Existential / Humanistic therapists in Ames, IA
Browse Existential / Humanistic therapists in Ames, Iowa. Compare credentials, specialties and therapeutic approach. Contact a therapist to learn more.
Existential
Dr. Stéphanie Gamache, PhD
Hypnotherapist, PhD
Something in you knows that what you're carrying runs deeper than the presenting problem.
Many of the people I work with are thoughtful, capable, and outwardly composed-yet internally they live with anxiety, depression, chronic tension or pain, relentless self-criticism, or a sense that something essential is blocked, muted, or just out of reach. These struggles may surface in mood, in the body, in behavior, or in relationships-including sexuality and intimacy-but they are rarely contained to any one area. They tend to reflect deeper emotional and relational patterns formed early in life, often before language, that continue to shape how a person approaches closeness, vulnerability, agency, pleasure, and self-expression.
My work centers on how early experience shapes the capacity for self-regulation, desire, connection, and meaning throughout life-and particularly on how people come to know what they need and want, how they learn to express or inhibit those impulses, and what happens when these capacities become conflicted, constricted, or difficult to sustain.
I integrate psychoanalytic hypnotherapy, somatic awareness, and clinical sexology within a reflective, depth-oriented process. Hypnosis functions as a central clinical tool-creating conditions for deeper internal contact with emotional, bodily, and unconscious experience that can be difficult to reach through conversation alone. The aim is not only relief from symptoms, but the development of a more coherent and compassionate relationship with one's inner life: sensations, emotions, impulses, and desires.
This work is oriented toward lasting psychological change-and toward greater freedom in how one relates to oneself, one's body, and one's capacity for connection, authenticity, and vitality. It is best suited to those ready to move beyond symptom management toward something more fundamental.
7 Years Experience
Online in Ames, IA (Online Only)
Existential
Louis Hoffman
Psychologist, PhD
I believe psychotherapy is most effective when it is grounded in a genuine, collaborative relationship characterized by empathy, authenticity, and respect. My approach is existential-humanistic and relational, recognizing that each person brings a unique history, perspective, and way of experiencing the world. Rather than viewing people primarily through the lens of symptoms or diagnoses, I seek to empathetically understand the whole person, including their struggles, strengths, relationships, values, and aspirations.
I see therapy as an opportunity not only to address emotional distress but also to deepen self-understanding, explore life's challenges, and discover new possibilities for living more authentically and meaningfully. I strive to create a therapeutic space where clients feel genuinely heard, understood, and challenged in ways that support growth. I believe meaningful change emerges through authentic encounter, increased awareness, and the courage to engage more fully with ourselves, others, and the world.
25 Years Experience
Online in Ames, IA
Existential
GRIS ALVES
Counselor/Therapist, Compassionate Inquiry, Trauma Informed Mindfulness Teacher
I offer compassionate, trauma-informed online therapy for individuals seeking healing, clarity, and meaningful change. My practice is rooted in mindfulness, somatic awareness, and evidence-based therapy, and I am certified in Compassionate Inquiry®, a trauma-informed approach developed by Dr. Gabor Maté that supports deep emotional processing and nervous system regulation. Clients often reach out when they feel overwhelmed, disconnected from themselves, or ready to move beyond survival patterns related to anxiety, depression, addiction recovery, grief, or trauma. Therapy with me is collaborative, culturally sensitive, and grounded in safety, helping clients reconnect with their inner wisdom and build lasting emotional resilience.
11 Years Experience
Online in Ames, IA
Existential
MindOverHealing Therapies
Hypnotherapist, CHt
My practice of MindOverHealing Therapies is dedicated to supporting and helping individuals achieve holistic mind-body-spirit healing so they can break through barriers and be empowered to experience life's possibilities. At this time, I offer online therapy sessions where clients can receive sessions in the comfort of their homes.
3 Years Experience
Online in Ames, IA (Online Only)
Existential
Shannon Gorres
Life Coach, MDiv, MA
Life has a way of shaping us through both beauty and heartbreak. I deeply understand anger, anxiety, and existential dilemmas. My own journey has been one of profound feeling, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to growth.
Growth begins when we are willing to meet ourselves with honesty, curiosity, and care. For two decades I cultivated knowledge and skills to help others move through intense emotional pain, life transitions, and spiritual questions with greater clarity, resilience, and purpose. I faced seasons that tested everything I thought I knew. Healing from a narcissistic relationship, navigating a challenging postpartum year, grieving the loss of my mother, and embracing unexpected identity changes~ this all became part of my awakening. These experiences- combined with years of dedicated study and personal reflection- have deepened my compassion and understanding of the healing process. My work honors both the unique human spirit and the sacredness woven into everyday life.
Today, as a Master of Divinity and Certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide, I help people reconnect with their true selves, cultivate emotional healing, and explore a deeper relationship with the Divine. My work is grounded in authenticity, empathy, and meaningful transformation.
The values guiding my life are integrity, compassion, and wholehearted depth. I'd love to learn what values are leading you on your journey today.
11 Years Experience
Online in Ames, IA
Existential / Humanistic Therapy therapists in Ames, IA Statistics
Existential / Humanistic Therapy therapists in Ames, IA average 16 years of experience and charge around $173 per session. 100% offer online sessions. The most commonly treated issues are Anxiety or Fears (100%), Depression (88%), and Codependency (75%).
Average years in practice
16 Years Experience
Average cost per session
$173
Accept insurance
13%
Offer sliding scale
38%
Gender ID
| 62% |
Female |
|
| 25% |
Male |
|
| 13% |
Gender Fluid |
|
Session Type
| 50% |
In Person and Online |
|
| 50% |
Online Only |
|
Top Specialties
| 100% | Anxiety or Fears |
| 88% | Depression |
| 75% | Codependency |
| 75% | Loss or Grief |
| 75% | Social Anxiety |
| 75% | Spirituality |
| 75% | Stress |
Ages Served
| 100% | Adult |
| 100% | Senior |
| 75% | Young Adult |
| 50% | Teen |
| 25% | Children |
Client Focus
| 75% | Buddhist |
| 63% | Asian |
| 63% | Christian |
| 63% | Hispanic / Latino |
| 63% | Men |