Professional Counseling Services

I am Cheryl Moore, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with a passion for helping individuals and couples navigate through life’s challenges with compassion and expertise.

Trauma-Informed Care and Specialized Therapies

My approach to therapy is deeply rooted in trauma-informed care. I believe in creating a safe and supportive environment where healing can flourish. I use evidenced-based practices to aim at a comprehensive approach to treating trauma, using therapies such as EMDR and ART (Accelerated Resolution Therapy) for reprocessing past trauma, and DBT skills for building life skills and resilience.

• Learn more about EMDR here
• Learn more about ART here
• Learn more about DBT here

Attachment Theory and Internal Family Systems

Understanding the complexities of human relationships is crucial in therapy. Drawing from attachment theory and internal family systems, I guide clients in exploring how early life experiences shape their current beliefs and behaviors. Together, we work towards integrating and healing fragmented parts of the self, fostering a more balanced and resilient sense of identity.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is used to help individuals develop emotional regulation, mindfulness, and interpersonal effectiveness. I create a supportive and validating environment where clients can explore their feelings, build coping skills, and achieve their goals. DBT is offered in both a skills training group setting and in individual therapy.

Gottman Method Couples Therapy

For couples facing challenges in their relationship, I offer Gottman Method couples therapy. This approach, backed by decades of research, helps couples strengthen their emotional connection, improve communication, and navigate conflicts constructively. I also specialize in working with couples affected by affairs and navigating PTSD within relationships, providing tools and strategies to rebuild trust and intimacy.

The 7 Principles for Making Marriage Work

My husband and I co-facilitate educational classes for couples, certified as Gottman Leaders in “The 7 Principles for Making Marriage Work.” We offer workshops at Family Legacy Counseling, online, within the community, and at local churches. Our mission is to provide education, resources, and encouragement to couples at every stage of their committed relationships. Our passion for helping others stems from our journeys of healing, which include navigating remarriage after divorce, blending families, and embracing interracial relationships.

Christian Worldview Integration

As a Christian counselor, I am committed to integrating faith with therapy for those who seek it. I respect and honor each client’s spiritual journey, offering guidance and support within a Christian worldview framework. Whether exploring the intersection of faith and mental health or incorporating spiritual practices into therapy, I strive to create a space where clients can find solace and strength in their faith.

Professional Background and Education

I hold a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University and have received extensive training in trauma-focused therapies, including EMDR and Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART). My continuing education includes advanced training in Gottman Method couples therapy and specialized training in addressing affairs and PTSD in relationships.

More About Me 

Before embarking on my educational journey, I spent 16 years as a stay-at-home mom, homeschooling my four children for a time and managing a small homestead in rural southern Iowa. I began work outside of the home in my mid-30s, as a nurse at the VA Hospital. I then moved on to work within community mental health settings, targeted case management, and county social work within Medicaid systems for more than a decade. I have been providing counseling services at Family Legacy Counseling since 2021.

I lived in rural areas for most of my life, and abide by the Midwestern values of hard work, family, and faith. Currently, I live in West Des Moines with my husband and our two little dogs, Tito and Rita. When not working, I enjoy exercising, cooking healthy meals, and tending to my fish aquariums and many houseplants. I really look forward to spending time with my grown children and grandchildren.

Areas of Interest:

• Adults of all ages
• Trauma-informed care utilizing:
• EMDR therapy
• ART (Accelerated Resolution Therapy)
• DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy)
• IFS (Internal Family Systems)
• Couples therapy using The Gottman Method
• Codependency
• Toxic relationship recovery/narcissistic abuse
• Anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders

Memberships:

• Chi Sigma Iota (Counseling Academic and Professional Honor Society International)
• EMDRIA-Associate Member
• International Society of Accelerated Resolution Therapy (IS-ART)
• National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)
• American Association of Christian Counselors
• Iowa Mental Health Counselor’s Association