Check out our events page to learn more about upcoming events and how you can get involved.
MAY WEBINARS
Exploring the Impact of Childhood Trauma, Motivation & Procrastination, Depression, Stress Reactions, Stigma in the Workplace, and more
As always, these events are absolutely free & everyone is welcome! Attendance certificates provided at no cost
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Support Group Meetings
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Parents of Youth Support Group
Sunday 5/5 from 2-3:30 pm
Location: Urbandale Public Library | 3520 86th Street | Urbandale, IA
Peer Support Group
Saturday 5/11 from 3-4:30 pm
Location: Forest Ave Public Library | 1326 Forest Ave | Des Moines, IA
Family Support Group
Sunday 5/19 from 2:30-4:00 pm
Location: Eyerly Ball | 1301 Center Street | Des Moines, IA
Understanding Narcissistic Personality Disorder
People often label others as narcissists without having a clear understanding of what this diagnosis really means. Explore the signs and symptoms, causes, and treatment of this often-misunderstood diagnosis. Separate myths and facts and learn how to manage symptoms with a licensed therapist.
- Tuesday, April 16th
- • 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm CDT
Understanding Psychotherapy
How does talk therapy work? Who benefits? How do you find a good therapist? Discuss the reasons why people go to therapy, what the process truly looks like, and how to find a qualified professional.
- Wednesday, April 17th
- • 10:00 am – 11:00 am CDT
Self-Care and Wellbeing: A Hands-On Approach for Better Health
Now, more than ever, it’s important to allow time to recharge – but too often we feel guilty for taking time to meet our basic needs. Explore what self-care is, why it’s so important, and learn techniques for incorporating self-care into your daily life.
- Wednesday, April 17th
- • 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm CDT
Understanding Social Anxiety
It’s normal to feel nervous in some social situations, but social anxiety disorder involves more than temporary discomfort when giving a presentation or making small talk. Everyday interactions cause intense feelings of anxiety and fear that disrupt relationships, daily routines, and performance at work and school. Explore the symptoms of social anxiety disorder, learn what the possible causes are, how it is treated, and strategies to manage symptoms and support loved ones who are struggling.
- Thursday, April 18th
- • 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm CDT
Creating Positive Connections in Discipline
Does punishment change children’s behavior? Explore the differences between discipline and punishment, and learn how discipline can be used to create trusting relationships that foster success. This course is designed for professionals who work with children and families and is developed from a culturally conscious and trauma-informed lens.
- Monday, April 22nd
- • 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm CDT
Understanding Intergenerational Trauma
Trauma can be passed down through families, affecting individuals and communities across generations. Explore how trauma moves through generations, its consequences, the link to complex PTSD, and how to recover in this one-hour seminar with a licensed therapist.
- Tuesday, April 23rd
- • 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm CDT
Understanding PTSD
Trauma impacts everyone differently, depending on the nature of the trauma, presence or lack of social support, access to treatment, and coping strategies. This one-hour seminar provides an accessible guide to understanding what causes Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, its symptoms, co-occurring disorders, and treatment options.
- Wednesday, April 24th
- • 10:00 am – 11:00 am CDT
Special Issues in Women’s Mental Health: Understanding Postpartum Depression & Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
The postpartum period is the most vulnerable time for women to develop a psychiatric disorder, and postpartum depression affects up to 15% of mothers. These are severe and chronic conditions that need medical attention and treatment. Explore the symptoms, causation, and treatment for PPD and PMDD and learn practical strategies to manage symptoms with a licensed therapist.
- Wednesday, April 24th
- • 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm CDT
The Science Behind Mental Illness
Diagnosing mental illness isn’t like diagnosing other chronic diseases. Are mental health disorders best understood as physical illnesses that affect the brain? Or do these disorders belong in a category all their own? Explore the causes, treatment, and prevention of mental illness and separate myths & facts in this often-misunderstood topic.
- Thursday, April 25th
- • 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm CDT
Mental Health & Mental Illness: What’s the Difference?
While these terms are often used interchangeably, mental health and mental illness are not the same — and this misunderstanding can cause us to overlook the signs that someone needs help. This one-hour seminar provides an accessible guide to understanding what mental health is, the categories of mental illness, and how they’re treated. Separate myths & facts with a licensed therapist.
- Tuesday, April 30th
- • 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm CDT
Understanding Hoarding
Hoarding is a compulsive behavior that involves much more than keeping extra papers around. Explore the reasons people hoard, common symptoms of hoarding, and the impact hoarding has on both the individual and the family in this one-hour seminar.
- Wednesday, May 1st
- • 10:00 am – 11:00 am CDT
Understanding High-Functioning Depression
The official diagnosis for high-functioning depression is persistent depressive disorder, or PDD. The symptoms are similar to major depression but less severe, and many people with PDD are able to maintain a relatively normal level of functioning. But persistent fatigue, low self-esteem, poor concentration, and feeling hopeless puts people at higher-than-average risk for suicide and self-harm, and symptoms can continue indefinitely without treatment. Discuss the signs and symptoms of PDD, what causes it, and who is at risk in this one-hour seminar with a licensed therapist. Learn how PDD is treated, how lifestyle changes can help, and how to support loved ones with PDD.
- Wednesday, May 1st
- • 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm CDT
Understanding Motivation and Procrastination
Almost everyone procrastinates sometimes. But if you continue to put things off, then regret it and feel bad about yourself afterward, it’s easy to get caught in a cycle that can impact your physical & mental health. Explore the reasons why people procrastinate and learn techniques to get and stay motivated in this one-hour seminar.
- Thursday, May 2nd
- • 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm CDT
The Impact of Childhood Trauma
The first webinar in our trauma series explores what childhood trauma is, how traumatic responses may look different in children, and how childhood trauma can influence our well-being into adulthood. Discuss what factors influence the intensity of trauma reactions and what we can do to decrease the impact in this one-hour webinar with a licensed therapist. Part 1 in a 3-part series.
- Monday, May 6th
- • 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm CDT
Understanding Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
OCD manifests differently in different people – and involves much more than anxiety about germs or compulsions to clean. This one-hour webinar provides an accessible guide to understanding this often-misunderstood diagnosis, including symptoms of OCD, co-occurring disorders, and treatment options.
- Tuesday, May 7th
- • 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm CDT
Discrimination, Fear, and Mental Health in LGBTQIA+ Communities
LGBTQIA+ adults are three times more likely to experience a mental health disorder than people who identify as straight. Discuss what factors impact this statistic, how to find supportive professionals, ways of coping, and how to be a true ally.
- Wednesday, May 8th
- • 10:00 am- 11:00am CDT
Understanding Personality Disorders
Personality describes everything about you, and personality disorders can be challenging to manage. In addition to dealing with the illness itself, people often struggle with the myths and stigma surrounding personality disorders. Explore the categories of personality disorders, their symptoms, causes & risk factors with a licensed therapist. Discuss evidence-based treatment and learn practical tips for managing symptoms and supporting others.
- Wednesday, May 8th
- • 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm CDT
Resolutions & Goal Setting
According to statistics, only 9% of people actually accomplish their New Year’s resolutions. Explore the psychology behind why resolutions fail and how to set goals that you can and will achieve with a licensed therapist.
- Thursday, May 9th
- • 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm CDT
Understanding Trichotillomania & Skin Picking
Trichotillomania, hair-pulling, and excoriation disorder, better known as skin-picking, are two distinct disorders falling under the OCD umbrella that have many similarities. Join us in learning more about these body-focused repetitive behaviors and discuss the signs and symptoms, causes, and treatment options with a licensed therapist. Gain tips to manage symptoms and learn how to support loved ones who are struggling in this one-hour seminar.
- Tuesday May 14th
- • 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm CDT
Understanding Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a lifelong illness that changes how you think, feel, and act. A combination of hallucinations, delusions, disordered thinking and behavior can be debilitating. Explore the causes, symptoms, co-occurring disorders, and treatment of schizophrenia, and gain practical tips for managing symptoms.
- Wednesday May 15th
- • 10:00 am – 11:00 am CDT
Understanding Schizoaffective Disorder
Schizoaffective disorder is a complicated illness that is often confused with other disorders. Explore the diagnostic criteria, signs, and symptoms that differentiate schizoaffective disorder from other illnesses. This one-hour seminar includes information on causation, risk factors, treatment options, and ways to cope if you or a loved one have been diagnosed.
- Wednesday, May 15th
- • 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm CDT
Understanding Stress Responses: Effects on Your Body & Behavior
The term ‘stress’ is used loosely in our culture. What does it really mean and how vulnerable are you? Understand the biology of stress and explore realistic and practical ways to manage distress in this one-hour seminar with a licensed therapist.
- Thursday, May 16th
- • 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm CDT
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Meet the Instructors
