Counseling in Des Moines, IA. Find the Right Therapist.

Safe, effective, and caring. Affordable therapists near you in Des Moines, Iowa will help you make the changes you want.


Susan Marie Guenther, Ph.D., LMT

Susan Marie Guenther, Ph.D., LMT

Licensed Psychologist

2800 Rutland Ave, Des Moines, Iowa 50311 | 515-279-0631

I am a licensed psychologist in private practice with over 30 years experience working with individuals, couples, families & groups. With years of experience and varied interests, I am able to work with a broad range of clients and the problems or issues they present.

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Location: Des Moines, Iowa

Des Moines, Iowa

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Related Sites:
City of Des Moines
Iowa Board of Public Health

Therapy Des Moines, IA

Counseling Windsor Heights, West Des Moines, Urbandale, Norwalk, Avon, Pleasant Hill, Clive, Grimes, Johnston, Berwick, Ankeny, Berwick

Located in the middle of the state of Iowa, Des Moines is the capital of the state with approximately 198,000 residents within the city, and 556,000 residents in the metropolitan area. The area has very warm summers that are humid, and cold, snowy winters. Since there is a lot of humidity, there are frequent thunderstorms in the afternoons during the spring and summer. There can also be quite a bit of snow during the winter, upwards of an average of 36 inches of snow a year. The city has a plethora of arts and theatre options for visitors and residents, such as the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines which hosts Broadway shows, along with other live theatre performances.1 The Des Moines Playhouse and Temple for Performing Arts are also venues for live theatre performances, great for the whole family. Des Moines also has a Symphony, free jazz shows during July, and many other outdoor concerts held at the Riverfront Amphitheater.

Mental Health in Des Moines

Whether it's an addiction, ADHD, grief or a severe and persistent mental illness, people who struggle with mental health issues need a strong system of support in order to effectively recover. In Des Moines, numerous organizations provide opportunities for mentally ill residents to come together and support one another. The Des Moines chapter of Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) has monthly meetings at which those with ADHD can discuss their experiences openly in a safe place. CHADD also provides many educational resources to learn more about the disorder and develop strategies for managing symptoms.2 Individuals who struggle with mental health issues of all kinds can also find encouragement in support groups facilitated by the Des Moines chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). NAMI groups meet each week and are facilitated by people that have lived with poor mental health.3 For additional details, call NAMI at 515-277-0672 or CHADD at 515-223-6730.

Mental health issues disproportionately impact individuals who are poor, unemployed or underemployed, or homeless. For the United Way of Central Iowa, the key to improving the mental health of area residents is to ensure they have adequate employment in order to cover daily expenses, have secure housing, and have nutritious meals. Once these basic needs are met, addressing mental illness becomes much easier. The United Way's financial programs help residents finish their high school educations, obtain workforce training, and find permanent housing, each of which serve as stabilizing factors. Contact the United Way at 515-246-6605 for further information.4

Current Initiatives

First Five is a statewide initiative aimed at early detection of social-emotional disturbances in children under the age of five. The program also helps primary care physicians and mental health workers identify developmental delays and family-related risk factors that could exacerbate any developmental issues. Furthermore, the initiative makes the referral process easier, so children and their families get appropriate care and interventions in a timely manner. By taking an early focus on these issues, the state hopes to minimize the financial and emotional toll of childhood onset mental health issues.5


References

1. Des Moines Performing Arts. (2017). Willis Broadway Series. Retrieved from http://www.desmoinesperformingarts.org/series/willis-broadway-series/2014-2015/.
2. Greater Des Moines Branch of CHADD of Iowa. (2009). About. Retrieved from http://www.chadd.net/template.cfm?affid=597&p=about.
3. National Alliance on Mental Illness of Greater Des Moines. (2017). Support Groups. Retrieved from https://www.namigdm.org/en/get_help/support_groups/.
4. United Way of Central Iowa. (2017). Increasing Financial Stability. Retrieved from http://www.alliancefamilyservices.com/developmental_disability_program.htm.
5. Iowa Department of Public Health. (2017). First Five. Retrieved from http://www.idph.state.ia.us/1stfive/.

Des Moines is a city that is located in multiple counties- Warren County and Polk County in Iowa. It has a land area of 88.93 square miles and a water area of 1.79 square miles.  The population of Des Moines is 210,330 people with 81,717 households and a median annual income of $46,290. .


Therapy Affordability Meter for Des Moines, IA

Some budgeting needed

While counseling can certainly be an expense for individuals and families in Des Moines, with proper budgeting, it is entirely do-able and the risk/reward is worth it. For some families, it may be difficult to sustain a commitment to therapy without proper insurance coverage. If this is you, ask your therapist about low cost options as practitoners in and around Des Moines may have flexibility or sliding scales. Low cost counseling and affordable therapy are also sometimes offered by listed city and university level clinics, check with your local Des Moines public health department.