Meet our Team

---

Greetings! My name is Annette, I’m a mother, therapist,

educator, artist, gardener, and nature lover.

I know what it's like to try to control your world through endless schedules and to-do lists, to

power through, to live on auto-pilot. To ignore long-held family stories that influence how you

show up in the world. To criticize yourself so harshly.

When a person looks at evolution and our society, fear has driven people to inauthentic power. It

continues to drive us today.

But it doesn't have to be that way.

We are on this earth to evolute ourselves (souls), we have lessons to learn, consciously and

unconsciously and it shows up in our lives.

If you have experienced struggles, loss, fear, trauma, experiences of love, defiance, anger,

emptiness, jealousy, sadness, hopelessness, and other hurts and habits, as your therapist I will

empower you to slow down, and guide you to reconnect with yourself in a meaningful, healing,

and creative way.

I’m not your typical therapist, I show up as a human as well! I know that if I’m not real, I can’t

expect you to be either. And when you feel safe to be real with me, we can work on how that

carries over into the rest of your life. If you’re looking for therapy that allows you to stay in your

anxiety loop and talk endlessly, I’m probably not the right therapist for you.

I'll invite you to move out of your head (where you probably spend too much time anyway) and

into your body, using mindfulness and breathing and empower you to find your authentic self to

help you slow down and reconnect with your inner world.

I work with individuals (all ages), couples and family therapy. I would be honored to be your

therapist.

Sincerely,

Annette Shipley, LMSW

I was born and raised in Iowa and currently reside in Des Moines where I raise my two children. I love everything coffee, everything football, and definitely everything plants. In my free time, I enjoy watching sports, reading, spending time with family, and traveling. I completed my Master's Degree Coursework from Capella University and I am a National Certified Counselor (NCC), Temporary Licensed Mental Health Counselor (tLMHC), and am currently in training as a Dialectical Behavioral Therapist (DBT). 

I have experience working with a diverse group of individuals and couples ranging in age on issues that include but are not limited to Anxiety, Depression, Self-Image, Relationships, Divorce, and Grief/Loss. I also have an extensive background in Adverse Childhood Experiences, Trauma, and Substance Abuse at both the individual and family levels. 

I believe that all people are powerful and resilient with the ability to move through difficult experiences, and I am passionate about walking alongside my clients to remind them that their experiences are real and that their feelings are valid and important.  I offer a client-centered and collaborative approach to therapy that is as unique and individual as you are. I am passionate about helping others to navigate challenging life circumstances in an environment that offers compassion, validation, support, and education that is free from judgement. I look forward to meeting you on your journey to wellness! 

I am a small town girl. I love the support and helpfulness that is shown in a small community. In my small town I enjoy gardening, hanging out with my children, my chickens, dog, and quilting with friends. I received my master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa. I recently completed level 1 of the Gottman relationship counseling trainings and will begin the second level this summer. I understand that relationships are difficult at times and with commitment and help they can be repaired. Along with relationships, I have experience working with anxiety, depression, substance abuse, self-esteem, trauma and more. Before joining HFC, I worked with adolescents who had suffered from various trauma, neglect, abuse, and behavioral problems. I have a client-centered approach and adapt treatment to fit the individual needs of each client. I recently began implementing art therapy into my treatment which gives clients the ability to express what they are feeling in a more creative way. I offer in-person sessions in our Marshalltown office M-F along with telehealth sessions to help clients navigate through life’s many struggles.