Life Connections, a skill building and therapy services business headquartered in Cedar Rapids, and with a satellite office in Marshalltown, will welcome three new communities to its family officially May 1.

The Anamosa, Dubuque and Monticello offices will join those in Davenport, Des Moines, Humboldt, Jefferson and Mason City.

Additionally, the company provides professional services to 65 schools.

The opening of the three new offices marks another milestone for the fast-growing business, which was started in Cedar Rapids in March 2009.

The company’s initial mission was to serve the children and families of Cedar Rapids and surrounding communities.

A short time later, the company saw an opportunity to expand, and opened more offices.

Life Connections offers family group, individual and marriage and couples therapy among a host of other services, ranging from anger management to problem solving to self-esteem enhancement, all by licensed professionals.

The company has marriage and family therapists, licensed social workers and mental health counselors.

All therapists have a master’s degree and are licensed within the state of Iowa.

Life Connection’s mission is to connect to families, and to form trusting relationships that enhance individual strengths and increase positive community involvement.

“We are doers,” said Angela Lins-Eich, Life Connections CEO, partner, and Marshalltown native in offering an explanation of one facet of the company’s success.

Julie Johnson, vice-president, is a Framingham, Mass., native, and lives in Grundy Center. Chrissa Auestad, human resources director, is a Marshalltown native who resides in Nevada.

The two share their CEO’s bravado, energy, enthusiasm and love for their jobs.

The threesome work out of the Marshalltown office and clearly enjoy a camaraderie formed by respect and trust.

Johnson said Lins-Eich is an inspirational leader.

Lins-Eich said Johnson was exemplary in putting clients first.

The two then complimented Auestad for her strict attention to detail while in a highly demanding position.

While serious in their professional endeavors, the three, and other employees, are eager to have fun in a number of settings.

Auestad, Johnson and Lins-Eich recently participated in the “Dancing with the Stars,” Marshalltown’s 13th Street lively project fundraiser.

Together, they raised more than $2,000.

Additionally, the company sponsors softball teams, supports local food banks, and worked with Toys for Tots to donate gifts to clients across Iowa.

Auestad, Johnson and Lins-Eich joined the company in January 2011 filling various roles, but soon moved up the ranks.

Company ownership recognized their abilities, and moved them into their current positions.

Lins-Eich said a second element of the company’s success is that emboldens its employees to “identify problems in solution-based ways.”

“In every business, there are a lot of people who can talk about the problems, but not the solutions. They don’t see themselves as the people to fill the gap … and to be the solution, and we do,” she said.

Lins-Eich identified another facet of the company’s success.

“We like to consider ourselves a flock of geese, everybody takes turns leading, but having the courage to follow as well,” she said.

A Life Connections asset is the ability of leadership to recognize skills in employees and assign tasks to meet those capabilities.

Lins-Eich said a leadership model which follows three tenets is mandatory.

“A Life Connections employee must be a positive, authentic role model, who is consistent and strength-based,” she said

Lins-Eich emphasized that evaluation of client needs and feedback determines Life Connection services.

“Our only goal is to be the agency … the service of choice for clients, because we can meet the needs for them,” said Lins-Eich. “So whatever our clients tell us that they need, we make sure we are building a company where those needs are met and everybody is thriving.”

All of Life Connections’ services are 100 percent voluntary, so individuals and families can feel confident that they are in control. Life Connections firmly believes that individuals and families know their and are able to join with staff to increase success in their lives.

For more information, contact Life Connections at 319-364-1953 or visit its website, lifeconnections4u.net