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Best Child And Teen Therapists in Des Moines, IA (2026)

17 child and teen therapists ranked by RP ScoreUpdated 0 paid placements in this rankingHow we rank →

The short answer

  1. 1

    Best overall in Des Moines: Sagent Behavioral Health - Des Moines, RP Score 62/100; 4.3★ from 54 Google reviews; open Saturdays until 2 PM.

  2. 4

    Most-reviewed: Ankeny Family Counseling, 56 Google reviews at 4.0★, the most of 17 ranked; ranked #4.

Rankings can't be bought. Psychologists can't pay to change their rank or score. How we rank

17 Des Moines child and teen therapists are ranked here by RP Score, from eight published factors. 4 open Saturdays and 2 open Sundays, based on posted hours. The median Google rating is 4.8★ across 17 rated practices.

Top 10 child and teen therapists in Des Moines at a glance

Ranked by the RP Score from public listing data, not by treatment outcomes; Sponsored placements are shown separately and never change rank.

Top 10 child and teen therapists in Des Moines at a glance
RankBusinessRP ScoreGoogle ratingBased inHoursBest for
1Sagent Behavioral Health - Des Moines624.3★ (54)Des MoinesSat · EveningsOverall
2Red Couch Counseling LLC- Ankeny583.6★ (55)Ankeny, 8 mi awaySat · Sun · Evenings—
3Stride Autism Centers - South Des Moines–Fleur Drive ABA Therapy585.0★ (11)Des Moines——
4Ankeny Family Counseling574.0★ (56)Ankeny, 7 mi awaySat · EveningsMost reviews
5Thriveworks Counseling & Therapy West Des Moines563.7★ (15)West Des Moines, 10 mi awaySat · Sun · Evenings—
6Bloom Women's Wellness564.9★ (55)Urbandale, 8 mi away——
7Step Ahead ABA Therapy In Iowa563.7★ (3)Des Moines——
8MWI Health - West Des Moines544.8★ (19)West Des Moines, 8 mi awayEvenings—
9Stride Autism Centers - Urbandale ABA Therapy545.0★ (16)Urbandale, 7 mi away——
10Sagent Behavioral Health- Ankeny534.5★ (36)Ankeny, 10 mi awayEvenings—

The 17 best child and teen therapists in Des Moines, ranked

Ordered by RP Score, a 0–100 score from eight published factors. Paid placement never changes the order.

Ranked by the RP Score from public listing data, not by treatment outcomes; Sponsored placements are shown separately and never change rank.

Scores below: based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected. Hatched segments mark factors we don't have yet.

  4. #4 Ankeny Family Counseling

    Based in Ankeny, 7 mi away

    57/100RP Score

    Ranked #4 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 4.0★ from 56 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Counselor”.

    • 4.0★ from 56 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Thu 8 AM–8 PM · Fri 8 AM–5 PM · Sat 9 AM–1 PM · Sun closed
    Address
    1910 SW Plaza Shops Ln, Ankeny, IA 50023
    View profile for Ankeny Family Counseling(515) 508-1150

  6. #6 Bloom Women's Wellness

    Based in Urbandale, 8 mi away

    56/100RP Score

    Ranked #6 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 4.9★ from 55 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Mental health service”.

    • 4.9★ from 55 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    10574 Justin Dr, Urbandale, IA 50322
    View profile for Bloom Women's Wellness(515) 499-4959

  15. #15 Audrey Giese, LMHC, LLC

    Based in West Des Moines, 8 mi away

    51/100RP Score

    Ranked #15 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 4 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Counselor”.

    • 5.0★ from 4 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon 9 AM–5 PM · Tue–Wed 9:30 AM–5 PM · Thu 9 AM–4:30 PM · Fri–Sun closed
    Address
    1200 Valley W Dr Ste 204, West Des Moines, IA 50266
    View profile for Audrey Giese, LMHC, LLC(515) 868-0443

  16. #16 Lighthouse Counseling (LHC)

    Based in West Des Moines, 10 mi away

    51/100RP Score

    Ranked #16 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 4 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Mental health clinic”.

    • 5.0★ from 4 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Thu 8 AM–6 PM · Fri 8 AM–3 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    6400 Westown Pkwy Ste 175, West Des Moines, IA 50266
    View profile for Lighthouse Counseling (LHC)(515) 216-4311

  17. #17 Realm Therapy and Wellness

    Based in West Des Moines, 11 mi away

    51/100RP Score

    Ranked #17 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 9 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Mental health service”.

    • 5.0★ from 9 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 9 AM–4 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Address
    7755 Office Plaza Dr N Suite 160, West Des Moines, IA 50266
    View profile for Realm Therapy and Wellness(515) 216-0617

Also serving Des Moines

20 more child and teen therapists within 25 mi that we can't rank yet: too few reviews, or a specialty we couldn't confirm. Listed A to Z.

Unranked child and teen therapists serving Des Moines
BusinessGoogle ratingDistance
Affinity Therapy and Counseling Services3.8★ (10)In Des Moines
Anderson Kerry L4.7★ (6)In Des Moines
Bliss Psychiatry4.8★ (226)In Des Moines
BlueSky Telepsych5.0★ (26)In Des Moines
Children & Families of Iowa2.6★ (12)In Des Moines
Choices Therapy Services, LLC2.9★ (11)In Des Moines
Hayden Finch, PhD, Psychologist5.0★ (9)In Des Moines
Innovative Counseling2.8★ (25)In Des Moines
MercyOne House of Mercy - Des Moines3.7★ (12)In Des Moines
New View Psychiatry4.9★ (100)In Des Moines
Next Step Counseling Services3.9★ (9)In Des Moines
Orchard Place3.7★ (19)In Des Moines
Orchard Place Campus- Residential Treatment Center3.0★ (40)In Des Moines
Prairie Wellness4.5★ (15)In Des Moines
Prism Therapy Solutions4.8★ (17)In Des Moines
Psychiatry Associates - Des Moines4.8★ (95)In Des Moines
Resilient Health Services4.8★ (60)In Des Moines
Sampson Family Therapy Services, LLC3.9★ (21)In Des Moines
Synergy Clinical Services, L.L.C.3.3★ (30)In Des Moines
UnityPoint Health - Blank Children's Psychiatry3.2★ (10)In Des Moines

How we ranked Des Moines child and teen therapists

We scored 17 Des Moines child and teen therapists on eight factors, weighted as shown. A practice is ranked when its specialty is confirmed and it has 3 or more Google reviews or a claimed profile. A practice with no Google reviews scores zero on rating, review volume and recency. Other unknown factors are left out, not counted as zero. Scores last refreshed November 9, 2026.

Paid placement never changes a rank or score. Sponsored businesses are paid, labelled, limited to 3 and shown above the ranking, outside it.

Read the full method: formula, sources and exclusions

RP Score factors and weights
FactorWeightComputed fromIn Des Moines data
Reputation25%Google star rating, adjusted for how many reviews back itMeasured
Review volume5%Number of Google reviews, compared with the most-reviewed practice on the listMeasured
Recency5%Share of Google reviews from the last 12 monthsNot yet collected
Availability10%Weekly open hours, Saturday, Sunday, and round-the-clock or same-day availabilityMeasured
Specialty focus25%How clearly the practice does this specialty (its Google category and name)Measured
Proximity15%Based in the city scores highest, less the farther away it isMeasured
Claimed profile10%The practice has claimed its Ranked Psychologists profile (free or paid earn the same)Measured
Partnered5%The practice links to Ranked Psychologists from its own website with our badge, checked periodicallyMeasured

How to choose a child and teen therapist

  1. Check the license with the state or provincial board that issued it; most boards publish a free online lookup.
  2. Make sure child and adolescent therapy is a regular part of their work, and ask what approach they use and why.
  3. Ask how much of the work is with the child alone and how much includes parents or caregivers.
  4. For ADHD, learning or autism assessments, ask who does the testing and whether a written report is included.
  5. Ask about fees, insurance and the cancellation policy before the first session. In the US, if you are uninsured or paying yourself, you can ask for a good faith estimate of expected charges.
  6. Check practical fit: in-person or online sessions, evening times, and how soon they have an opening.
  7. After a few sessions, ask yourself whether you feel heard. Changing to a different provider is common and fine.

Questions to ask a child and teen therapist

  • Are you accepting new clients, and how soon could I start?
  • Which license do you hold, and in which state or province?
  • How much of your work is child and adolescent therapy?
  • How do you involve parents, and what do you keep confidential?
  • What do you charge per session, and do you take my insurance or provide a superbill?
  • Do you offer online sessions?
  • What is your cancellation policy?
  • What do you keep confidential, and when would you have to share information?

Terms explained

PhD / PsyD
Doctoral degrees in psychology. A PhD usually has a stronger research focus, a PsyD a stronger clinical focus; both can lead to a psychologist license.
Licensed psychologist
A person licensed by a state or provincial psychology board to practice psychology. The title is protected by law.
Psychological associate
In some states and provinces, a master’s-level practitioner licensed or registered by the psychology board, often with supervision requirements.
LPC / LMHC / LCPC
US licenses for professional or mental health counselors (the name differs by state). They provide counseling and therapy.
LCSW
Licensed clinical social worker: a master’s-level social worker licensed to provide therapy.
LMFT
Licensed marriage and family therapist: licensed to treat individuals, couples and families with a focus on relationships.
RP / RCC
Registered psychotherapist (Ontario) and registered clinical counsellor (British Columbia): Canadian titles for licensed therapy providers.
PSYPACT
An interstate agreement that lets psychologists licensed in a member state provide telepsychology to clients in other member states once they hold the required authorization.
Telehealth
Sessions held by secure video or phone instead of in person. The provider generally needs to be licensed where the client is located.
CBT
Cognitive behavioral therapy: a structured talk therapy that works on the links between thoughts, feelings and behavior.
DBT
Dialectical behavior therapy: a form of CBT that teaches skills for managing intense emotions and relationships.
ERP
Exposure and response prevention: a form of CBT used for OCD.

Child and teen therapists in Des Moines: frequently asked questions

Who is the best child and teen therapist in Des Moines?

By RP Score, the highest-ranked child and teen therapist in Des Moines, IA is Sagent Behavioral Health - Des Moines with an RP Score of 62/100. It has 4.3★ from 54 Google reviews. It is open Saturdays until 2 PM. Red Couch Counseling LLC- Ankeny (#2) and Stride Autism Centers - South Des Moines–Fleur Drive ABA Therapy (#3) follow. We ranked 17 child and teen therapists on eight factors, last updated November 9, 2026.

How many child and teen therapists are there in Des Moines?

RankedPsychologists ranks 17 child and teen therapists serving Des Moines, IA. 3 of them are based in Des Moines; the rest serve it from nearby towns. Another 20 within 25 mi are listed but not ranked yet. Counts are as of November 2026.

What should I do if I need help right now?

In crisis or thinking about suicide? Call or text 988 (US and Canada), any time. In an emergency, call 911. This site cannot help in an emergency.

Which child and teen therapists in Des Moines work on weekends?

4 of 17 ranked child and teen therapists post Saturday hours and 2 post Sunday hours. The highest-ranked open Saturdays are Sagent Behavioral Health - Des Moines (#1), Red Couch Counseling LLC- Ankeny (#2) and Ankeny Family Counseling (#4). Posted hours are office hours; many practices also offer evening or online sessions by appointment.

What Google rating do Des Moines child and teen therapists have?

The median Google rating among 17 rated child and teen therapists in Des Moines is 4.8★, with a median of 15 reviews. Ankeny Family Counseling has the most, 56 reviews, and ranks #4. We adjust ratings for review count, so a few five-star reviews cannot top the list.

How does RankedPsychologists rank child and teen therapists?

Each child and teen therapist gets a 0–100 RP Score from eight published factors, led by reputation (25%), specialty focus (25%), proximity (15%) and availability (10%). A practice with no Google reviews scores zero on rating, review volume and recency; other factors we cannot measure are left out. Only practices with a confirmed specialty and 3 or more reviews, or a claimed profile, are ranked.

Do child and teen therapists outside Des Moines count in this ranking?

Yes, if they are within 25 mi of the Des Moines city center, our service radius for child and teen therapists. Each listing shows where the practice is based and how far away it is. Proximity is 15% of the RP Score, so a nearby practice gets a small edge.

Can child and teen therapists pay to rank higher on RankedPsychologists?

No. The RP Score never reads payment status, and this ranking has 0 paid placements. Up to 3 Featured practices may appear above the list, labelled Sponsored and showing their honest rank.

How are child and teen therapists in Des Moines ranked?

Each practice gets an RP Score from 0 to 100 from 8 published factors, including its Google rating, how clearly it focuses on child and adolescent therapy and how close it is. Sponsored placements are shown separately and never change rank. The score does not measure treatment outcomes.

Can a teenager start therapy without a parent?

It depends on where you live. The age at which a young person can agree to outpatient mental health care on their own differs between states and provinces. Ask the practice how it handles consent and what it shares with parents.

Can I see a child and teen therapist online?

Often, yes. Licensing generally follows where you are during the session, so the provider needs to be licensed or authorized there. In the US, psychologists in PSYPACT member states can offer telepsychology to clients in other member states; counselors and social workers have their own rules. In Canada, ask whether the provider is registered in your province.

What if I need help right now?

Do not wait for a consultation. Call or text 988 (US and Canada) if you are in crisis or thinking about suicide, at any time. In an emergency, call 911.

Update log for Des Moines

  1. November 2026: RP Scores recalculated for 17 child and teen therapists serving Des Moines.
  2. November 2026: 1 duplicate listing merged.

More child and teen therapists and Des Moines pages