New Life Counseling

New Life Counseling West Des Moines Office: 1200 Valley West Dr. Suite 700, Phone: (515) 225-4006 Ankeny: 227 NW School Locations in Ankeny and West Des Moines, Iowa.

We have 16 qualified and caring therapists ready to provide you a safe environment to heal, learn and gain hope for the future.

Rebuilding trust after conflict isn’t about finding who’s right — it’s about finding your way back to each other.It star...
11/13/2025

Rebuilding trust after conflict isn’t about finding who’s right — it’s about finding your way back to each other.

It starts when you can:
1️⃣ Articulate your partner’s perspective fairly — showing them you truly hear and understand their side.
2️⃣ Acknowledge the emotional impact — validating how the conflict made them feel.
3️⃣ Take ownership for your part — accountability creates safety and rebuilds connection.

When both people feel seen, understood, and safe again… that’s where trust begins to grow back.

We’re grateful to intern Mike Mattson for his thoughtful perspective on what it means to rebuild trust and connection. Call (515) 964-5003 or email mike.m@newlife-counseling.com to schedule an appointment with Mike today.

Your mental wellness isn’t built in one big leap — it’s the quiet things you do every day that make the difference.Here ...
11/10/2025

Your mental wellness isn’t built in one big leap — it’s the quiet things you do every day that make the difference.
Here are a few small habits that can support your mind (especially on the heavy days):

1️⃣ Start your day with intention
Before checking your phone, take a few slow breaths.
Ask yourself: “What do I need today?”
It could be rest, focus, or gentleness — naming it helps your brain prioritize peace over chaos.

2️⃣ Move your body (in any way that feels good)
Movement doesn’t have to mean the gym.
Stretch while your coffee brews, dance to one song, or take a 10-minute walk.
Even gentle movement releases endorphins that ease anxiety and sharpen focus.

3️⃣ Nourish yourself regularly
Food affects mood more than we realize.
Skipping meals can amplify irritability and fatigue — so aim for steady, balanced meals and hydrate often.
Your brain needs fuel just as much as your body.

4️⃣ Check in with your mind
Throughout the day, pause and ask: “How am I feeling right now?”
Try journaling for 5 minutes, or just name the emotion without judging it.
Noticing what’s happening inside helps you respond, not just react.

5️⃣ Connect intentionally
You don’t have to be social all the time — but you do need connection.
Text a friend, share a laugh, or check in with someone you trust.
Meaningful moments of connection help regulate your nervous system.

You don’t have to do all of these at once.
Start with one or two, and let them grow naturally.
Over time, these small actions build emotional steadiness and self-trust.

🕊️ Save this post as a gentle reminder that your peace matters — and it’s built, one small habit at a time.

Trauma doesn’t always look like panic attacks or flashbacks. Sometimes, it’s:Saying “yes” when you want to say noKeeping...
11/06/2025

Trauma doesn’t always look like panic attacks or flashbacks. Sometimes, it’s:

Saying “yes” when you want to say no
Keeping yourself busy to avoid slowing down
Feeling numb or detached when things get hard

These aren’t weaknesses — they’re survival patterns. They’re the ways your mind and body learned to protect you when things didn’t feel safe.

Thank you to our intern Brittney for helping bring this post to life. If you’re walking through trauma and ready for support, you can schedule with Brittney by calling (515) 964-5003 or email Brittney at Brittney@newlife-counseling.com

You don’t have to carry it alone.

Emotional exhaustion doesn’t always look dramatic — sometimes it’s quiet. It’s the heaviness that doesn’t go away after ...
11/03/2025

Emotional exhaustion doesn’t always look dramatic — sometimes it’s quiet. It’s the heaviness that doesn’t go away after sleep.

If this feels familiar, pause. Breathe. You’re allowed to rest.

🌿 Which of these signs do you relate to most right now?

✨ What to Expect at Your First Therapy Appointment ✨Nervous for your first session? Totally normal! Here’s what it usual...
10/30/2025

✨ What to Expect at Your First Therapy Appointment ✨

Nervous for your first session? Totally normal! Here’s what it usually looks like 👇
🛋️ A calm, welcoming space to settle in and get comfortable
📋 A quick chat about paperwork, confidentiality, and what to expect
💬 Time to share what brought you in and what’s been on your mind
🎯 Setting goals together and exploring what healing could look like
🤝 Wrapping up with next steps and space for any questions

💫 Ready to begin your journey toward healing?
Schedule a session with our wonderful intern, Brittney, and take that first step toward caring for you. 💚

Childhood trauma refers to adverse experiences that occur during a person’s early years. Trauma can manifest in many way...
10/27/2025

Childhood trauma refers to adverse experiences that occur during a person’s early years. Trauma can manifest in many ways — and each person’s experience is deeply individual.

Some common types of experiences research has identified as important to address include:

1️⃣ Physical abuse
2️⃣ Sexual abuse
3️⃣ Emotional abuse
4️⃣ Psychological abuse
5️⃣ Neglect
6️⃣ Witnessing violence firsthand
7️⃣ Loss or abandonment
8️⃣ Natural disasters or accidents

Understanding where trauma begins helps us understand how healing can happen. Thank you, Dr. Don, for sharing this insight and for helping our community better recognize and respond to the impact of early experiences.

If you or someone you love is working through the effects of childhood trauma, you don’t have to do it alone — our team is here to support you.

When you feel overwhelmed — start here.✔️ Prioritize safety and grounding.Try the 5-4-3-2-1 method:5 things you can see4...
10/23/2025

When you feel overwhelmed — start here.

✔️ Prioritize safety and grounding.

Try the 5-4-3-2-1 method:
5 things you can see
4 things you can touch
3 things you can hear
2 things you can smell
1 thing you can taste
Let your body return to the present.

✔️ Lean on one trusted person.
Connection helps regulate your nervous system — you don’t have to do this alone.

✔️ Book with a trauma-informed therapist.
Working with someone trained to hold safe space can make all the difference.

🚨 If you’re in crisis, don’t wait — call or text 988 for immediate, confidential support.

These beautiful, grounding words were written by our amazing intern, Brittany — thank you for your heart and wisdom.
Ready to take the next step in your healing? Give us a call at (515) 964-5003 to book with Brittany — she’s here to support you with care and compassion.

When someone you care about is walking through trauma, your presence matters more than your advice.Here’s how to offer r...
10/20/2025

When someone you care about is walking through trauma, your presence matters more than your advice.

Here’s how to offer real emotional support:
🧡 Listen without trying to fix it. Let them speak freely — or sit in silence if that’s what they need.
🧡 Validate their experience. Say, “That sounds really painful,” or “I’m here for you.”
🧡 Avoid clichés. Phrases like “everything happens for a reason” can feel minimizing.
🧡 Be patient. Healing doesn’t follow a straight line. Show up consistently, even on their hard days.
🧡 Respect their pace. Let them open up when they’re ready — not when you’re ready to hear it.

Sometimes, the most powerful thing you can say is: “I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere.”

After experiencing trauma, it’s completely natural to avoid anything that brings it back up. But avoidance doesn’t make ...
10/16/2025

After experiencing trauma, it’s completely natural to avoid anything that brings it back up. But avoidance doesn’t make the pain go away—it just puts healing on hold.

One of the most powerful first steps is finding a safe space and a safe person to talk to. You don’t have to go through it alone.

Thank you to our intern Lisa for sharing this important insight and reminder.
If you’re ready to take that first step, Lisa is here to support you.
📞 Call (515) 964-5003
📧 Email lisa@newlife-counseling.com to schedule an appointment at New Life Counseling.

Not all boundaries are about saying “no” — they’re about protecting what matters most: your time, energy, and peace.But ...
10/13/2025

Not all boundaries are about saying “no” — they’re about protecting what matters most: your time, energy, and peace.

But it can be hard to know what healthy boundaries actually look like, especially if you didn’t grow up seeing them modeled.

Here are a few examples:
🟢 Healthy: “I need time to process before we talk about this.”
🔴 Unhealthy: Ignoring your own emotions to keep the peace.
🟢 Healthy: “I can help, but only until 3pm.”
🔴 Unhealthy: Saying yes even when you’re already overwhelmed.
🟢 Healthy: “I turn off my phone at night and don’t always respond right away.”
🔴 Unhealthy: Feeling guilty for not replying immediately.

Boundaries aren’t walls — they’re doors. They help us invite in safe, respectful connection and protect our mental and emotional health.

💬 Which of these boundary examples do you relate to most?

📌 Save this for the next time you need a reminder that it’s okay to protect your peace.



Address

227 Northwest School Street
Ankeny, IA
50266

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 8pm
Tuesday 8am - 8pm
Wednesday 8am - 8pm
Thursday 8am - 8pm
Friday 8am - 6pm
Saturday 8am - 2pm

Telephone

+15152254006

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