Andrea Nus, LMFT

Welcome! Wherever you are at in your journey and in your search for therapy, I am really glad you are here. Read further to learn a little about me, Andrea (An-dree-uh) Nus (like “bus”) and my practice, Full Heart Therapy, LLC.

I am a white, heterosexually married, cis-gender female using she/her/hers pronouns, living in a fat and large body. These are some of my identities. It matters to me that I be aware of my advantages with most of my identities and how this may affect our work together.

My intention is to create an atmosphere where you freely explore your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and are guided towards the changes you seek. And I hope you experience my warmth, care, interest in, and compassion for you. And when appropriate, some humor too.

As a life-long learner, my relationships, colleagues, books, trainings, own healing process, my clients and nature are my greatest teachers. I am especially fascinated in understanding more about our brains, bodies, nervous systems, reactions, and choices in relationships. Several experiences led to my becoming a therapist (see Education section below for the twists and turns of how I got here).

Born in Cedar Rapids, the land of the Očhéthi Šakówiŋ [oh-CHEH-tee shaw-KOH-we], Sauk and Meskwaki, and Kiikaapoi [Kickapoo] shared with Iowa, I have lived here most of my life. Much of my free time is spent at trainings, listening to books and podcasts while playing in the yard, with loved ones, creating, tending to the birds, and attending outdoor concerts.

My path, as most people experience, has many curves, loops, unexpected bends and foggy patches. Moving through each bend and foggy patch leads me to being closer to the person I want to be, with more clarity and confidence than I had before.

In 1999, I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations. While working at a local corporation and preparing for my third attempt at the LSAT for entry to law school, a family friend encouraged me to consider becoming a therapist. After the law school rejection letters arrived, I began a Paralegal program. A couple of semesters later, a friend and I began dating. During one of my last semesters and a few months before our wedding, I changed jobs and became a Volunteer Coordinator at a local non-profit. A few weeks later, I was struggling in class and paused my studies.

A few years into my new job I reflected on what was bringing me the most joy. Working alongside volunteers and listening to their stories energized me. Most often I heard stories filled with hardships and pain. Each also had a sense of generosity, hope, a sense of resilience. I wanted a more active role in helping people work through their pain and lean into their strength. My family friend planting the seed, my own experience in therapy, and work experience led me to Mount Mercy University’s Marriage and Family Therapy program. After graduating in 2012, I worked for an agency, then a group private practice and in 2016 opened my private practice, Full Heart Therapy, LLC. Now, I have the honor of guiding clients in healing their unresolved hurts, improving their relationships with themselves and others, and aligning with their values and strengths.

Prior to the pandemic in 2020, I was curious about telehealth, as well as coaching. The pandemic forced many to work from home and my learning about telehealth became a requirement. A few months later I began looking into therapists who also coach. I completed a coaching program for therapists in 2022. My coaching clients are women who are in fat and large bodies. For more info visit www.choicesinside.com.

When you become conscious of your purpose in life, you have both a gift and a responsibility.

While in graduate school I was introduced to Internal Family Systems (IFS). The model immediately resonated with me and I completed IFS Level One training before graduating. As a Program Assistant (PA) for two Level One IFS trainings in Chicago, I deepened my understanding and experience of IFS. Three years later I took Intimacy From the Inside Out (IFIO), an IFS Level Two training, to strengthen my practice in working with couples. IFIO changed how I understand and communicate in my own relationship, as well as helping my clients’ with theirs. IFIO Advanced and Post-Advanced trainings gave me an even deeper understanding of the couples therapy model. In time, I became a Staff member for IFIO Basic Trainings, a deep honor. In 2024, I was a PA again for a hybrid Level One IFS training.

For more information about the models I use at Full Heart Therapy, LLC, see About: Types of Therapy. These experiential models guide me in understanding the world with a more compassionate, curious, and non-pathologizing lens.