69/100RP Score
Ranked #1 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Social worker”, 4.9★ from 9 Google reviews.
Based on 6 of 8 factors; recency and availability not yet collected.
Best Clinical Social Workers in West Des Moines, IA (2026)
9 clinical social workers ranked by RP ScoreUpdated 0 paid placements in this rankingHow we rank →
The short answer
- 1
Best overall in West Des Moines: Benjamin T. House Jr, LISW, RP Score 69/100; 4.9★ from 9 Google reviews.
- 3
Most-reviewed: Compass Clinical Associates, PLLC, 96 Google reviews at 3.3★, the most of 9 ranked; ranked #3.
Rankings can't be bought. Psychologists can't pay to change their rank or score. How we rank
9 West Des Moines clinical social workers are ranked here by RP Score, from eight published factors. The median Google rating is 3.9★ across 9 rated practices.
Most of this list also appears on the Clinical social workers in Des Moines ranking. See Clinical social workers in Des Moines
Top 9 clinical social workers in West 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.
| Rank | Business | RP Score | Google rating | Based in | Hours | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Benjamin T. House Jr, LISW | 69 | 4.9★ (9) | Des Moines, 5 mi away | — | Overall |
| 2 | McDonald Claudette | 69 | 5.0★ (4) | Urbandale, 3 mi away | — | — |
| 3 | Compass Clinical Associates, PLLC | 54 | 3.3★ (96) | West Des Moines | — | Most reviews |
| 4 | Kavalier and Associates | 53 | 3.0★ (57) | West Des Moines | — | — |
| 5 | Thriving Families Counseling Services | 52 | 3.9★ (7) | West Des Moines | — | — |
| 6 | New Beginnings Counseling Service | 52 | 4.2★ (14) | Urbandale, 4 mi away | Evenings | — |
| 7 | Innovative Learning Professionals: Counseling & Psychological Services | 51 | 4.0★ (4) | West Des Moines | — | — |
| 8 | Synergy Clinical Services, L.L.C. | 50 | 3.3★ (30) | Des Moines, 5 mi away | — | — |
| 9 | Central Iowa Family Institute | 48 | 3.9★ (14) | Ankeny, 12 mi away | — | — |
The 9 best clinical social workers in West 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.
Based in Urbandale, 3 mi away
69/100RP ScoreRanked #2 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Social worker”, 5.0★ from 4 Google reviews.
Based on 6 of 8 factors; recency and availability not yet collected.
Based in West Des Moines
54/100RP ScoreRanked #3 because of its Google rating and proximity: 3.3★ from 96 Google reviews, based in West Des Moines.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in West Des Moines
53/100RP ScoreRanked #4 because of its Google rating and proximity: 3.0★ from 57 Google reviews, based in West Des Moines.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in West Des Moines
52/100RP ScoreRanked #5 because of its Google rating and proximity: 3.9★ from 7 Google reviews, based in West Des Moines.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in Urbandale, 4 mi away
52/100RP ScoreRanked #6 because of its Google rating and proximity: 4.2★ from 14 Google reviews, 4 mi from West Des Moines.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in West Des Moines
51/100RP ScoreRanked #7 because of its Google rating and proximity: 4.0★ from 4 Google reviews, based in West Des Moines.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in Des Moines, 5 mi away
50/100RP ScoreRanked #8 because of its Google rating and proximity: 3.3★ from 30 Google reviews, 5 mi from West Des Moines.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in Ankeny, 12 mi away
48/100RP ScoreRanked #9 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 3.9★ from 14 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Mental health clinic”.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
How we ranked West Des Moines clinical social workers
We scored 9 West Des Moines clinical social workers 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.
| Factor | Weight | Computed from | In West Des Moines data |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reputation | 25% | Google star rating, adjusted for how many reviews back it | Measured |
| Review volume | 5% | Number of Google reviews, compared with the most-reviewed practice on the list | Measured |
| Recency | 5% | Share of Google reviews from the last 12 months | Not yet collected |
| Availability | 10% | Weekly open hours, Saturday, Sunday, and round-the-clock or same-day availability | Measured |
| Specialty focus | 25% | How clearly the practice does this specialty (its Google category and name) | Measured |
| Proximity | 15% | Based in the city scores highest, less the farther away it is | Measured |
| Claimed profile | 10% | The practice has claimed its Ranked Psychologists profile (free or paid earn the same) | Measured |
| Partnered | 5% | The practice links to Ranked Psychologists from its own website with our badge, checked periodically | Measured |
How to choose a clinical social worker
- Check the license with the state or provincial board that issued it; most boards publish a free online lookup.
- Make sure clinical social work is a regular part of their work, and ask what approach they use and why.
- Check the license with the state social work board or provincial college that issued it.
- 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.
- Check practical fit: in-person or online sessions, evening times, and how soon they have an opening.
- After a few sessions, ask yourself whether you feel heard. Changing to a different provider is common and fine.
Questions to ask a clinical social worker
- 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 clinical social work?
- Which license do you hold, and in which state or province?
- 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.
Clinical social workers in West Des Moines: frequently asked questions
Who is the best clinical social worker in West Des Moines?
By RP Score, the highest-ranked clinical social worker in West Des Moines, IA is Benjamin T. House Jr, LISW with an RP Score of 69/100. It has 4.9★ from 9 Google reviews. McDonald Claudette (#2) and Compass Clinical Associates, PLLC (#3) follow. We ranked 9 clinical social workers on eight factors, last updated November 9, 2026.
How many clinical social workers are there in West Des Moines?
RankedPsychologists ranks 9 clinical social workers serving West Des Moines, IA. 4 of them are based in West Des Moines; the rest serve it from nearby towns. 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.
What Google rating do West Des Moines clinical social workers have?
The median Google rating among 9 rated clinical social workers in West Des Moines is 3.9★, with a median of 14 reviews. Compass Clinical Associates, PLLC has the most, 96 reviews, and ranks #3. We adjust ratings for review count, so a few five-star reviews cannot top the list.
How does RankedPsychologists rank clinical social workers?
Each clinical social worker 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 clinical social workers outside West Des Moines count in this ranking?
Yes, if they are within 40 mi of the West Des Moines city center, our service radius for clinical social workers. 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 clinical social workers 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 clinical social workers in West 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 clinical social work and how close it is. Sponsored placements are shown separately and never change rank. The score does not measure treatment outcomes.
Can a social worker provide therapy?
Yes, when licensed for it. In the US a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW, or LICSW in some states) holds a master’s degree in social work, has completed supervised clinical practice and passed a licensing exam. In Canada, registered social workers are regulated by provincial colleges. They provide talk therapy for many of the same concerns as counselors and psychologists.
Can I see a clinical social worker 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 West Des Moines
- November 2026: RP Scores recalculated for 9 clinical social workers serving West Des Moines.
More clinical social workers and West Des Moines pages
Clinical social workers near West Des Moines
- Clinical social workers in Clive, IA9 ranked
- Clinical social workers in Urbandale, IA9 ranked
- Clinical social workers in Des Moines, IA9 ranked
- Clinical social workers in Johnston, IA9 ranked
- Clinical social workers in Norwalk, IA9 ranked
- Clinical social workers in Grimes, IA9 ranked
- Clinical social workers in Waukee, IA9 ranked
- Clinical social workers in Ankeny, IA9 ranked
- Clinical social workers in Altoona, IA9 ranked
- Clinical social workers in Indianola, IA9 ranked
Other specialties in West Des Moines
- Psychologists in West Des Moines35 ranked
- Therapists and counselors in West Des Moines205 ranked
- Child and teen therapists in West Des Moines16 ranked
- Couples therapists in West Des Moines32 ranked
- Family therapists in West Des Moines45 ranked
- Trauma and PTSD therapists in West Des Moines13 ranked
- Psychiatrists in West Des Moines51 ranked
- Addiction counselors in West Des Moines20 ranked
- ABA therapy providers in West Des Moines20 ranked
- All psychologists in West Des Moines