Carolyn Hollister

Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LISW

Email Me

(515) 293-5702 Call Me

Email Me

Carolyn Hollister

Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LISW (she, her)

Verified by Psychology Today Verified by Psychology Today

8 Endorsed

Call Me

Let's Connect (515) 293-5702

Available online only

Des Moines, IA 50317

My website

You are not broken. You are brave. Life can be tough, and the hard things we go through don’t just disappear; they shape the way we see ourselves, our relationships, and our world. If you’re feeling stuck in emotions, thoughts, or beliefs that are keeping you from living with a sense of well-being and consistency, I want you to know that you don’t have to do it alone.

Therapy is an act of courage. It’s about stepping into a space where you can feel safe, seen, and supported as you explore what’s holding you back. My approach is inclusive, trauma-informed, and grounded in deep respect for your own wisdom. I believe healing happens when we reconnect with ourselves, as well as the parts of us that have been hidden away.

Maybe life has left you feeling disconnected or uncertain about how to move forward. Maybe you’re longing for more peace, more joy, more you. I would be honored to walk alongside you as you find your way back to yourself.

Take the first step to help. Call or Email Carolyn Hollister now - (515) 293-5702

My Practice at a Glance

Available online only

Illuminate Life Therapy

Des Moines, IA 50317

(515) 293-5702

Illuminate Life Therapy

Ankeny, IA 50023

My website

I'm available online (via telehealth) weekdays and most evenings. You'll find I'm easy to reach if you have an urgent need.

I specialize in Anxiety, Polyamory & ENM and Trauma and PTSD

$150 Per Session, I accept insurance

I see individuals, couples and groups

Please watch my video to learn more about me and my practice.

Let's Connect (515) 293-5702

My Practice at a Glance

Available online only

Illuminate Life Therapy

Des Moines, IA 50317

(515) 293-5702

Illuminate Life Therapy

Ankeny, IA 50023

My website

I'm available online (via telehealth) weekdays and most evenings. You'll find I'm easy to reach if you have an urgent need.

I specialize in Anxiety, Polyamory & ENM and Trauma and PTSD

$150 Per Session, I accept insurance

I see individuals, couples and groups

Please watch my video to learn more about me and my practice.

Finances

Fees

Individual Sessions $150
Couple Sessions $150

Payment Methods

American Express, Cash, Discover, Health Savings Account, Mastercard, Visa

Insurance

Anthem
Blue Cross
Blue Shield
BlueCross and BlueShield
Cigna and Evernorth
HealthPartners of MN and WI
Iowa Total Care
Medica
Medicaid
Medicare
Midlands Choice
Molina Healthcare
Oscar Health
Wellmark BCBS
Wellpoint | Amerigroup
Out of Network

Please be sure to contact your insurer to confirm your coverage, co-payment amount and deductible. I can provide a superbill upon request. Self-pay is also accepted.

Carolyn Hollister

Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LISW

Email me or call with questions - (515) 293-5702

Please be sure to contact your insurer to confirm your coverage, co-payment amount and deductible. I can provide a superbill upon request. Self-pay is also accepted.

Carolyn Hollister

Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LISW

Email me or call with questions - (515) 293-5702

Qualifications

Verified by Psychology Today Licensed by State of Iowa / 107365 Carolyn Hollister

Education and Years In Practice

In Practice for 6 years

Attended University of Iowa, Master of Social Work, Graduated 2021

Additional Credentials

Degree/Diploma from Grand Valley State University Bachelor of Arts in Sociology / 2014

I am a Licensed Independent Social Worker in the State of Iowa. I have been in the human services field for over 15 years and have been a mental health therapist since 2020.

Carolyn Hollister

Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LISW

Email me or call with questions - (515) 293-5702

I am a Licensed Independent Social Worker in the State of Iowa. I have been in the human services field for over 15 years and have been a mental health therapist since 2020.

Carolyn Hollister

Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LISW

Email me or call with questions - (515) 293-5702

Specialties and Expertise

Top Specialties

Anxiety
Polyamory & ENM
Trauma and PTSD

Expertise

ADHD
Behavioral Issues
Body Image
Codependency
Coping Skills
Depression
Divorce
Domestic Abuse
Domestic Violence
Family Conflict
Grief
LGBTQ+
Life Transitions
Mood Disorders
Parenting
Personality Disorders
Relationship Issues
Religious Trauma
Sex-Positive & Kink Friendly
Stress
Transgender
Women's Issues

Most of my clients have described early experiences with inconsistent caretakers in their youth, and an upbringing that was stressful, lonely and chaotically unpredictable. These kinds of childhoods leave us with many blind spots that get in the way of our own self-awareness, and emotional regulation abilities. I can help you identify these blind spots and heal by being more authentic.

Carolyn Hollister

Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LISW

Email me or call with questions - (515) 293-5702

Carolyn Hollister

Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LISW

Email me or call with questions - (515) 293-5702

8 Endorsements

Devin Waterhouse

Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LISW

Carolyn is a wonderful and caring person who is very passionate about help those who are and feel misunderstood and stigmatized. She has a very positive energy.

Shannon Haus

Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSEd, LMHC, ADHD-PT

I highly recommend Carolyn Hollister, LISW, for her expertise in career counseling, trauma, chronic illness, and relationship issues. Carolyn provides a compassionate, affirming space for clients facing grief, family conflict, stress, and mood disorders.

Amber C. Jointer

Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LISW, LCSW

Carolyn provides a safe, comforting therapeutic environment for healing to take place. She practices with a high degree of compassion and ensures that her clients feel seen. I have consulted with her on a variety of topics and truly value her perspective.

Annie Nelson

Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LISW

Carolyn has wonderfully grounding energy, which is very welcome and extremely beneficial in a clinical space. She is curious, insightful, affirming, and a great choice for clients looking to connect/reconnect with themselves.

Kathy Greer

Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LISW, CSAT

Carolyn has an innate ability to make every person she comes in contact with feel comfortable, accepted, and safe. Her affirming personality makes her a wonderful therapist for all, but especially for diverse populations, her skill set really shines!"

Angelia McCright

Counselor, MA, LMHC, NCC

Carolyn is an empathetic, caring therapist who connects well with her clients and provides quality trauma-informed care.

Lindsay Dalton

Counselor, MS, tLMHC

Carolyn is an incredibly skilled and intuitive therapist. She provides her clients with impressive expertise and compassionate corrective experiences, allowing them the secure base and confidence with which to fully heal, grow, and thrive.

Zoey Erixon

Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LISW, CADC

Carolyn is very skilled, and I often refer clients to her. I value her expertise in working with LGBTQIA+ communities, religious trauma and EMDR. She exudes warmth and holds space for nuance, blending her intuitive wisdom with evidence based practice.

Client Focus

Age

Adults ,

Elders (65+)

Participants

Individuals ,

Couples ,

Group

Communities

Aviation Professionals ,

Bisexual Allied ,

Blind Allied ,

Deaf Allied ,

Gay Allied ,

HIV / AIDS Allied ,

Immuno-disorders ,

Intersex Allied ,

Lesbian Allied ,

Little Person Allied ,

Non-Binary Allied ,

Queer Allied ,

Racial Justice Allied ,

Sex Worker Allied ,

Single Parent ,

Transgender Allied

Age

Adults ,

Elders (65+)

Participants

Individuals ,

Couples ,

Group

Communities

Aviation Professionals ,

Bisexual Allied ,

Blind Allied ,

Deaf Allied ,

Gay Allied ,

HIV / AIDS Allied ,

Immuno-disorders ,

Intersex Allied ,

Lesbian Allied ,

Little Person Allied ,

Non-Binary Allied ,

Queer Allied ,

Racial Justice Allied ,

Sex Worker Allied ,

Single Parent ,

Transgender Allied

Treatment Approach

Types of Therapy

Acceptance and Commitment (ACT)
Attachment-based
Compassion Focused
EMDR
Emotionally Focused
Existential
Feminist
Humanistic
Jungian
Mindfulness-Based (MBCT)
Person-Centered
Psychoanalytic
Somatic
Strength-Based
Trauma Focused

The goal is to help you increase your self awareness and the emotional flexibility in your life. Because life is unpredictable, I prefer sharing a variety of techniques to help you understand yourself first, so you can adapt to those changes mindfully. Living an authentic life, requires knowing what's authentic to yourself, and that requires identifying blind spots that get in the way.

Carolyn Hollister

Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LISW

Email me or call with questions - (515) 293-5702

Carolyn Hollister

Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LISW

Email me or call with questions - (515) 293-5702