Anxiety and depression therapists and psychiatrists in Des Moines, IA

Dealing with grief, loss, or trauma? Feeling disconnected, alone, and unhappy? Struggling with relationships, addiction, or painful wounds from childhood? If you said yes to any of these, I can help. Often, the burdens of trauma manifests itself in mysterious ways and can lead to various concerns such as depression, anxiety, addiction, relationship difficulties, trust issues, isolation, and shame. These challenges can hinder healthy relationships and self-care.

Hello and thank you for looking at my profile. My approach to providing therapy is to Keep. It. Simple.

I focus on the mind-body connection to help you understand why things feel the way they do, how our brain and body interpret certain feelings and experiences, and then what you can do to try to manage those feelings and make situations feel more comfortable and under control.

I specialize working with adolescents, but welcome all ages and genders. My main areas of clinical focus are in mood disorders such as depression and anxiety.

I am a multi-state licensed therapist across California, Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, and Texas, specializing in helping adults navigate deep-seated mental health challenges alongside intense personal and professional transitions.

With vast clinical experience, I have served as a university career counselor, a specialist for healthcare professionals, and a dedicated clinician within both the US Navy Family Advocacy Program and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

My practice provides a highly supportive, practical space for college students, working adults at all career stages, healthcare workers, service members, Veterans, and the LGBTQIA+ community.

I blend empathetic listening with deep clinical insight to help you manage and heal from:

Core Mental Health & Neurodivergence:

Anxiety, depression, ADHD, autism, and identity exploration.

Trauma & Life Impact:

Complex trauma, PTSD, grief, loss, and managing chronic medical conditions.

Daily Survival:

Severe career burnout, relationship problems, and navigating life's overlapping pressures.

As a seasoned practitioner (since 2006) with a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, I have dedicated my career to mastering a diverse range of therapeutic modalities to better serve my clients.

My clinical practice is grounded in extensive training across several specialized frameworks, including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Additionally, I incorporate Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Interpersonal Psychotherapy, and Hypnotherapy into my work, allowing for a highly tailored and comprehensive approach to psychological wellness.

I provide personalized and focused men's health that includes the psychological, biological, and spiritual domains of health and wellness. I am a dual board certified nurse practitioner in family medicine and psychiatry, so I understand and can treat the whole person. My doctoral studies focused on integrative medicine with an emphasis on men's health. I also have degrees in pastoral counseling and biblical exposition, so I am able to offer faith-forward mental health care for those who desire an integrated Christian experience.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, stuck in painful relationship patterns, carrying the effects of trauma, or facing a life transition that feels hard to manage, therapy can be a place to exhale. I work with adults who want support making sense of what they’re going through and finding practical ways to feel more grounded, understood, and in control. I also support clients navigating family dynamics, including experiences related to autism, adoption, and complex relationships.

I'm Laura, an LMFT in Iowa with a background in Chicago and a straightforward approach: I'll tell you the truth in a supportive way, and we'll figure out together what actually helps. I work with individuals, couples, and families, and I have deep experience with addiction and recovery, including people with incarceration histories. I also have a special interest in working with adoptees and the unique challenges that experience can bring. If you want a therapist who is direct, warm, and genuinely in your corner, I’d love to work with you.

I'm a Clinical Psychologist with over 20 years of experience. I specialize in the treatment of trauma, PTSD, criminal victimization and perpetration and crisis intervention. Much of my work considers the effects of gender socialization, microaggressions, discrimination, social inequality and the stress that women and men face in their daily lives.

Outside of session, you'll usually find me running, on a yoga mat or watching basketball. I believe that cooking and gardening are special kinds of therapy.