professional Counseling

Stress and anxiety are part of our day-to-day lives, but what do you do when things get to be “too much?”

Professional therapy is one way to work through life’s problems and therapists at Catholic Charities provide supportive relationships with a focus on managing anxiety in a positive way.

Our licensed, professional therapists work with clients of all faiths regarding a number of issues including depression, anxiety, stress, issues concerning relationships, child behavior problems, marital conflict, eating disorders, sexual abuse, separation and divorce issues, criminal behavior, addictions, physical handicaps, health problems and spiritual crisis.

Counseling is available for individuals, couples and families in downtown Des Moines, Ankeny, Waukee, Perry and Council Bluffs. Evening appointments are available.

Insurance is now accepted and the program also serves those without insurance through a sliding scale fee structure that is based on income and family size.

If you or someone you know is interested in talking with a therapist, contact Catholic Charities Counseling Offices in Des Moines at 515-237-5045 or in Council Bluffs at 712-328-3086.

Meet our Therapists

Sharon Bandstra, L.I.S.W, (Des Moines Offices) has more than 30 years experience providing counseling in a clinical setting. Bandstra has extensive training in Bowen Family Systems Theory from the Bowen Center for the Study of the Family in Washington, D.C. and was recently honored by the University of Iowa Phi Alpha Honor Society for Social Work Students for her work with Master’s level interns for more than 20 years.

Stacie Weires, L.I.S.W, (Des Moines Offices) has more than 20 years experience in the social work field in a variety of areas including in-patient hospitalization, day treatment, drug and alcohol abuse and offenders treatment. A large portion of her experience is in working with children and families.

Krista Long, L.I.S.W., has worked in the field of social work for almost 20 years in various settings, including domestic violence, public schools and the Department of Social Services. Long has been a therapist at Catholic Charities for 7 years and has extensive training and experience in Bowen Family Systems Theory from the Bowen Center for the Study of the Family in Washington, D.C.

Betty Mond, (Des Moines Offices) is a bilingual therapist and works primarily with the Hispanic population. Originally from Argentina, Mond has experience in private practice, the hospital setting, and a large portion of her work is with stress and grief experienced by immigrants.

Ruth Campbell, L.I.S.W. (Des Moines Offices) has more than 24 years counseling experience with individuals, couples and families, and has extensive training and experience in Bowen Family Systems Theory from the Bowen Center for the Study of the Family in Washington, D.C.

Pat Curran, L.I.S.W, (Council Bluffs Offices) has been with Catholic Charities in the Council Bluffs office for almost 20 years. She has completed a certificate program through the Meninger Clinic on Marriage and Family Therapy and is a trained sex offender treatment provider.

Carolyn Shannon, L.I.S.W, (Council Bluffs Offices) has been with Catholic Charities for more than 10 years and is an Iowa Certified Domestic Abuse Advocate Level III and an Iowa Certified Sexual Abuse Counselor. Her post graduate work is in Bowen Family Systems Theory, Trauma and Addiction, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.