Psychological Testing and Evaluation Therapists in Iowa

Welcome to Ames Therapy where your mental well-being is our utmost priority. We understand that life's journey can be challenging, and at times, we all need a helping hand to navigate the ups and downs. Our dedicated team of compassionate professionals is here to provide you with the support and guidance you need to achieve mental and emotional wellness. You are not alone on this path, and we are here to walk it with you. We bring a wealth of experience and expertise to help you on your journey . Our team of highly qualified and compassionate counselors has collectively spent decades working in the field of mental health.

We are an interdisciplinary team made up of Licensed Therapists and Social Workers. Together we are able to provide a comprehensive and holistic approach to mental health treatment which includes; mental health assessment, counseling, referral, skill development, play therapy, sand tray therapy, and substance use. We serve children, teens, adults, couples and families at our Polk and Marion County offices, along with school locations throughout Central Iowa. We have offices in Ankeny, Knoxville and West Des Moines.

Having been a clinical mental health therapist for 25 years, I recognize the decision to seek help can be difficult and challenging. My practice endeavors to create a comfortable and safe environment exploring your concerns in a collaborative and professional manner. I am committed in working to provide real solutions empowering individuals, couples, and families to achieve their personal and professional goals. I welcome the opportunity to meet with you and discuss how therapy may be helpful with your needs.

I am a licensed psychologist and avid yogi who is excited to practice in a setting that embraces the mind-body connection. I strive to create a safe and empowering environment in which you and I work towards making changes that will bring you closer to a satisfying and fulfilling life. I use a strengths-based, collaborative approach to help each client feel empowered, develop insight and improve quality of life. ​I enjoy working with a variety of clients and needs. I prefer to view the therapy relationship as collaborative and egalitarian.

I am a Licensed Clinical Psychologist who specializes in working with adults and older adults who are experiencing emotional distress and/or who are concerned about age-related cognitive changes. I believe early assessment of memory or other suspected changes reduces anxiety, provides information that can improve brain health, and helps clients and their loved ones prepare for the future. Cognitive evaluations include interview, testing, review of results, and a report to you and/or your healthcare provider.

My name is James (Jim) Allington and I am a licensed psychologist with Health Services Psychologist certification from the National Register of Health Service Psychologists. My preferred pronouns are he / him / his and I have completed Safe Zone Training (Specialty training with and for people who identify as LGBTQIA?). I’ve helped in many settings, ranging from Community Mental health, state as well as governmental institutions, and universities. Thank you your time and consideration! Apologies: I do not offer couples counseling and cannot offer psychological assessment at this time.

I place a large emphasis on understanding an individual's relationships and view the therapy relationship as the primary vehicle for change. I believe that through the therapy relationship individuals can work through difficult emotions, learn adaptive information/skills, and increase self-knowledge in order to achieve positive change in their life.

I believe that childhood interactions play a huge part in the development of psychological pain, wounds, and hurts. I am sensitive to the process of therapy and work hard to make it a safe and trusting space for you and myself to work together. The here and now interactions in the room are important and I intentionally use them to foster the healing process. Your strengths and goals are important to the way I work because my aim is to free up the energy that has been suppressed by pain so that you can focus on the things that are important to you.

I have limited my practice to psychological evaluations after 40 years in order to do what I like the best. I have done hundreds of evaluations over the years including forensic evaluations (custody evals, parental fitness evals, sex offender evals) and non- forensic evaluations ( ADHD, complex patient evals, and diagnostic evals), My goal is to produce succinct, timely and useful reports and to provide collaborative support to persons seeking my services.

Dr. Mark Poeppe ("Peppy") specializes in psychological assessment and is particularly interested in objective psychological, neuropsychological, and forensic assessment for all ages. In addition to assessment services, Dr. Poeppe provides psychotherapy to adults, adolescents, and children. His assessment scope includes but is not limited to disability examinations, veteran’s compensation examinations, child custody evaluations, workman’s compensation, personal injury, ADHD, Intellectual Disability waivers, academic learning disabilities, memory, neurodevelopmental disorders and cognitive functioning.

I work primarily with children, teenagers, and young adults (college students) who struggle with a variety of issues, including anxiety, depression, mood disorders, developmental disorders (such as Autism), ADHD, PTSD, OCD, eating disorders, and general stress due to life transitions. I have experience working with victims of abuse, and with foster children. I also work with parents who are struggling with their children due to significant behavior or emotional difficulties. I have worked in several settings including psychiatric hospitals, residential treatment facilities, schools, community mental health, and in private practice.

Central Iowa Psychological Services helps enable children, teens, adults, and families to live more fulfilling and productive lives, children to be more resilient, and families to be happier and healthier. We serve the greater Des Moines area through multiple community sites, collaborations with local partnerships, and telehealth services. Conveniently located in West Des Moines, Ames, and Ankeny, our caring staff welcomes clients in a safe and accepting environment.

We're accepting new clients! Willow Grove Therapy strives to be a welcoming, safe space. Our therapists enjoy helping a variety of people - from age 10 through retirement - to feel more fulfilled and grounded in their daily lives. Our goal is always to meet clients where they are and offer support to move in the direction of their goals.

I appreciate your consideration of me as your therapist. I am committed to assisting my clients in achieving their potential, and although I am a practitioner of several validated effective therapies, perhaps the most important trait I bring to my clients, is to be present for them and make an effort to create an environment that promotes wellness. "EMDR" is a psychotherapy that enables people to heal from the symptoms and emotional distress that are the result of disturbing life experiences.

Do you ever feel so overwhelmed with life that you're not sure where to go or who to turn too? Stressed, anxious, alone, added with frustration, heartbreak, and grief? It's okay to feel and sometimes you need to tell someone exactly how you're doing without being judged or told "Get over it". Sometimes you need a quick reminder that you are human and life can be difficult. If you want to learn how to cope, and live feeling more positive, I am the therapist for you. I work with all age levels and backgrounds and have been in the counseling field since 2006.

At Tanager Place, we believe that children are our future, and we want to help them be the best they can be. Our team of dedicated providers will support your child in reaching their optimal potential by helping them be socially engaged, happy, healthy, and headed for a bright future. If you are concerned about your child's social, emotional, or behavioral wellbeing, we are here with experts ready to help.

“We do not grow by knowing all of the answers, but rather by living with the questions.” - Max De Pree. “Be curious, not judgmental.” -Ted Lasso These two quotes sum up my approach to therapy, and hopefully, to life. Our brains are naturally wired to make sense of things, to organize information into understandable experiences and thoughts. This relentless pursuit of understanding can lead to new discoveries, new technologies, new medicines. However, it can also lead to stress, burnout, anxiety, and depression. Balance between curiosity and living with the questions is necessary to a life of integrity.

Clinicians at Central Iowa Psychological Services put client's first and see ourselves as facilitators for your growth. We help you deal with emotional problems, relationship/family concerns, and several learning and behavioral issues with all ages. We use psychological testing and empirically-based counseling strategies along with our expert knowledge and experience in helping people change. We are located in Ames, Ankeny, and Des Moines Iowa. You can view our therapist's specialties and resume's on our web site at www.iowacounseling.com.

I work with teens and adults experiencing a wide range of issues and concerns including anxiety, trauma, depression, anger, drug and alcohol use, work/school problems, relationship issues, gender, sexual orientation, self harm, and suicidality. In addition to discussing the challenges that led you to this place in your life, many find it helpful to discuss goals for therapy, as well as hopes, aspirations, and strengths, in order to help you create a path toward the life that you seek.