Caroline Oestreich, LISW

Hi, I'm Caroline! I'm so glad you're here. Reaching out for therapy isn't always easy, and you don't have to have everything figured out before you begin. My goal is to create a warm, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where you can show up exactly as you are. I want you to feel heard, understood, and empowered as we work toward meaningful, lasting change together. Here With You Counseling is an LGBTQIA+ affirming practice where all identities are welcomed, respected, and celebrated because your experiences, and who you are matters. As a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW), I provide in-person individual therapy for adults and adolescents (12+) in West Des Moines, Iowa, with secure virtual counseling available throughout Iowa. I work with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, life transitions, women's issues, chronic stress, relationship concerns, perfectionism, people-pleasing, low self-esteem, and feeling overwhelmed by the demands of everyday life. Many people come to therapy after spending years convincing themselves they're "fine" because they've become incredibly good at pushing through. If you've been carrying anxiety, self-doubt, grief, or the weight of everyone else's expectations, it makes sense that you're tired. You don't have to keep white-knuckling your way through life. Therapy offers a space to slow down, observe and understand the patterns that have kept you stuck, build practical tools, and create a life that feels more grounded, meaningful, and true to who you are. Throughout my career, I've had the privilege of supporting individuals and families across a variety of settings, including hospitals, hospice and home health care, Veterans Affairs, child protective services, school-based mental health, and private practice. These experiences have given me a broad perspective on the many ways trauma, loss, relationships, family dynamics, and major life transitions can shape emotional well-being. They have also reinforced my belief that every person's story deserves to be met with compassion, curiosity, and respect. My role is to walk alongside you with curiosity, honesty, and compassion. I'll celebrate your wins, help you untangle the hard stuff, and meet you with compassion through all of it. While therapy can involve difficult conversations, I also believe there's room for lightness, laughter, and moments that remind us that we're more than the challenges we're facing. My hope is that you leave each session feeling a little more understood, a little more grounded, and a little more confident in your ability to navigate the tough stuff. My approach to therapy is collaborative, person-centered, trauma-informed, and tailored to your unique goals. I integrate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), strengths-based approaches, and evidence-based interventions to help clients better understand themselves, manage anxiety and depression, process difficult emotions, strengthen coping skills, challenge unhelpful thought patterns, reduce self-criticism, and build lives that reflect their values rather than their fears. I am currently accepting new clients. If you're ready to get started, you're welcome to request an intake appointment online. I'll review your request, and if it seems like we're a good fit, I'll gladly accept the appointment and look forward to meeting you. If you'd prefer to connect first, you can schedule a free 15-minute consultation to ask questions, discuss your goals, and decide whether working together would be a good fit. Hours: Monday - Thursday, 9am to 5pm