Vanessa Andersen, LISW
Licensed Mental Health Therapist - Grimes Location
Vanessa is the founder of Pink Couch Wellness and is focused on creating a warm and compassionate environment for patients. She wants you to know that at Pink Couch Wellness you can expect to be heard, validated, and guided toward positive change.
​
A graduate of the University of Northern Iowa, Vanessa also serves as a therapist supervisor with the Iowa Board of Social Work. She has speciality training in adult and adolescent suicidal and self-injurious behaviors from the Beck Institute and DBT and EMDR training. She is also trained to treat perinatal mood disorders from Postpartum Support International (PSI).
​
Vanessa's specialties include:
-
Managing anxiety
-
Navigating life transitions
-
Improving relationships
-
Healing from traumas
Anna Armstrong, tLMHC
Licensed Mental Health Therapist - Ankeny Location
Anna provides individual counseling for children and teens ages 5 and up, with a focus on anxiety, ADHD, trauma, social skills development, and substance use. She uses an inclusive and compassionate approach to care, incorporating a variety of evidence-based treatment modalities like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based techniques, and play therapy interventions. Her approach is always tailored to meet the unique needs of each patient.
​
Anna holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Clarke University and a Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Grand View University. She has prior experience working with children diagnosed with Autism and Down Syndrome.
​
Anna’s specialties include:
​
-
Anxiety and ADHD in children and teens
-
Trauma and emotional regulation
-
Social skill development
-
Substance use in adolescents
Kelli Bredehoeft, LMSW
Licensed Mental Health Therapist - Grimes Location
Kelli specializes in individual counseling related to grief and loss, managing anxiety and depression, and provides a judgement-free environment with a patient-centered approach. She provides mental health and play therapy for patients age 5 and older, and wants you to know that her goal is always for you to feel heard, be validated, and experience growth and healing.
Kelli holds a Bachelors degree in psychology from Buena Vista University and a Masters in Social Work from the University of Northern Iowa.
​
Kelli's specialties include:
-
Grief and loss
-
Coping with chronic and terminal illness
-
Navigating life transitions
-
Caregiver stress/burnout
-
Navigating family challenges
Jen Derby
Office Manager - Grimes Location
Jen is the Office Manager at Pink Couch Wellness and helps us keep everything organized. She’s the friendly face you’ll see when you come for a visit or when you see Pink Couch Wellness out in the community. One of Jen’s roles is to make sure our patients feel welcomed and comfortable – something we want for everyone!
​
In addition to her jobs in the office, Jen is our community outreach coordinator. She organizes our participation in community events, sponsorships, volunteerism, and giving back.
​
When you interact with Pink Couch Wellness, Jen can help you with:
-
Checking in
-
Scheduling appointments
-
Billing or insurance questions
-
Feeling welcome in a new place​​
Sarah Dowd, PA-C, CAQ-Psych
Mental Health Medication Provider - Grimes Location
Sarah is available at Pink Couch Wellness to support medication management for a wide range of disorders for patients ages 16+. She is passionate about providing comprehensive and holistic care for patients.
Sarah holds a Physician Assistant degree from Des Moines University, a Psychiatry Fellowship from Broadlawns Medical Center (Des Moines), and additional Psychiatry and Perinatal Mental Health certifications.
​
Sarah specializes in medication management for:
-
Depression and Anxiety
-
ADHD
-
Postpartum
-
Bipolar Disorder
-
OCD
Abigail Dykstra, BSW
Mental Health Therapy Intern - Ankeny Location
Bio coming soon!
Katherine Garrett, LISW
Licensed Mental Health Therapist - Grimes & Ankeny Locations
Bio coming soon!
Erin Honke, PSY-D
Clinical Neuropsychologist - Ankeny Location
Bio coming soon!
Lindsey Hoodjer, LISW
Licensed Mental Health Therapist - Grimes Location
Lindsey provides mental health therapy for patients ages 15 and older. She wants patients to feel heard, validated, and supported as they navigate their journey. Lindsey uses a strengths based and client centered approach to support her patients.
Lindsey holds a Bachelors degree in social work from Luther College, a Masters in Social Work from the University of Northern Iowa, and a Masters in Public Health from Creighton University.
​
Lindsey's specialties include:
-
Anxiety
-
Depression
-
Grief & Loss
-
Life Transitions
-
Caregiver stress/burnout
-
Blended family transitions
-
Parenting children with disabilities
Nermina Kekic, IADC
Mental Health Therapy Intern - Grimes & Ankeny Locations
Bio coming soon!
Elizabeth Miller, LISW
Licensed Mental Health Therapist - Grimes Location
Elizabeth specializes in providing couples and family counseling and focuses on creating a relaxed and non-judgement environment. She wants you to know that she uses a patient-centered approach and evidence-based treatment modalities like CBT and Solution-Focused therapies, to provide clear and actionable insights for resolution.
A graduate of the University of Iowa, Elizabeth also has experience with sex and sexuality concerns, and working with LGBTQ+ needs as well.
​
Elizabeth's specialties include:
-
Relationship issues
-
Navigating family challenges
-
LGBTQ+ needs
-
Substance abuse
Danielle Penton, PMHNP
Mental Health Medication Provider - Grimes Location
Danielle is available at Pink Couch Wellness to support medication management and mental health lifestyle modifications for patients ages 12+. She wants you to know that she provides inclusive services with the goal of improving mental health for all in our community.
Danielle received her RN degree from Des Moines Area Community College, BSN from Baker College, and MSN from Allen College. She has experience working in outpatient and inpatient mental health facilities, with LGBTQ+ care and providing medication assisted treatment for substance abuse.
​
Danielle specializes in medication management for:
-
Depression and Anxiety
-
Substance Abuse
-
Postpartum
-
Bipolar Disorder
-
ADHD, OCD and PTSD
Lauren Reimer, BS
Mental Health Therapy Intern - Grimes Location
Lauren is passionate about creating a supportive, judgment-free space where patients feel empowered to express themselves fully. With a background in social work, she brings experience working with a diverse range of individuals, both adolescents and adults. Lauren’s therapeutic approach is rooted in person-centered and existential therapy, while also drawing from evidence-based practices like CBT and DBT. She focuses on meeting each client where they are and helping them identify meaningful, manageable steps toward healing.
​
Lauren holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Arizona State University and is currently pursuing her Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Grand View University.
​
Lauren’s specialties include:
-
LGBTQ+
-
Depression
-
Anxiety
-
ADHD
-
Autism
-
Borderline Personality Disorder
-
Identity exploration
-
Life transitions
Jessica Smith, LISW
Licensed Mental Health Therapist - Grimes & Ankeny Locations
Bio coming soon!
Tiffany Sumrall, LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Therapist - Grimes Location
Tiffany specializes in providing couples and family counseling and focuses on creating a judgment-free environment where all can share and work together toward healing and growth. She wants you to know that she uses a patient-centered approach and evidence-based treatment modalities like EMDR, CBT, and Solution-Focused therapies, to provide clear and actionable insights for resolution.
​
A graduate of Walden University, Tiffany also has speciality training in Narcissistic/Antagonistic Relationship Abuse.
Tiffany's specialties include:
-
Women's issues
-
Relationship concerns
-
Navigating family challenges
.jpg)
Sarah Traeger, MS
Mental Health Therapy Intern - Grimes Location
Sarah welcomes patients ages 6+ to Pink Couch Wellness for treatment of
mental health conditions using solution-focused, CBT, strengths-based, and DBT
therapies. Sarah utilizes a patient-centric approach to help patients build confidence while feeling validated, safe, seen, and heard in a judgment-free environment.
Sarah has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Human Services from Buena Vista University and a Masters in Psychology specializing in Addictions from Kaplan University. She is currently in process of completing a Masters in Social Work from Capella University.
​
Sarah's specialities include:
​
-
Blended family transitions
-
Substance abuse
-
Depression
-
Anxiety
-
Veterans issues