Obsessive-compulsive disorder therapists & psychiatrists in Des Moines, IA

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.

As a licensed therapist serving clients in Iowa, I specialize in supporting individuals navigating complex life challenges with compassion and understanding. My approach centers on helping people heal from trauma, manage grief, and build resilience through personalized, faith-informed counseling. I have extensive experience working with diverse populations, including veterans, young adults, and individuals facing significant life transitions. My therapeutic practice focuses on addressing issues like social anxiety, self-esteem, communication challenges, and personal growth. Drawing from a trauma-informed and holistic perspective, I create a supportive environment where clients can explore their experiences, develop healthy coping strategies, and rediscover their inner strength. Whether you're struggling with workplace stress, relationship dynamics, or personal healing, I'm committed to walking alongside you with empathy and professional guidance. My practice welcomes individuals seeking a compassionate, conservative approach to mental health support, with a particular sensitivity to Christian perspectives and values. Together, we can work towards meaningful personal transformation and emotional well-being. I am a parent of 4 adult children. As a therapist, it is my honor to help my clients achieve their life goals and get to a calmer and more peaceful place. These past four years, I have completed thousands of live sessions with clients from all walks of life, careers, ages, financial status., and backgrounds. You will find our sessions productive, respectful, non-judgmental, interactive, supportive, creative, and informative. My rule is to listen to understand not to reply. You will feel heard and understood.

You’re the one who usually has everything under control, but lately, the "strong" version of you feels like a mask that’s getting too heavy to wear. Whether you’re a mother wondering why you feel detached from the life you worked so hard to build, or a parent exhausted by the cycle of ADHD-related challenges—you don’t have to carry this alone.

I provide a warm, judgment-free space where you can stop surviving and start thriving. My approach is patient-centered, trauma-informed, and evidence-based, tailored to move you toward a life where you feel present, connected, and capable.

I specialize in:

• Perinatal & Maternal Mental Health: Navigating the "new reality" of motherhood.
• High-Achieving Professionals: Managing burnout, perfectionism, and "mental load."
• Neurodiversity-Affirming Care: Supporting parents and children navigating ADHD and behavioral hurdles.

Why Work With Me?

I offer a "cozy" office experience in Houston, TX, and convenient virtual care across 7 states ( DE, FL, GA, IA, KS, MT, and TX). My goal is to make mental health easy, accessible and relatable.

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.

As a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Mental Health Counselor across three states, I believe that access to mental health care is a vital necessity. I am passionate about helping clients move forward and helping others regain their lives. Conducting therapy services for 14 years has taught me that therapy is a feedback loop, where clients learn from me as I learn from them.

I am strongly committed to supporting my clients on their journey toward healing and personal growth. My therapeutic approach is rooted in empathy, compassion, and a deep respect for each person's individual process.

Welcome! My name is Melanie and I am the own of A Mindfulness Practice LLC. I earned my MS in Counseling with a concentration in mental health at NOVA Southeastern University in 2019. I have experience working with adults who struggle with depression, anxiety, PTSD, and substance abuse. My work with adolescents includes depression, anxiety, trauma/PTSD, and sexual identity.

Working with clients, I want to have a collaborative relationship where they can feel heard, independent, empowered and become their own agent of change and growth. I want clients to feel safe, confidential, objective and challenged. I have worked in a variety of settings creating vast opportunities. I view myself as a lifelong learner and want to have that outlook to support, encourage and challenge others to strive for their own progress.