Meet Our Therapists in Des Moines, IA 

"Your life doesn't get better by chance, it gets better by change." I believe this to be true and work collaboratively with my clients to achieve the change necessary for things to improve. Life can be overwhelming and stressful. It can be difficult to figure out what changes are needed or how to go about making changes. It could be a career change, relationships that need to be examined, or developing new skills to deal with anxiety, depression, and stress. I offer a calm, warm setting for you to explore areas in your life that you want to improve.

"The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new." I provide solution-focused, person-centered therapy based on your strengths. I provide coaching to identify and develop skills to help you move forward towards the changes desired.

I am a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor and provide career counseling and coaching. I offer convenient afternoon/evening and weekend appointments.

I believe the first step to all healing and change is to desire something different. The fact that you are considering counseling is a good sign. I would be honored to hear your story and be involved in your journey.

I am an exceptional listener with over 20 years of experience helping people in various roles. I work hard to provide an encouraging atmosphere that will help you find the courage to hope for something better and to risk trying something new. 

In addition to other forms of therapy, I am trained in EMDR. EMDR is a treatment that is particularly helpful for victims of trauma, including complex trauma.

Congratulations on taking the first step to healing. At times life can be very challenging and keep us from becoming the person we see ourself becoming/being. Those challenges can come in many forms. They can be social, emotional, physical, financial or spiritual. I offer an environment that is peaceful and free of judgement. I am an exceptional listener with 17 yrs of experience working with individuals and families involved in the Child Welfare and Judicial Systems. I provide individual, family and couples counseling. You don't have to feel alone, I am here to take the journey with you!

My experience includes working with adolescents and adults dealing with: depression, anxiety, grief/loss, PTSD, life stressors, relationship issues, personality disorders, ADHD, trauma and suicidal ideations. Interventions include: EMDR Certified, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness-Based-Cognitive-Therapy and Person Centered Therapy.

It would be an honor to work with you! My hours are flexible and include afternoons, evenings and weekends.

My name is Whitney Anderson & I am a therapist (T-LMHC) who works with children, adolescents, teens & families. My goal is to help clients reach their full potential by making sure they have the tools they need to be successful. I earned my undergraduate degree in Child Adult & Family Services from Iowa State University in 2012 & a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Drake University in 2021. I use a client-centered approach which allows a flexible environment for therapy. I also use play therapy as a tool to build relationships with younger clients which fosters communication & healing. My hope is to provide a safe, judgement-free space to explore your needs and make positive change. I am honored to walk alongside you in your journey to healing. 

Andye Jones has 30 years of experience of working with children, teens and families in Des Moines and surrounding areas in a variety of different capacities. Having over 13 years of Child Welfare and Juvenile Court experience allows her to advocate in a unique way for her clients and help them navigate through the legal and DHS systems while also helping them meet their own personal therapy goals. 

Andye has held positions throughout the life of her career at Orchard Place, Gerard Services of Iowa, Lutheran Services of Iowa, Iowa Department of Human Services, United Community Services, Counseling for Growth and Change, New Sight and Optimae Behavioral Health. She currently works full time at Affinity Therapy where she has worked for the past 4 years.

Andye strongly believes in meeting clients where they are and providing client focused therapy with a non-judgmental style. She is direct but compassionate and works hard to help clients feel comfortable in the therapeutic setting. She believes the therapy relationship is a real relationship and encourages open dialogue. Abdye enjoys working with a variety of issues but her passion lies in working with couples and with individuals dealing with relationship issues, grief and loss issues, anxiety, anger and physical/sexual abuse issues. Andye primarily uses the following treatment modalities: CBT, DBT, Narrative therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy, Attachment Therapy and Person Centered Therapy as well as grief counseling.  Andye also co-facilitated teen sexual offender groups for 7 years.

Andye holds a Bachelor’s of Social Work from Iowa State University and a Master’s of Social Work from the University of Iowa. Andye is an LISW in the State of Iowa. Andye enjoys reading, napping, watching television, listening to music, singing and spending time with friends and family in her spare time. 

Thank you for taking the first step toward your own healing! It is truly an honor to walk with clients on the path toward better wellness. My core values are the love of learning, honesty, growth, kindness, and respect, which all show up in my work with clients. I pride myself in co-creating a safe space for clients to be fully seen, heard, and supported. My approach can be described as inclusive, compassionate, direct, innovative, and non-judgmental, with some humor thrown in the mix. 

With over 16 years of experience working in the wellness field, my philosophy integrates mindfulness, somatics, breathwork, and holistic practices. I utilize trauma-informed care, strengths-based therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy(CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and more. This fall, I will begin studying EMDR. 

My past experience ranges from working with children in school settings to adults, couples, and families in private practice. I’m passionate about helping people navigate life’s challenges. I have experience with clients with trauma, relationship issues, anxiety, depression, grief/loss, PTSD, LGBTQ+ issues, sexual abuse, sex issues, life transitions, perinatal mood disorders, addiction, and personality disorders. I’m currently taking individual adolescent and adult clients, as well as couples and families.

I have a Bachelor of Arts and a Masters in Social Work from the University of Iowa. I am a proud member of the National Association of Social Workers and the American Association of Sex Therapists and Educators. I look forward to working with you!

I have worked in the mental health field since 1995. I have made it my mission to provide my clients with therapy services that center around respect and cultural sensitivity. I make every effort to help my client feel welcome, safe, and accepted for the unique person that they are. As my client, you will always be treated with care no matter what has transpired in your life, so that your journey towards healing and growth will be a time of discovery that will bring you confidence and peace.

I love people and I love our clients. My favorite part of the job as office manager, receptionist, credentialing coordinator, etc. is to make clients feel welcomed. I also love serving the clinicians at Affinity.

My experience includes 13 years of working in an office setting in the mental health field. I retired for 2 years & after doing some work from home for a while, decided to come back to full time work & I’m so glad I did.

Affinity is a great place of hope & healing. I look forward to seeing you!

Ayo Davis-Yeboah has spent their life using personal and career experiences to support clients with living their best life and provide them with the tools they need to make good decisions for themselves. Becoming a parent at a young age, they know how poor decisions can affect every facet of one’s life as well as the lives of their loved ones. While their focus is on teenage identifying females and non-binary individuals, they also provide services to adult identifying women who have been victims of violence.

They know there is no single approach that works for everyone, so they continue to educate themselves on emerging modalities and psychological trends to provide the most comprehensive program that works for each client’s individual needs. Ayo has experience in Person Centered Therapy, Existential, and Reality Therapy.

Ayo received their education at Drake University with a Master of Science from the School of Education. They also hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Upper Iowa University.

I have been working in the mental health field since 2015. I started working in a residential PMIC facility for children with more severe mental health needs. I later became a BHIS worker where I worked in the home with children and families to help them achieve their behavioral goals. From 2018 until I came to Affinity in 2023, I have been working as a substance use counselor for teenagers. Often many of the youth that I worked with had some form of juvenile court or DHHS involvement.

My specialties are in areas around substance use, grief/loss, anxiety, depression and working with diverse populations. I am trained in a variety of modalities including Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Rational-Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Trust Based Relational Interventions (TBRI), and Motivational Interviewing.

MS, TLMHC from Affinity Therapy and Counseling. Lance has worked in the counseling profession for 25 plus years. His experience includes working with adolescents and adults dealing with: depression, anxiety, grief/loss, PTSD, life stressors, relationship issues, personality disorders, ADHD and trauma. Interventions include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness-Based-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Person-Centered Therapy.

I am passionate about creating an accepting environment where clients feel safe sharing their emotional experiences and vulnerabilities while working through challenges. Guided by genuineness, non-bias, and person centered empathy, I sincerely believe clients are the experts within their own lives. Each and every individual possesses their own unique set of experiences, values, beliefs, family system and culture.

I strive to help clients become more self aware. It is my goal to help individuals discover who they are, who they wish to become, and to assist in discovering their own forward in life by overcoming their past or present challenges.

My experience includes working with adolescents and adults experiencing anxiety, depression, parenting and relationship issues, LGBTQ related issues, codependency, addiction, anger, and trauma related issues. I offer a free 15 minute online or phone consultation for you to see if we are a good fit. I look forward to hearing from you!

I am a Licensed Mental Health Therapist (LMHC) that provides therapy suited to fit individual needs. My clinical experience includes; child, adolescent, marriage and relationship counseling, life transition, depression/anxiety, and general life issues. I specialize in sexual issues and mental health, across the life span, with an emphasis on healing from sexual trauma. I provide a safe place to discuss concerns within the realm of sex, such as concerns over intimacy, concerns about sexual desire or arousal, sexual anxieties, sexual interests, or orientation

Modalities I incorporate are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectic Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). Motivational Interviewing, (MI) Child-Centered Play-Therapy (CCPT), Structural Family Therapy. I incorporate holistic interventions such as Yoga, Mindfulness and Meditation, Wellness Recovery Action Plan, Music, and Art