel Cub (AKC) Canine Good Citizen certification in February 2025. Her role in our office to be a presence of support and comfort for client’s of Nolan. She is a family member of Nolan and is valued and treasured immensely.
Born November 26, 2018 in Humboldt, Iowa, Nolan and her husband brought Pippa home from Iowa Goldendoodle Dandy in January 2019. In the midst of infertility struggles, Nolan sought a source of comfort and emotional healing— insert our Pippa Girl. She is loving, compassionate, intuitive, and oh-so-friendly. She has two human siblings and two canine siblings. She has many names such as Pippa Girl, Pippa Squeak, and Pip.
She completed her AKC Puppy training in June 2019. She completed her AKC Canine Good Citizen Training from Lucky Dog Training in Fort Dodge, Iowa in February 2025.
Looking to Evolve Your Career?
The Heart of Play is looking for motivated, determined, and compassionate fully licensed mental health providers who want to begin their journey into private practice.
As an Independent Contractor, you are responsible for your clients, documentation, and collection of copay and out-of-pocket expenses and the maintenance of your licensure and LLC. We take care of the rest! That is right, insurance paneling (BCBS, Iowa Medicaid MCO’s, HealthPartners, Aetna, Cigna, United HealthCare), billing (including insurance claim submission and review), rent, utilities, and basic shared office supplies are covered by The Heart of Play.
You will receive a competitive commission as an Independent Contractor.
We want to help therapists do what they love without the stress of administrative tasks and financial stress. You deserve to use your education and experience how you see fit and on your terms— without any corporate oversight. You are your own boss— we are here to help make your private practice dreams a reality!
Other benefits of an Independent Contractor with The Heart of Play include:
Credentialing and insurance claim submission
Therapy notes EHR account with telehealth and portal availability
Therapist Aid yearly subscription
Weekly consultation with other providers in the group practice and monthly group consultation with local therapists
Marketing of Services
Interested in learning more? Contact Nolan at nolan@theheartofplayllc.com