Susie Hayes understands that individuals seeking her support are often experiencing pain or feeling stuck in their lives. Whether grieving, discouraged, or in search of relief, they can expect her to be an excellent listener who embodies compassion, experience, resourcefulness, support, and straightforwardness. In her collaborative approach, she helps clients release the pain, loss, fear, and frustration that may block them from moving forward. With her commitment to enhancing clients' quality of life, Susie tailors the most effective strategies for personal and professional growth. She recognizes the courage it takes to reach out, and she offers a unique blend of counseling, hypnosis, and coaching, empowering clients to live their highest quality of life. As clients experience relief from their struggles, they can create change more quickly and easily—because they truly deserve it.

Arlene Holt understands that reaching out for help can feel overwhelming, especially when situations seem insurmountable. Often seen as a beacon of hope, she recognizes that she may be someone's last effort to navigate through their challenges. Arlene embodies warmth in her counseling sessions, establishing trust through non-judgmental listening. While she naturally offers empathy, she is also equipped to be direct with clients, providing observations that can facilitate their journey towards change. Working with individuals, couples, and families, she has experience with diverse couples aged 18 to 72. Clients seek Arlene's assistance for a variety of reasons, and she follows Rogerian theory—also known as narrative therapy—allowing clients to guide the session's direction. Additionally, with her training in EMDR, she helps relieve the stress associated with traumatic memories and other adverse life experiences. For couples, Arlene integrates important research from the Gottman method. For those feeling hurt, confused, or skeptical about therapy, it's important to remember that they are not alone; Arlene is genuinely committed to helping. She offers an initial 15-minute phone session free of charge to assist clients in making their decision about embarking on therapy.

Stephanie Jaramillo understands the challenges that individuals and couples face in their relationships. Many people experience tensions with a spouse, feeling unappreciated or grappling with detrimental habits such as alcohol, gaming, or pornography that can strain their bond. Life can often feel overwhelming, filled with stress and anxiety, and issues with family and in-laws may arise. With Stephanie's support, couples can reconnect and rediscover intimacy, while individuals can gain confidence to tackle their daily challenges. She specializes in guiding her clients through the complexities of life, fostering the skills necessary for a happier life and relationship. Her clients describe Stephanie as effective, impactful, and highly understanding, reflecting her profound empathy as someone who has also experienced the therapeutic journey. She is dedicated to helping others navigate the ups and downs of their lives with compassion and expertise.

Janelle Johnson is a compassionate therapist devoted to supporting adults and elders through life's challenges. With a focus on grief, anxiety, and relationship issues, she specializes in helping individuals navigate their emotional landscapes with care and understanding. Janelle employs an array of therapeutic modalities, including Trauma-Focused therapy, Person-Centered approaches, and Emotionally Focused techniques, ensuring that each client's unique needs are met. Her rich expertise encompasses coping skills, family conflict, self-esteem concerns, and the complexities of emotional disturbance. Janelle's multicultural perspective deeply informs her practice, allowing her to connect and resonate with clients from diverse backgrounds. She creates a safe and supportive environment where healing and growth can flourish, encouraging individuals to find their path towards recovery and well-being.

Shera Johnson understands that managing tough situations can be incredibly challenging, and she is committed to providing support. With a focus on adults facing struggles such as anxiety, depression, and early sobriety, Shera fosters an environment where individuals can cultivate self-appreciation, self-compassion, and a sense of calm. She believes that many solutions lie within, albeit sometimes hard to uncover. Through her expertise in culturally sensitive approaches, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and more, she helps clients identify goals and activities aligned with the life they wish to lead. Whether seeking individual or group therapy, clients are welcomed to engage with Shera to discover the path to their emotional well-being and resilience.

Barb Kamlet is a compassionate Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) dedicated to supporting teens, adults, and elders facing life’s more challenging transitions. With a professional focus on grief and the delicate intricacies of aging, Barb employs a person-centered and humanistic approach to therapy, ensuring that each individual feels heard and valued. Her proficiency in various modalities, including couples, individual, and group therapy, enhances her ability to connect with her clients. Barb also specializes in complicated grief treatment and provides clinical supervision for licensed supervisors, reinforcing her commitment to fostering growth and healing. Through her eclectic techniques, Barb guides her clients towards nurturing their emotional well-being and navigating the complexities of caregiving with empathy and understanding.

Kayla Kerekes, LCSW, is a skilled therapist who is passionate about guiding individuals through life's challenges, personal relationships, and self-discovery. With over a decade of experience, she specializes in helping adults and elders dealing with depression, trauma, PTSD, and anxiety. Kayla is adept in various therapeutic modalities including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and motivational interviewing, along with providing EMDR therapy for those needing specific trauma-focused interventions. She believes in understanding the underlying maladaptive patterns that shape her clients' perspectives and emotions, aiming to facilitate meaningful change. Her approach is rooted in empathy and collaboration, focusing on establishing a genuine connection with clients to explore their experiences and self-perceptions in a supportive environment. Kayla honors the opportunity to be part of her clients' journeys toward growth, resilience, and living a life free from shame, guilt, and blame. She is dedicated to empowering those she works with to break free from their limitations and embrace life wholeheartedly.

Grant Kobayashi-Hinds, LPCC, is a dedicated counselor whose passion for counseling is rooted in a strong belief in people and the capacity for meaningful change. His purpose is to meet clients exactly where they are in their journey, providing an open, safe, and supportive atmosphere for exploration and growth. Grant collaborates with individuals to create a solid therapeutic alliance, discovering the tools necessary for achieving their goals and enhancing their quality of life. He enjoys working with adult individuals and couples across various issues, including depression, anxiety, trauma, and relationship challenges. His approach to counseling is informed by a humanistic, person-centered perspective, emphasizing healing through the therapeutic relationship and self-awareness. By nurturing this relationship and fostering awareness, Grant offers empathy, genuineness, and support, focusing on the present moment. He believes that every person has the potential to be their best self and works alongside his clients to help them uncover that potential. Together, they can promote the ideal self.

Sara Koval is a dedicated therapist passionate about helping individuals achieve positive change in their lives. She understands that struggles with mood, anxiety, trauma, and addiction can impede personal growth. With a commitment to developing tailored plans, Sara collaborates with her clients to devise effective strategies addressing their unique issues and goals. Having worked in the behavioral health field since 2011, she has gained valuable experience working with diverse populations in various settings, making her adaptable to the distinct needs of each client. Her expertise lies extensively in assisting individuals coping with addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders. Acknowledging the challenges of seeking help, Sara strives to create a supportive environment where recovery and growth are not only possible but expected. If you or a loved one is experiencing difficulties and seeking a compassionate, knowledgeable therapist, she invites you to explore the opportunity to work together.

Christiane Laracuente believes that the dragonfly, a symbol of change recognized worldwide, embodies the journey of self-realization that stems from mental and emotional growth and the understanding of life's deeper meanings. This belief inspired her to name her practice Dragonfly Counseling, reflecting her mission as a dedicated agent of change for her clients. With over 25 years of experience working with children, youth, and families in diverse settings, she focuses on supporting them in overcoming a variety of issues, including anxiety, depression, anger management, grief, self-esteem challenges, relationship dynamics, family conflicts, and trauma. Christiane is an innovative and compassionate therapist who provides culturally relevant counseling, fostering an empathetic environment where clients feel heard and understood. Her extensive experience with culturally diverse individuals enables her to facilitate meaningful change, guiding clients on their path to emotional well-being and success.

Maria Lebovich understands that past events can evoke painful memories that linger long after they occur, making it difficult to confront them, even years later. She recognizes that many individuals struggle with self-worth and healthy relationships, even when they excel in other areas of life. For those who find it hard to relate to others reporting a happy childhood, Maria is dedicated to providing support in reclaiming the life they envision for themselves. She firmly believes in the potential for positive change and emphasizes that while the past cannot be altered, it does not have to dictate one's identity or future. Maria assists clients who have faced trauma in navigating their healing journey in a safe, non-judgmental environment, fostering feelings of relief and hope. She is committed to helping individuals enhance their self-worth, manage emotional triggers, and build healthier relationships with loved ones. Together with her clients, Maria crafts a personalized plan to facilitate the achievement of their goals, ensuring a holistic and tailored approach to their mental health needs.

Dr. Ann Lefevre is a compassionate Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 15 years of experience, primarily acquired at the Department of Veterans Affairs. She understands that experiencing tragedy, trauma, or abuse can lead to overwhelming emotions, anxiety, depression, and a sense of disconnection. Many individuals find themselves haunted by nightmares or troubling thoughts, isolating while grappling with feelings of helplessness. Whether struggling for years or facing new challenges, people can find hope and a path to recovery with Dr. Lefevre's guidance. Specializing in trauma, depression, and anxiety, she employs research-backed techniques aimed at fostering healing and resilience. Dr. Lefevre recognizes that reaching out for help can be daunting, so she takes a gentle approach, allowing clients to progress at their own pace. By offering secure telehealth sessions, she is committed to ensuring her services are accessible wherever clients may be located. Her dedication to meaningful recovery allows individuals to regain control over their lives, reconnect with others, and rebuild their emotional and physical intimacy.

At New Life Counseling, a dedicated team of professionals provides outpatient counseling services for adolescents, adults, couples, families, and groups across Ankeny and West Des Moines. With a strong foundation in psychology, mental health counseling, marriage and family therapy, and social work, the counselors are equipped with advanced training and certifications, including addictions counseling, EMDR, and coaching. Their faith-driven commitment to honoring each individual fosters a therapeutic environment that empowers clients with essential tools and techniques for positive life change. The team specializes in a range of therapeutic modalities such as Internal Family Systems (IFS), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), art therapy, and Christian counseling, addressing prevalent issues including marital and premarital challenges, anxiety, and men's issues. As professionals driven by compassion and understanding, they aim to walk alongside clients, providing support through life’s transitions toward emotional, psychological, relational, and spiritual health. At New Life Counseling, the mission is to create a safe space where individuals can thrive and make informed decisions for their well-being.