At Ames, Altoona, and West Des Moines Therapy & Consulting offices, you and your therapist will work closely together during your sessions. Our clinical training and expertise enables our counselors to challenge and support you. Because confidentiality is paramount, it is important to have a safe space where you feel comfortable sharing whatever you like, without feeling embarrassed or judged. Our mental health experts are here to put you at ease, and support you on your journey to living a happier, healthier life.

How can therapy help me?

A number of benefits are available from participating in therapy. Your therapist can provide support, share problem-solving skills, and teach you enhanced coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress management, body image issues and creative blocks. Many people also find that their counselor can be a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues, and the hassles of daily life. Therapists can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a solution. The benefits you obtain from therapy depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn. With the right mindset, you can:

Improve your self-esteem and boost self-confidence

Discover new ways to solve problems in your family or marriage

Change old behavior patterns and developing new ones

Improve communications and listening skills

Manage anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures

Learn new ways to cope with stress and anxiety

Find resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy

Develop skills for improving your relationships

Attain a better understanding of yourself, your goals and values

Does what we talk about in therapy remain confidential?

Confidentiality is one of the most important components between a client and psychotherapist. Successful therapy requires a high degree of trust with highly sensitive subject matter that is usually not discussed anywhere but the therapist's office. Every therapist should provide a written copy of their confidential disclosure agreement, and you can expect that what you discuss in session will not be shared with anyone. This is called “Informed Consent”. 

In some cases, you may want your therapist to share information or give an update to someone on your healthcare team (your Physician, Psychiatrist, or Nurse Practitioner), but by law your therapist cannot release this information without obtaining your written permission.

However, state law and professional ethics require therapists to maintain confidentiality except for the following situations:

- Suspected past or present abuse or neglect of children, adults, and elders to the authorities, including Child Protection and law enforcement, based on information provided by the client or collateral sources.

- If the therapist has reason to suspect the client is seriously in danger of harming him/herself or has threatened to harm another person.

Clinical Telehealth

Technology has integrated itself with our society. Daily we use technology to communicate at a very rapid pace. As technology continues to grow it has begun to stretch out into many venues. One of these venues is counseling.

Our philosophy with clinical telehealth technology sessions assist the patient and his or her convenience/schedule.  The goal will always be to provide the best practices and promote the highest clinical standards. Ames Therapy and Consulting utilizes HIPPA Compliant Videoconferencing. Our clients will be able to access immediate care conveniently and privately now with the option to follow up in person.  Clinical telehealth is a venue to provide evidenced based mental health treatment which embraces a new and evolving technology/practice, bringing many advantages to the demands of counseling:

ADVANTAGES:

Access to care - For those currently quarantined this allows immediate mental health care and continuity of care with your existing clients; those in rural areas seeking providers, and overall convenience for the client.

Brief Interventions - connection with counselors during acute issues is now readily available. Provides immediate counseling for situations such as situational issues, depression, anxiety, stress management, and more.

Safety to Clients -  offers greater access for counselor interaction in a highly concentrated setting. Our staff wants to provide quality mental health care and continue to keep you and the clinical counseling profession safe.

Initial paperwork will still need to be completed by each client. All of our initial paperwork can be easily accessed on one's HIPPA complaint online portal connected to our offices. You will be able to immediately book online or call in and schedule your appointment. You are able to schedule by clicking 'Book Now' above or call.