Book a therapist or psychiatrist in Des Moines, IA covered by Aetna

I'm a social worker with over a decade of fieldwork with various populations in numerous settings. My breadth of experience affords me special insight into and a deep passion for infertility, perinatal and postpartum struggles, chronic illness, and military life. Working together is mutually beneficial: I get to put years of schooling and experience into practice, and you get to work towards improved overall wellness.

I am a Christian Licensed Clinical Social Worker. My faith in the Holy Trinity of The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit greatly shape my life, and my work. I believe you have everything you need within you to achieve your goals and heal.

If you've been awake at 3am running the same loop, or carrying something that happened to you that still shows up in your body years later, or white-knuckling your way through a job that takes more than it gives — you're in the right place. I'm Saleena Neuhaus, and I've been a clinical social worker for more than 13 years. I'm down-to-earth, evidence-based, conversational, and I think shared humor belongs in the therapy room — you're not going to get a blank stare and a notepad from me. My work centers on anxiety, depression, PTSD and trauma, insomnia and sleep problems, ADHD, adjustment and life change, occupational stress, and the relational stuff sitting underneath a lot of it. Sleep is a particular focus of mine, and it's often the thread worth pulling first — when sleep comes back, everything else gets more workable. I've trained and practiced as a trauma-informed provider, which in practice means we move at your pace and nothing gets forced open before you're ready. Most of all, I want you to leave with real hope that recovery is possible and that feeling better is genuinely available to you.

I believe that therapy is a space that belongs to you and is nurtured by your therapist for you. Through this healing environment, I give you the tools to change self-defeating behaviors.

I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Temple University and my Master of Social Work from Indiana University. With over 10 years of experience, I support individuals in managing anxiety, navigating depression, and healing from past trauma.

My approach blends evidence-based practices such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and mindfulness with a spiritually grounded perspective. While therapy is rooted in clinical skill, I also create space for deeper connection—often integrating spiritual awareness into the work for those who are open to it. I believe healing is not just mental, but also deeply internal and, at times, spiritual.

There are seasons in life when you're trying to understand who you are while also carrying the expectations of everyone around you. You may be navigating a new chapter in motherhood, questioning your relationships, exploring your identity, or feeling weighed down by anxiety that's become difficult to manage on your own. Whatever brings you here, you deserve a space where you can show up exactly as you are and feel genuinely supported. I provide virtual therapy for adolescents, adults, and older adults throughout Nebraska, helping people navigate anxiety, LGBTQIA+ concerns, maternal mental health, and relationship issues while also supporting women's issues, family challenges, trauma, stress, infertility, identity exploration, panic disorders, and cultural experiences that often become part of life's biggest transitions. My goal is to help you feel understood, reconnect with your strengths, and move toward a life that feels more authentic and fulfilling.