Welcome to Better Days Mental Health

Dr. Bryan Hall, has been counseling children and adults since 2006, working in both private practice and psychiatric hospital settings. Bryan views therapy as a process of personal growth and empowerment, requiring individuals to make meaningful and sometimes difficult changes in their behavior and ways of thinking and relating with themselves and others. Bryan’s goal as a therapist is to ensure that clients feel heard, comfortable being honest, and have a sense renewed hope by the time each session is over. Outside of the office, Bryan is married and a father to three sons. He enjoys hiking, bike rides, and is an avid rock ‘n’ roll fan.

Shana Plambeck, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC, is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner providing compassionate, holistic mental health care for patients ages 6 and older. She specializes in the evaluation and treatment of anxiety, depression, ADHD, mood disorders, and other mental health concerns, with a focus on individualized, patient-centered care.

Shana earned her RN from Des Moines Area Community College and both her BSN and MSN from Chamberlain University. She brings nursing experience from both long-term care and emergency room settings, providing a well-rounded perspective in caring for patients across the lifespan.

Emilie is a licensed mental health therapist with a Master’s degree from Capella University in Mental Health Counseling. Her previous studies include psychology with focus analyzing behaviors. She has experience working with children as young as age 3, teens and adolescents, having worked in middle school and high school settings, and most recently in the clinical setting with teens and adults.

Emilie’s approach to therapy includes using techniques involving Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, and a Person-Centered Approach. Emilie likes to focus on helping her clients learn to identify and change their thoughts to feel better emotionally and address the behaviors affecting moods. She challenges her clients to identify and work towards goals and consistently encourages small steps and continued growth. Emilie feels the relationship between a client and their therapist is one of the most important aspects of successful therapy and focuses on building a strong and supportive relationship with her clients.

Emilie is an upbeat, positive, and encouraging therapist with a great sense of humor that likes to incorporate her personality into her therapy to help make her clients feel comfortable and confident.

Emilie specializes in the treatment of issues with anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, parenting/child development, ADHD, and is a Certified Veteran and Military Mental Health Professional.”

Timmicia is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a Master’s Degree from Capella University. Timmicia is dedicated to helping individuals, couples, and families navigate through life’s challenges. She is a firm believer in the power of a therapeutic relationship and not having to “go it alone”, but that creating lasting change takes work-in and outside of the therapy room.

Her experience includes working with a wide range of mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, trauma, intimacy and infidelity trauma, attachment injuries, foster care and adoption transitions, neurodivergence, complex family system, coparenting, grief, self-identity, and life transitions. Her special interest is working with couples and families who are motivated to create more fulfilling lives.

Timmicia’s approach to therapy is collaborative, non-judgmental, and person-centered. She places a high value in empowerment and empathy, while at times also challenging your inner dialogue. Her modalities are tailored to each individual need with influences from Narrative therapy, Gottman, SFT, CBT, TF-CBT, and Structural family. She is passionate about helping clients develop skills and tools to improve their relationship with themselves and others. Together, you can work towards creating lasting and positive change and achieving your personal goals.

Dar is a Licensed Independent Social Worker (MSW, LISW) who graduated from the University of North Dakota. Dar has over 30 years experience working in social services, with 10+ years providing psychotherapy. They have experience working with adolescents, and adults struggling with serious mental illness, depression, anxiety, ADHD, and trauma. They are experienced in treating mood disorders, complex relational issues, coping with chronic medical diagnosis’ such as HIV, and concerns specific to the LGBTQ+ community. They pull from a variety of treatment modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Behavior Change Theory, Psychoanalytic Therapy, and Family Systems Theory (“parts work”). Dar is very excited about working with client strengths and walking along side them on their journey to wellness.

Outside of work Dar enjoys time with family (human and fur babies) & friends, watching spectator sports, bird watching, and adult coloring.

Ben is a Licensed Mental Health Therapist. He received his Master’s Degree in Professional Counseling from Liberty University and has been a certified alcohol/drug counselor for the past 12 years.

Ben likes to use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people accurately perceive life situations and improve their self-perception. These are the building blocks that lead to quality relational fulfillment, emotional health and stability. Improved perceptions can lead to transformed individuals. Ben loves to work closely with clients to help them cast a vision for a purposed, fulfilled and contented self. Depression, Anxiety, Shame, Substance Usage, Couples/Marriage and lack of purpose are areas of experience.

Ben was able to purchase his old elementary school where he and his wife Christina live, pastor Alive Church, house the town food pantry and where she is busy at her salon/spa. They both believe that life can be an exciting adventure with enriched relationships. While not in their offices they can be found reading, working on home projects, traveling and hiking to water falls.

Dijana (Deanna) is a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) who earned her Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Iowa. She has worked in the field of social work since 2005 and has been providing psychotherapy since 2014. Dijana works with adolescents (ages 12 and older) and adults, providing compassionate, evidence-based care tailored to each client’s unique needs and goals.

Dijana believes that therapy works best when clients feel safe, heard, and accepted. She takes a collaborative approach,  meeting clients where they are while helping them build on their strengths, develop effective coping skills, and work toward meaningful change. She strives to create a supportive, nonjudgmental environment where clients feel empowered throughout their healing journey.

Her therapeutic approaches include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Narrative Therapy, Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), and Person-Centered Therapy, tailoring treatment to each individual’s needs.

Dijana specializes in the treatment of trauma and has experience working with anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), mood disorders, psychosis, self-harm, neurodivergence and eating disorders. She is passionate about helping clients build resilience, find hope, and create lives that align with their values.

With more than 24 years of clinical experience, I’m a licensed marriage and family therapist serving clients in both Iowa and California. I was raised in the Midwest and educated in the west, and I bring a balanced perspective that combines practical, down-to-earth values and evidence-based therapeutic approaches. My professional career began in California, where I worked with the Department of Consumer Affairs, Diversion Program, facilitating treatment groups for physicians struggling with substances disorders. This experience gave me a deep understanding of addiction, recovery, professional stress, and the courage it takes to make meaningful life changes.

In my private practice. I specialized in working with adolescents experiencing behavioral challenges learning disabilities, and family related concerns since relocating to Iowa my practice has expanded to include children, adolescence adults, and couples facing a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, trauma, PTSD substance use disorders, attention, deficit disorders, ADHD, relationship difficulties, anger, management, and life transitions. I believe that meaningful therapy begins by meeting people exactly where they are. Every person’s story is unique, and healing doesn’t come from judgment; it comes from understanding, acceptance, and a willingness to grow.

My role is to help clients navigate life challenges find peace with change, heal from past wounds and build lives, rooted in confidence, integrity, and purpose.I believe clients deserve honest feedback, practical tools, and strategies they can apply outside of the therapy office. Together we work to create lasting behavioral change while strengthening self-esteem, improving communication, managing anger, developing healthy coping skills, increasing self-awareness and building healthier relationships whether you are working through anxiety, depression, trauma, addiction, relationship concerns or simply searching for greater meaning in your life. My goal is to help you discover your strengths, embrace change, and become the healthiest and most authentic version of yourself. Healing is a journey, not about becoming someone different but about reconnecting with who you are and creating a life that reflects your values, purpose and help for the future.

I am a therapist who strives to create a supportive, down-to-earth space where clients feel comfortable being themselves. My approach is primarily grounded in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Solution-Focused Therapy, while also incorporating elements of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Person-Centered Therapy based on each client’s needs.

I believe therapy works best when it feels collaborative, genuine, and approachable. My sessions tend to have a casual, relaxed energy while still remaining purposeful and goal-oriented. I focus on building real connections with clients and helping them develop practical tools, insight, and confidence to navigate life’s challenges.

Above all, my goal is to provide a safe, respectful, and empowering environment where clients feel heard, supported, and capable of meaningful growth.

 I know finding the courage to talk with someone about personal worries and mental health concerns can feel daunting.  Many of my clients feel overwhelmed, stuck in patterns that no longer serve them, and may feel disconnected from who they want to be.

We value being heard and understood, then guided in exploring healthier, sustainable ways to live more fully.  Clients I work with are seeking to build insight, practice new skills, and challenge patterns that no longer serve their purpose. My goal in creating our therapy journey is to help you navigate these changes.  

I work collaboratively with clients and integrate evidence-based therapies including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), Schema Therapy, mindfulness and somatic therapy techniques to support clients in achieving better mental health. Treatment sessions focus on emotional regulation, nervous system regulation, attachment patterns, communication skills, and improving self-esteem and relationship functioning.

I am married with 4 adult boys. My wife and I now enjoy our time traveling and vacationing along the northeastern seaboard and hope to visit Ireland some time soon.

Eli is a t-licensed mental health therapist with a Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. They spent their internship days working in both a residential treatment center and private practice.

Eli has experience working with a variety of age groups and clients from multiple different backgrounds. They have a particular affinity for working with adolescents and enjoy helping teens and adults working through transitional periods in their life. Eli specializes in working with those who are part of the LGBTQ+ community, and as a neurodivergent person themself has an interest in working with neurodivergent folks. Eli utilizes a variety of techniques in order to help their clients reach their goals, including DBT Skills, Person-Centered Approaches, Expressive Therapies, and Trauma-Informed Approaches such as EMDR. Eli believes that ultimately the therapeutic relationship is similar to putting a puzzle together—they may point out particularly interesting pieces, but the client is ultimately the one who will create the finished picture.

In their free time, Eli can often be found either spending quality time with their friends, gaming with their brothers, playing dungeons and dragons, or writing. 

I’m a therapist who believes that real change happens when insight and action come together. I work with people who feel stuck—often aware of what’s going on internally, but unsure how to move forward in their daily lives.

My approach is collaborative, practical, and grounded in eclectic evidence-based practices, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Motivational Interviewing (MI). I also incorporate existential and narrative perspectives, helping clients explore meaning, identity, and the stories they carry about themselves.

I view people within the context of their environments and relationships, and I tailor therapy to each individual. My background in crisis work, assertive community treatment, and behavioral health case management allows me to work comfortably with complexity while staying focused on realistic, meaningful change.

I aim to create a space where you feel understood and supported, while also being gently challenged to grow.

Charles is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) with many years of experience

supporting children, teens, and adults. His background includes work in juvenile justice,

non-profit organizations, school systems, and with under-served and often unseen

populations. Charles takes a realistic, practical approach to mental health, drawing from

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, and strong rapport-building.

He works with individuals, families, and couples, emphasizing self-reflection, personal

responsibility, and accountability as part of meaningful change. Outside of work, Charles

enjoys watching his children participate in their many activities and coaching whenever he

is afforded the opportunity.

Eli Maris, LISW, LCSW has been working with individuals, couples, and families since 2009. Eli’s approach is to trust that people come to therapy as experts in their own lives; the therapist’s role is to provide validation and tools for the work they are already doing. Eli enjoys working collaboratively with clients to figure out where their pain started, what is sustaining it, and how to heal from it. Eli uses a relational and collaborative therapeutic approach with a client-centered trauma informed framework. Eli specializes in working with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, grief and loss, PTSD, chronic illness, and relationship difficulties with has a special interest in providing support for members of the LGBTQIA community. In free time, Eli reads, watches sci-fi and comic shows/movies, and goes for walks…specifically if those walks are through a farmer’s market or by a lake.

My name is Jeannie Hamilton. I am a licensed independent social worker. I approach therapy knowing that we all possess amazing abilities and with some guidance we can achieve personal growth that allows increased joy and ease in living. I have a person-centered focus starting where you are on your journey of healing and growth. My focus areas are anxiety, depression, ADHD, life transitions, relationship issues, and trauma. My approaches include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, DBT informed therapy, solution-focused therapy, and person-centered therapy. In my free time, I enjoy being outdoors, being with family, and working on DIY projects.

Gryphan is a Licensed Independent Social Worker who received his Master’s Degree from the University of Iowa and is a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP). He uses a strengths-based approach with his clients, and has previously worked in community mental health. Gryphan specializes in treating trauma and PTSD, which includes childhood trauma, domestic violence and other types of abuse, first responders, veterans, and many other areas. He is also experienced in treating mood disorders, anxiety, depression, and has significant experience with the foster care and adoption systems. Gryphan works with individuals, couples, families, and groups. He uses a variety of treatment modalities, including EMDR, Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD, TF-CBT (Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), Prolonged Exposure Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, CBT, and is always training to broaden his clinical knowledge and scope of practice. Gryphan is also an accomplished artist, having participated in a variety of art shows and festivals, and has a service dog named Sebastian, a purebred yellow Labrador Retriever.

Samantha is a Licensed Master Social Worker who specializes in trauma informed care. She loves to work with young adults and is passionate about helping people heal from trauma. As a client, you can expect Samantha to encourage you to be authentically yourself. She will guide you to fully embrace your emotions as she helps you build a strong mind-body connection using body based approaches. Samantha is LGBTQIA+ friendly. When she is not at work, Samantha enjoys spending time with her family and her cat, going to renaissance faires, doing yoga, and reading fanfictions.

Melissa obtained her Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with specializations in both Couples, Marriage, and Family Counseling, as well as Addictions Counseling from Walden University.  She has worked in both non-profit mental health centers and private practice.

As a therapist, Melissa values creating a non-judgmental space for her clients to improve their thoughts and behaviors to cultivate a better understanding of their needs, their feelings, and overall goals for the life they want to live. Melissa enjoys working with individual adults and couples, utilizing a variety of therapy modalities and approaches. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Narrative Therapy, and Gestalt Therapy are a few of the theoretical approaches she likes, however the foundation of her practice is in honoring the inherent knowledge and experiences of her clients to help them find answers they are seeking within themselves. Melissa’s area of focus includes anxiety, stress, marriage counseling, depression, PTSD, OCD, bipolar disorder, grief and divorce.

Outside of the office, Melissa enjoys reading, going on walks, and playing cribbage.

Amanda is a Licensed Master Social Worker. Although she works with individuals of all ages, her passion is working with youth that struggle with their mental health as well as with the caretakers of youth with mental health challenges. Amanda utilizes person-centered and evidenced-based techniques to support her clients toward growth and change. She honors an individual’s unique lived experience and meets clients where they are at. Amanda maintains a mentality free of judgement and works with her clients to join them on their journey of improving their mental health. In her free time, Amanda enjoys spending time with her family and friends, dancing, and engaging in community activities.

My name is Cody Soulinthavong. For the past 14 years I have spent my
professional career working as an after school teacher and certified
personal trainer. I have worked as an after school teacher for a local
non profit organization and for Iowa State Extension and Outreach. I
have taught at every grade level in schools in the Des Moines Area.

As a Personal Trainer I specialize as a nutrition coach, life coach,
and certified boxing instructor. In my eight years in personal
training I have helped many clients gain muscle, lose fat, and
maintain a healthy balance in life.

As a Mental Health Therapist I specialize in anxiety, depression,
trauma, somatic therapy, relationship issues, and men’s issues. I am a
strong believer in self actualization and positive psychology. I
strive to help clients live their lives optimally and support them
wherever they are in their journey.

I am strong believer in the mind and body connection. I look to help
clients holistically combining my background with physical and mental
health.

In my practice I utilize mindfulness, acceptance commitment therapy,
cognitive behavior therapy, attachment based therapy and
psychoanalytic therapy.

In the future I hope to become a certified Yoga instructor, EMDR
certified, and work expertise with eating disorders.

Hi, I’m Saysha Schoulte, LMSW. I am a licensed social worker and mental health therapist who works with individuals thirteen and up, those who identify in the LGBTQ+ community, and anyone who is looking for a safe space. I work from a person-centered and humanistic approach, encouraging my clients to show up authentically as themselves. 

Prior to working at Better Days, I gained a variety of experience working with people who use substances, people who have experienced domestic violence and human trafficking, and within the field of HIV/STI education. In sessions, I utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), person-centered therapy, and somatic processing skills. I also operate from a trauma-informed lens, fostering a sense of safety and community. 

My first goal with all my clients is to meet you where you’re at and to create a healthy therapeutic relationship. I believe you know yourself best, and together we can work to understand where you are on your journey. I strive to make a safe, non-judgmental space for you to navigate your emotions, lived experiences, and goals in life.

When I’m not in the office you’ll find me drinking matcha, crocheting a new blanket, or hanging out with my cat Skips.  

Hi, I’m Bella! If you’ve been carrying the weight of old experiences, I provide a safe space to understand and move through them. I work with clients who feel the impact of past experiences in their daily life and want support making sense of it. They may notice patterns in relationships, heightened anxiety, or emotional reactions that feel bigger than the situation warrants. I provide a safe, steady, and nonjudgmental space to explore these experiences, build emotional regulation skills, and reconnect with themselves. Together, we work toward feeling more grounded, confident, and capable of moving forward.

I help clients untangle the patterns that keep them stuck. Whether it’s anxiety, trauma, relationship challenges, or feeling disconnected from yourself. My warm, client-centered, trauma-informed approach creates a safe space to gain clarity, build regulation skills, and explore what you truly need 

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, unsure where to start, or just tired of carrying everything on your own, you’re not alone. Therapy can feel vulnerable, but you deserve a space where you’re met with warmth and understanding. If something in you is wanting support, I’d be honored to connect and walk with you at your own pace.

Outside of work, I love reading, hanging out with friends, and spending time in nature.