Vanessa West, PhD., LMHC

Do you feel like you need to be more connected not only to others; but yourself? As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the state of Iowa, I can help you work through life’s struggles past or present. I provide mental health therapy services to individuals and families beginning as early as 4 years old. I have specialized training to provide therapy to first responders and their families. I specialize in working with both juvenile and adult offenders through the use of correctional counseling. I have extensive training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). I also provide strength based therapy to children, adolescents, and adults.

Little bit more about me:

Since 2006, I have experience working in a women’s domestic abuse shelter, residential treatment, and providing behavioral health and mental health therapy services. I love providing therapy to individuals but also enjoy conducting groups to allow clients to avoid feeling alone with their struggles. Additionally, I provide supervision for temporarily licensed mental health clinicians, social workers, and temporarily licensed marriage and family therapists in the state of Iowa.

 

I created my practice, Therapeutic Innovations, PLLC in 2017 as I felt the need to provide more services to our rural communities. I provide school-based therapy to youth at Vinton-Shellsburg Schools as well as offering in person and telehealth therapy to individuals and families both locally and within the state of Iowa.

 

Education: 

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• Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Criminology from Iowa State University

• Master of Science in Criminal Justice from University of Central Missouri

• Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling from Walden University with an emphasis in Correctional Counseling

• Doctor of Philosophy in Forensic Psychology from Walden University

 

Favorite Quotes:

• “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” -Gandhi

• “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” -The Lorax (Dr. Seuss)

• “We are all a little broken. But last time I checked broken crayons still color the same.” -Trent Shelton