Ranked #1 in West Des Moines
Based in West Des Moines
74/100RP Score
Ranked #1 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Counselor”, 3.7★ from 15 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Best Therapists And Counselors in West Des Moines, IA (2026)
205 therapists and counselors ranked by RP ScoreUpdated 0 paid placements in this rankingHow we rank →
The short answer
- 1
Best overall in West Des Moines: Thriveworks Counseling & Therapy West Des Moines, RP Score 74/100; 3.7★ from 15 Google reviews; open 7 days a week.
- 29
Most-reviewed: Clive Behavioral Health, 325 Google reviews at 2.9★, the most of 205 ranked; ranked #29.
Rankings can't be bought. Psychologists can't pay to change their rank or score. How we rank
205 West Des Moines therapists and counselors are ranked here by RP Score, from eight published factors. 33 open Saturdays and 11 open Sundays, based on posted hours. The median Google rating is 4.5★ across 205 rated practices.
Top 10 therapists and counselors 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 | Thriveworks Counseling & Therapy West Des Moines | 74 | 3.7★ (15) | West Des Moines | Sat · Sun · Evenings | Overall |
| 2 | BlueSky Telepsych | 74 | 5.0★ (26) | Des Moines, 5 mi away | Sat · Sun · Evenings | — |
| 3 | J4BG Family LLC (Larry Jackson Jr., MSEd, LMHC, LPC) | 74 | 5.0★ (5) | West Des Moines | Sat · Sun | — |
| 4 | Integrative Counseling Solutions | 74 | 5.0★ (4) | West Des Moines | — | — |
| 5 | Healing Ways Counseling | 73 | 3.7★ (3) | West Des Moines | — | — |
| 6 | Child Psychiatry Associates | 73 | 3.1★ (21) | West Des Moines | — | — |
| 7 | Relationship & Intimacy Center | 73 | 4.4★ (36) | West Des Moines | Sat · Evenings | — |
| 8 | Counseling for Growth and Change, LC | 72 | 2.1★ (8) | West Des Moines | — | — |
| 9 | Art of Healing Counseling and Consultation, LLC | 72 | 5.0★ (5) | Des Moines, 2 mi away | — | — |
| 10 | Kristin D Hocker | 72 | 4.2★ (10) | Clive, 2 mi away | — | — |
The 205 best therapists and counselors 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 Des Moines, 5 mi away
74/100RP ScoreRanked #2 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Mental health service”, 5.0★ from 26 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in West Des Moines
74/100RP ScoreRanked #3 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Counselor”, 5.0★ from 5 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in West Des Moines
74/100RP ScoreRanked #4 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Mental health service”, 5.0★ from 4 Google reviews.
Based on 6 of 8 factors; recency and availability not yet collected.
Based in West Des Moines
73/100RP ScoreRanked #5 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Counselor”, 3.7★ from 3 Google reviews.
Based on 6 of 8 factors; recency and availability not yet collected.
Based in West Des Moines
73/100RP ScoreRanked #6 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Mental health clinic”, 3.1★ from 21 Google reviews.
Based on 6 of 8 factors; recency and availability not yet collected.
Based in West Des Moines
73/100RP ScoreRanked #7 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Mental health clinic”, 4.4★ from 36 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in West Des Moines
72/100RP ScoreRanked #8 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Counselor”, 2.1★ from 8 Google reviews.
Based on 6 of 8 factors; recency and availability not yet collected.
Based in Des Moines, 2 mi away
72/100RP ScoreRanked #9 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Counselor”, 5.0★ from 5 Google reviews.
Based on 6 of 8 factors; recency and availability not yet collected.
#10 Kristin D Hocker
Based in Clive, 2 mi away
72/100RP ScoreRanked #10 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Marriage or relationship counselor”, 4.2★ from 10 Google reviews.
Based on 6 of 8 factors; recency and availability not yet collected.
Based in West Des Moines
72/100RP ScoreRanked #11 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Mental health clinic”, 4.8★ from 158 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in West Des Moines
72/100RP ScoreRanked #12 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Mental health clinic”, 4.8★ from 8 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in Des Moines, 2 mi away
72/100RP ScoreRanked #13 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Family counselor”, 3.9★ from 9 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in West Des Moines
72/100RP ScoreRanked #14 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Mental health clinic”, 4.9★ from 53 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in Des Moines, 2 mi away
71/100RP ScoreRanked #15 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Mental health clinic”, 4.3★ from 54 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in West Des Moines
71/100RP ScoreRanked #16 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Mental health service”, 5.0★ from 38 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in West Des Moines
71/100RP ScoreRanked #17 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Mental health clinic”, 4.9★ from 42 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in West Des Moines
71/100RP ScoreRanked #18 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Mental health clinic”, 5.0★ from 41 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
#19 Sacred Health
Based in Des Moines, 3 mi away
71/100RP ScoreRanked #19 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Mental health clinic”, 5.0★ from 9 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
#20 UCS Healthcare
Based in West Des Moines
71/100RP ScoreRanked #20 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Mental health clinic”, 3.4★ from 71 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in West Des Moines
71/100RP ScoreRanked #21 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Mental health clinic”, 4.9★ from 33 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in West Des Moines
71/100RP ScoreRanked #22 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Mental health clinic”, 4.7★ from 49 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in Des Moines, 2 mi away
71/100RP ScoreRanked #23 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychotherapist”, 5.0★ from 4 Google reviews.
Based on 6 of 8 factors; recency and availability not yet collected.
Based in Urbandale, 4 mi away
71/100RP ScoreRanked #24 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Mental health service”, 4.7★ from 15 Google reviews.
Based on 6 of 8 factors; recency and availability not yet collected.
Based in West Des Moines
71/100RP ScoreRanked #25 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Mental health clinic”, 4.4★ from 39 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Therapists and counselors ranked #26 to #50
#1 to #25 are shown in full above. Here are #26 to #50, in RP Score order; each links to its profile. We publish the top 50 of 205 ranked therapists and counselors here; the rest are on their profiles.
Also serving West Des Moines
20 more therapists and counselors within 15 mi that we can't rank yet: too few reviews, or a specialty we couldn't confirm. Listed A to Z.
| Business | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Andria K. Klinefeldt, LMHC, LLC | 5.0★ (2) | In West Des Moines |
| Anxiety & OCD Treatment Services | 5.0★ (2) | In West Des Moines |
| Assessment Services Inc. | 4.7★ (39) | In West Des Moines |
| Bridgette Hagarty | 5.0★ (1) | In West Des Moines |
| Carrie Leaf Therapy inside The Self-Care Center | 5.0★ (1) | In West Des Moines |
| Dr. Darlene Turner | 5.0★ (2) | In West Des Moines |
| Employee & Family Resources | 5.0★ (1) | In West Des Moines |
| Genesis Counseling Inc | 2.5★ (2) | In West Des Moines |
| Grounded Therapy Practice, PLLC | 5.0★ (2) | In West Des Moines |
| Hearthstone Counseling Associates, PLC | 3.0★ (2) | In West Des Moines |
| Illuminate Counseling LLC | 5.0★ (2) | In West Des Moines |
| Joel Greenberg, PsyD | 5.0★ (3) | In West Des Moines |
| Kathleen Alexander, LMFT, CMPE | 5.0★ (2) | In West Des Moines |
| Linda Miller, LMFT at L. Miller Counseling, LLC | 3.0★ (2) | In West Des Moines |
| MH Therapy | 4.5★ (2) | In West Des Moines |
| Moore Life Counseling | 5.0★ (2) | In West Des Moines |
| Open Hearts Therapy, PLLC | 5.0★ (2) | In West Des Moines |
| PsychPlus Des Moines Clinic - Psychiatrist and Therapist | 4.8★ (6) | In West Des Moines |
| Soundcheck Wellness Collective | 5.0★ (2) | In West Des Moines |
| True North Therapy & Wellness | 3.0★ (2) | In West Des Moines |
How we ranked West Des Moines therapists and counselors
We scored 205 West Des Moines therapists and counselors 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 therapist
- Check the license with the state or provincial board that issued it; most boards publish a free online lookup.
- Make sure they regularly work with clients who have your concern, and ask what approach they use and why.
- Check which license they hold (for example LPC, LCSW, LMFT or RP) and look it up with the board or 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 therapist
- Are you accepting new clients, and how soon could I start?
- Which license do you hold, and in which state or province?
- How often do you work with concerns like mine?
- 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.
Therapists and counselors in West Des Moines: frequently asked questions
Who is the best therapist in West Des Moines?
By RP Score, the highest-ranked therapist in West Des Moines, IA is Thriveworks Counseling & Therapy West Des Moines with an RP Score of 74/100. It has 3.7★ from 15 Google reviews. It is open 7 days a week. BlueSky Telepsych (#2) and J4BG Family LLC (Larry Jackson Jr., MSEd, LMHC, LPC) (#3) follow. We ranked 205 therapists and counselors on eight factors, last updated November 9, 2026.
How many therapists and counselors are there in West Des Moines?
RankedPsychologists ranks 205 therapists and counselors serving West Des Moines, IA. 32 of them are based in West Des Moines; the rest serve it from nearby towns. Another 20 within 15 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 therapists and counselors in West Des Moines work on weekends?
33 of 205 ranked therapists and counselors post Saturday hours and 11 post Sunday hours. The highest-ranked open Saturdays are Thriveworks Counseling & Therapy West Des Moines (#1), BlueSky Telepsych (#2) and J4BG Family LLC (Larry Jackson Jr., MSEd, LMHC, LPC) (#3). Posted hours are office hours; many practices also offer evening or online sessions by appointment.
What Google rating do West Des Moines therapists and counselors have?
The median Google rating among 205 rated therapists and counselors in West Des Moines is 4.5★, with a median of 10 reviews. Clive Behavioral Health has the most, 325 reviews, and ranks #29. We adjust ratings for review count, so a few five-star reviews cannot top the list.
How does RankedPsychologists rank therapists and counselors?
Each 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 therapists and counselors outside West Des Moines count in this ranking?
Yes, if they are within 15 mi of the West Des Moines city center, our service radius for therapists and counselors. 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 therapists and counselors 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 therapists and counselors 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 therapy and counseling and how close it is. Sponsored placements are shown separately and never change rank. The score does not measure treatment outcomes.
Is a licensed counselor the same as a psychologist?
No. Licensed professional counselors, clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists and, in Ontario, registered psychotherapists hold their own licenses and answer to their own boards or colleges. They provide talk therapy for many of the same concerns; formal psychological testing is usually done by a psychologist.
Can I see a 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 West Des Moines
- November 2026: RP Scores recalculated for 205 therapists and counselors serving West Des Moines.
- November 2026: 1 duplicate listing merged.
More therapists and counselors and West Des Moines pages
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Other specialties in West Des Moines
- Psychologists in West Des Moines35 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
- Clinical social workers in West Des Moines9 ranked
- Addiction counselors in West Des Moines20 ranked
- ABA therapy providers in West Des Moines20 ranked
- All psychologists in West Des Moines