Psychodynamic Therapists in Spencer, IA
Life ever feel like one giant group project where you’re doing all the work? Or like you’re trying to keep 50 tabs open in your brain—and everything keeps freezing? Maybe you’re snapping at people you care about, crying in the shower, or just feeling blah when you used to feel alive. You don’t have to keep pushing through on empty. Therapy with me is a place to drop the armor. We’ll sort through the chaos, laugh when we can, cry when we need to, and figure out what actually helps you feel lighter. Together, we’ll uncover what matters most to you and help you move forward with confidence and a renewed sense of hope.
Life ever feel like one giant group project where you’re doing all the work? Or like you’re trying to keep 50 tabs open in your brain—and everything keeps freezing? Maybe you’re snapping at people you care about, crying in the shower, or just feeling blah when you used to feel alive. You don’t have to keep pushing through on empty. Therapy with me is a place to drop the armor. We’ll sort through the chaos, laugh when we can, cry when we need to, and figure out what actually helps you feel lighter. Together, we’ll uncover what matters most to you and help you move forward with confidence and a renewed sense of hope.
Life can bring many challenges, struggles, and difficult times. All of us have had seasons when we felt stuck and hopeless and in need of a starting point for healing and recovery. Very often, the past is present in disruptive ways, making it difficult to enjoy the moment or causing damage to our relationships. Sometimes worries can become consuming and we find ourselves simply surviving, instead of thriving. My passion is to walk alongside you, offering evidence-based treatment approaches, as you discover and embrace the life you want to live.
Life can bring many challenges, struggles, and difficult times. All of us have had seasons when we felt stuck and hopeless and in need of a starting point for healing and recovery. Very often, the past is present in disruptive ways, making it difficult to enjoy the moment or causing damage to our relationships. Sometimes worries can become consuming and we find ourselves simply surviving, instead of thriving. My passion is to walk alongside you, offering evidence-based treatment approaches, as you discover and embrace the life you want to live.
More Therapists Nearby
Are you struggling with anxiety, relationship, or addiction issues? I specialize in all three of those. With my 20 years of experience I can help you get the change and relief you are looking for. Most of my clients start to feel better within a couple of sessions. Therapy can be short or long term and I will work with you on a plan that works best for you and your needs. Some of my other experience includes, depression, mood disorders, couples/family issues, major life changes, grief, divorce, domestic violence, parenting, trauma, and adjustments to adult children.
Are you struggling with anxiety, relationship, or addiction issues? I specialize in all three of those. With my 20 years of experience I can help you get the change and relief you are looking for. Most of my clients start to feel better within a couple of sessions. Therapy can be short or long term and I will work with you on a plan that works best for you and your needs. Some of my other experience includes, depression, mood disorders, couples/family issues, major life changes, grief, divorce, domestic violence, parenting, trauma, and adjustments to adult children.
I’m a culturally responsive clinical social worker with over 10 years of experience supporting immigrants, underrepresented adults, and children of immigrants as they navigate some of life’s most difficult moments. I help clients work through anxiety (including generalized, social, and panic), depression, grief that feels hard to move through, substance use concerns, and relationship challenges like codependency, communication struggles, and healing after betrayal. Together, we focus on building insight, strengthening coping skills, and helping you feel more grounded, empowered, and supported in your daily life.
I’m a culturally responsive clinical social worker with over 10 years of experience supporting immigrants, underrepresented adults, and children of immigrants as they navigate some of life’s most difficult moments. I help clients work through anxiety (including generalized, social, and panic), depression, grief that feels hard to move through, substance use concerns, and relationship challenges like codependency, communication struggles, and healing after betrayal. Together, we focus on building insight, strengthening coping skills, and helping you feel more grounded, empowered, and supported in your daily life.
Online Therapists
We all face difficult situations in our lives that can leave us feeling alone and overwhelmed. My goal is to help you find your true potential to lead a full and productive life. Together we can work to better understand and resolve the challenges that you face. By applying complimentary therapy approaches and techniques, we will identify negative perceptions or behavior patterns that may be keeping you from experiencing a more fulfilling and meaningful life.
We all face difficult situations in our lives that can leave us feeling alone and overwhelmed. My goal is to help you find your true potential to lead a full and productive life. Together we can work to better understand and resolve the challenges that you face. By applying complimentary therapy approaches and techniques, we will identify negative perceptions or behavior patterns that may be keeping you from experiencing a more fulfilling and meaningful life.
I specialize in trauma-focused therapy for adults who want to move from surviving to living with clarity, confidence, and purpose.
My approach integrates information from studies of neuroscience, Adlerian psychology, and evidence-based modalities such as CBT, ACT, DBT, and Motivational Interviewing. I also incorporate art and play therapy, mindfulness, and spiritual exploration when meaningful to you — creating a space where healing feels both grounded and creative.
I specialize in trauma-focused therapy for adults who want to move from surviving to living with clarity, confidence, and purpose.
My approach integrates information from studies of neuroscience, Adlerian psychology, and evidence-based modalities such as CBT, ACT, DBT, and Motivational Interviewing. I also incorporate art and play therapy, mindfulness, and spiritual exploration when meaningful to you — creating a space where healing feels both grounded and creative.
Individuals who feel bound by the invisible Band-Aid may struggle to express themselves with others. Sometimes, we have problematic problems, and sometimes, we have typical responses to abnormal events, and that’s where I come into play. My role as a therapist is to tailor therapy to your needs, combining psychoeducation and evidence-based interventions to move you toward healing and growth. The decision to go to therapy can be difficult. I believe it is a privilege to work alongside individuals on their journey to overcoming life’s challenges.
Individuals who feel bound by the invisible Band-Aid may struggle to express themselves with others. Sometimes, we have problematic problems, and sometimes, we have typical responses to abnormal events, and that’s where I come into play. My role as a therapist is to tailor therapy to your needs, combining psychoeducation and evidence-based interventions to move you toward healing and growth. The decision to go to therapy can be difficult. I believe it is a privilege to work alongside individuals on their journey to overcoming life’s challenges.
Hey there! If you are reading this, I want to let you know that I am already proud of you for taking the first step in seeking help. My goal as a therapist is to work alongside you in achieving whatever challenges you are facing that is preventing you from living your best life. You can rest assured that working with me will be judgement-free.
Hey there! If you are reading this, I want to let you know that I am already proud of you for taking the first step in seeking help. My goal as a therapist is to work alongside you in achieving whatever challenges you are facing that is preventing you from living your best life. You can rest assured that working with me will be judgement-free.
What would your ideal life look and feel like? It’s different from your current life, isn’t it? Sometimes its hard to imagine how life can ever be different... I’ll bet what you dream about in your ideal life are basic things: sleeping better, setting healthy boundaries, getting away from toxic people. Not feeling anxious or depressed. You dream about feeling strong, confident, and at peace. Most of all you long to feel safe and at home in your own skin. So what is keeping you from making your life into that ideal?
What would your ideal life look and feel like? It’s different from your current life, isn’t it? Sometimes its hard to imagine how life can ever be different... I’ll bet what you dream about in your ideal life are basic things: sleeping better, setting healthy boundaries, getting away from toxic people. Not feeling anxious or depressed. You dream about feeling strong, confident, and at peace. Most of all you long to feel safe and at home in your own skin. So what is keeping you from making your life into that ideal?
Sometimes things just start to feel like a lot — even everyday parts of life. It can help to have a space where you don’t have to carry everything alone. I work with adults and older adults experiencing anxiety, depression, grief, stress and life changes. Together, we focus on practical ways to cope while making sense of what’s going on so things begin to feel more manageable. I have experience working with older adults and Medicare clients in rural Iowa and Nebraska, where access to care can be limited.
Sometimes things just start to feel like a lot — even everyday parts of life. It can help to have a space where you don’t have to carry everything alone. I work with adults and older adults experiencing anxiety, depression, grief, stress and life changes. Together, we focus on practical ways to cope while making sense of what’s going on so things begin to feel more manageable. I have experience working with older adults and Medicare clients in rural Iowa and Nebraska, where access to care can be limited.
Amanda Baker-Vande Brake
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, PhDc, LMFT
1 Endorsed
Sioux Center, IA 51250
She integrates dreamwork and active imagination alongside trauma-informed and other integrative and psychodynamic practices to suit each patient’s complexities.
Working from an integrative depth psychological perspective, Amanda helps couples and individual adults deepen and navigate their everyday lives in a conscious relationship with their inner selves and their inner callings. Her patients often begin therapy with issues related to depression, anxiety, relationship difficulties and unintentionally making choices that keep them stuck. They desire more clarity about the cause of their persistent mental, physical and emotional symptoms in order to experience more freedom in their daily lives. Ultimately, her patients seek more meaning in their lives and are willing to take steps toward it.
She integrates dreamwork and active imagination alongside trauma-informed and other integrative and psychodynamic practices to suit each patient’s complexities.
Working from an integrative depth psychological perspective, Amanda helps couples and individual adults deepen and navigate their everyday lives in a conscious relationship with their inner selves and their inner callings. Her patients often begin therapy with issues related to depression, anxiety, relationship difficulties and unintentionally making choices that keep them stuck. They desire more clarity about the cause of their persistent mental, physical and emotional symptoms in order to experience more freedom in their daily lives. Ultimately, her patients seek more meaning in their lives and are willing to take steps toward it.
I utilize DBT, CBT, Psychodynamic and Person-Centered approaches.
As a therapist, I want everyone who walks through the door to feel accepted and safe. I like to say the therapy office is one of the few places on earth where judgment doesn’t exist. It certainly won’t in my office! My goal is to meet you where you are and walk with you through the goals you feel are most important.
I utilize DBT, CBT, Psychodynamic and Person-Centered approaches.
As a therapist, I want everyone who walks through the door to feel accepted and safe. I like to say the therapy office is one of the few places on earth where judgment doesn’t exist. It certainly won’t in my office! My goal is to meet you where you are and walk with you through the goals you feel are most important.
My work as a therapist is rooted in my military service, where I saw firsthand how trauma and life setbacks impact individuals and families. I specialize in helping people navigate trauma, adversity, and periods of feeling stuck or overwhelmed. I provide a grounded, nonjudgmental space where clients can process their experiences, build resilience, and develop practical tools for change. My approach is collaborative and focused on helping you regain a sense of direction and move forward in a meaningful, sustainable way.
My work as a therapist is rooted in my military service, where I saw firsthand how trauma and life setbacks impact individuals and families. I specialize in helping people navigate trauma, adversity, and periods of feeling stuck or overwhelmed. I provide a grounded, nonjudgmental space where clients can process their experiences, build resilience, and develop practical tools for change. My approach is collaborative and focused on helping you regain a sense of direction and move forward in a meaningful, sustainable way.
Hello, I am Peggy Clark. I have a license in Marriage and Family Therapy through the state of Iowa. I have been practicing for over 20 years with individuals, families, and children. I have helped many with relational issues, be it couples, parents and children of all ages. Unfortunately, I am no longer working with children under the age of 16 years. Many come to me with stresses of life, work, and personal, and traumas of all sorts that creates high anxiety and depression. I believe that all have a story to be respected, strengths to be built upon, in a team effort. I have a laid back, conversational, caring approach.
Hello, I am Peggy Clark. I have a license in Marriage and Family Therapy through the state of Iowa. I have been practicing for over 20 years with individuals, families, and children. I have helped many with relational issues, be it couples, parents and children of all ages. Unfortunately, I am no longer working with children under the age of 16 years. Many come to me with stresses of life, work, and personal, and traumas of all sorts that creates high anxiety and depression. I believe that all have a story to be respected, strengths to be built upon, in a team effort. I have a laid back, conversational, caring approach.
You are more than a number at The Heart of Play. You are deserving of a place where you feel warm, welcome, seen, heard, validated, safe, and trusting. You deserve to share your story and know you are truly valued and respected in your journey. The Heart of Play recognizes the heart of healing requires vulnerability, courage, integrity, and bravery. We will walk alongside you in your journey, joining you in your vulnerability and healing as equals. We are not the experts on you— you are! You, all of you, are welcome here. That is our approach.
You are more than a number at The Heart of Play. You are deserving of a place where you feel warm, welcome, seen, heard, validated, safe, and trusting. You deserve to share your story and know you are truly valued and respected in your journey. The Heart of Play recognizes the heart of healing requires vulnerability, courage, integrity, and bravery. We will walk alongside you in your journey, joining you in your vulnerability and healing as equals. We are not the experts on you— you are! You, all of you, are welcome here. That is our approach.
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Psychodynamic Therapists
Is psychodynamic therapy evidence-based?
Studies have found psychodynamic therapy to be effective in treating conditions like social anxiety, eating disorders, chronic pain, some personality disorders, and depression; indeed, some studies have found it to be just as effective as CBT or medication. What’s more, several studies have found that the benefits of psychodynamic therapy tend to endure—even grow—long after treatment has ended.
How long does psychodynamic therapy last?
Unlike CBT and other more structured forms of therapy, psychodynamic therapy tends to be open-ended and may not be limited to a set number of sessions. It is common for clients to be in therapy for a year or longer and to see their therapist one to three times a week, though the exact schedule and timeline may vary depending on a client’s challenges and progress. However, brief psychodynamic therapy is available, which tends to be more goal-oriented and typically unfolds over 16 to 30 sessions.
Does psychodynamic therapy work?
Research finds that psychodynamic therapy can help someone manage or reduce symptoms of diagnosable mental health conditions like depression or anxiety. The modality may also offer a range of benefits that are harder to measure but just as valuable—such as increased self-worth or healthier relationships. While no therapy type will work for everyone, research and anecdotal evidence suggest that psychodynamic therapy can be highly effective.
What are the limitations of psychodynamic therapy?
Some meta-analyses have concluded that there is little evidence to suggest that psychodynamic therapy can effectively treat certain mental health conditions such as PTSD, OCD, or psychosis, though it is sometimes used to do so. More broadly, the open-ended, free-association structure of psychodynamic therapy may be frustrating for clients who prefer a more structured, time-limited, or goal-oriented approach.