Hi, I’m Kristen Pinegar, LMSW

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Mental Health Therapist

NOW ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS AGES 8+

About Me

Hi there! I am Kristen Pinegar (she/her), LMSW. 

I believe the process of healing is different for everyone. Healing often involves recognizing the patterns we created for safety and gently shifting them to allow for growth and self compassion. My role in your healing journey is providing a safe environment and a guiding hand to support your growth. 

I am drawn to the field of therapy through a passion of understanding how our experiences shape our future relationships and decisions. My passion stems from both personal and professional experiences that have shaped my perspectives on the importance of human connection and community. I have experience working with survivors of domestic violence, child welfare systems, and community based services including providing direct and indirect support to children, adolescents, adults, and families. These experiences give me a wide knowledge base of resources, services, and systems within the Des Moines area.

Clinical Areas

Below is a list of common mental health concerns I work with in practice. This list is not exhaustive, and if you don’t see your specific concern listed here - that’s okay. Everyone comes to therapy with a unique story, different needs, and different stages of readiness. 

  • Attachment concerns

  • Coping Skills

  • Suicide / self harm 

  • Life transitions

  • Boundary setting

  • Emotion regulation 

  • Relationship challenges

  • Family conflict 

  • Generalized Anxiety / Social Anxiety

  • Depression & Mood Challenges

  • Maternal Mental Health including perinatal depression and anxiety 

  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

  • Trauma / PTSD

  • Borderline Personality Disorder

Passion Areas

  • Supporting individuals as they find their identity, values, and goals for the future

  • Empowering clients to better understand their anxiety, depression, and/or ADHD while developing coping strategies that fit their unique needs

  • Guiding individuals through major life transitions 

  • Supporting mothers navigating pregnancy and postpartum life adjustments

  • Aiding youth and families in creating and utilizing healthy communication

  • Helping individuals break generational cycles and heal from those patterns

  • Offering a safe space for individuals to show up as they are

My passion areas reflect the themes I feel most drawn to and most energized by in my work with clients.

Modalities & Education

As a Social Worker, I recognize that each therapeutic approach does not work for everyone. I blend my approach to incorporate factors outside of our control with a solution focused mindset. My approach primarily incorporates attachment theory and systems theory to explore patterns that may contribute to the challenges currently impacting you.

In practice, I draw from Cognitive Based Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Person Centered Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. I am also under the clinical supervision on Ali Simpson LMHC.

  • Masters of Social Work / Grand View University

  • Bachelors of Social Work / University of Northern Iowa

Outside the Therapy Office

Outside of therapy, I am grounded by the simple things: connection, reflection, and relationships that allow me to feel seen and recharge. In my free time, you can usually find me reading a good book, spending time with family and friends, or online shopping.