Des Moines, Iowa Therapists

Guide to Mental Health Resources in Des Moines, Iowa

Des Moines, Iowa is an important center for the United States Insurance industry with various financial services providers headquartered in the region and it is also well-known as ground zero for potential presidential campaigns throughout the national primary cycles. With a population of 217,521, according to a 2017 estimate, Des Moines is not only the capital, but it is also Iowa’s largest city. The city routinely ranks among the best places in the country to live in terms of cost of living and quality of life. It contains a buzzing metropolitan area while still maintaining the quaint small-town neighborhoods that have endeared it to its residents. But while the general outlook of the city is positive, residents have expressed concerns over the state of mental health within the area. Des Moines and Iowa are struggling to keep up with the demand for services.

An Impending Crisis
The residents of Iowa seem to recognize that the mental health system in their state needs to change to keep up with demand. This is especially important for children and adolescents who, if left untreated, will likely go on to become adults with further mental health issues.

According to one study, one in five children in Iowa has a mental health disorder but only half of those children will receive mental health services in a given year. The same report stated that about one in four adults in the state suffers from a mental health disorder. To put a halt to this trend, cities like Des Moines will need to improve access to care for its residents.

If you are one of the many who are grappling with some form of mental illness, know that you are not alone and that there are resources that can help you deal with your challenges. If you are suffering from anxiety, stress, substance abuse, or other conditions that are adversely affecting your quality of life it may be time for you to connect with a Des Moines mental health professional or therapist.

It can be a difficult process to admit that you need outside help, but it might be one of the best decisions you will make. When you are ready to find a therapist in the Des Moines area, we can make your search easier. The process of finding the right services starts with understanding what your unique needs and preferences are.

Questions to Ask Yourself When Looking for a Therapist

You can save yourself some time and confusion by first thinking about what kind of help might best suit you and your condition. If you can communicate and describe the outcomes you are looking for, it may help narrow down for you the types of services that will help you the most. Also, understanding your preferences may lead you to find a professional that is best suited to your personality. A few questions that you might want to start with are:

• What problems or conditions are you seeing a professional for?
• What is the result you are hoping to get out of therapy?
• Are you more comfortable speaking with a man or a woman about your history and problems?
• What type of time commitment can you make to the process?
• Is there a specific medical condition you are dealing with that may best be addressed by a specialist (for example substance abuse)?

There are many other aspects that you may want to consider but this is a good place to start. The objective of this exercise is to get to know more about the circumstances under which you may respond best to the therapeutic process. It can be challenging to face these issues, so having a supportive environment that is tailored to you can help greatly.

Will Your Health Insurance Pay?

Whether your health insurance company will pay for your treatment may be a big consideration for what services you choose. We suggest getting in touch with your provider to find out if they will cover all or some of the cost of these mental health services. Many insurance companies have a list of preferred professionals that they work with. Selecting someone on this list may lower the out-of-pocket costs for you.