Healthcare support and advocacy for LGBTQ Iowans

Members of the LGBTQ community often encounter discrimination when seeking healthcare from providers who are not trained to care for their specific needs. One Iowa provides these resources to empower LGBTQ members to access empathetic healthcare.

One Iowa proudly provides a list of resources for LGBTQ Iowans and allies. Inclusion on our website does not warrant or imply any endorsement, recommendation, or outcome. You must fully vet each resource. If you’re unsure of what provider is a good fit for you, reach out to Program Director Max Mowitz at [email protected]

Inclusive Healthcare Providers

LGBTQ-Specific providers can provide services directly related to the LGBTQ community (gender-affirming services, PreP, and PeP. LGBTQ- Inclusive providers are providers that can see LGBTQ clients but aren’t necessarily trained in LGBTQ- Specific issues.

Unity Point LGBTQ Clinics
LGBTQ Specific Care
Services provided:
-Physical and Wellness Care
-Routine Cancer Screenings
-Health prevention
-HIV/STD/STI testing and counseling
-Management of chronic diseases, including anxiety and depression
-Mental Health Assessment
-Gynecological services
-Trans-affirming gynecological care
-On-site lab
-Provision of PEP (Post-exposure prophylaxis) for a patient at risk for HIV
-Provision of PrEP (Pre-exposure prophylaxis) for a patient at risk for HIV
-Hormone therapy, including education and management
-Pre-surgical and post-surgical care for those having gender-affirming surgery
-Minimally invasive surgery including laparoscopic hysterectomy
-Infertility
-Pharmacist on-site
-Trans-sensitive pap smears, pelvic exams, and prostate exams
-Comprehensive multidisciplinary clinical care for transgender adults.

UnityPoint Clinic LGBTQ – Methodist Plaza
Des Moines
UnityPoint Health desires to meet the specific health care needs of the LGBTQ community in Central Iowa by providing a safe and affirming environment and overcome the stigma and discrimination that persons in the LGBTQ community often face.

UnityPoint Clinic LGBTQ – Prairie Parkway
Cedar Falls
The staff at UnityPoint Clinic – LGBTQ – Prarie Parkway has undergone training through the Safe Zone Project to ensure you receive your care in a welcoming environment with a team who strives to deliver quality affirming care with dignity and sensitivity to all our patients.

UCS Healthcare
LGBTQ Specific and LGBTQ Inclusive Care
Services provided:
-HIV/STD/STI testing and counseling
-Provision of PEP (Post-exposure prophylaxis) for a patient at risk for HIV
-Provision of PrEP (Pre-exposure prophylaxis) for a patient at risk for HIV
-Hormone therapy, including education and management
-Pre-surgical and post-surgical care for those having gender-affirming surgery
-Full medical and wellness care
-Physicals
-Acute illnesses
-Chronic medical problems, such as high blood pressure and diabetes
-Smoking cessation
-Weight management
-Preventive care
-Mental health counseling and treatment
-Outpatient psychiatric services
-Birth control
-Minor skin surgeries and procedures
-Substance Abuse Disorders
-Pre-surgical and post-surgical care for those having gender-affirming surgery
Contact: 515-280-3860

Planned Parenthood
LGBTQ Specific and LGBTQ Inclusive Care
Services provided:
-Drop-in Center
-Education
-Hormone Therapy for Transgender Patients
-Resources
-Service Referrals
-Support Groups
-Other Services for LGBT Patients
-Abortion Referral and Services
-Birth Control
-Emergency Contraception
-General Health Care
-HIV Services
-Pregnancy Testing and Services
-STD Testing and Vaccines
Contact: 1-800-230-7526

Primary Health Care
LGBTQ Specific and LGBTQ Inclusive Care
Services provided:
-Behavioral Health
-Chronic Disease Management
-Immunizations
-Family Planning
-Family Support Services
-Nurse Care Management
-OB/Gyn Services
-Pediatric Care
-Sick Care
-Physicals
-Well Checks
-Exams and X-Rays for Adult and Children
-Dental Restorations
-Emergency Dental Care
-Extraction
-Fluoride Applications
-Periodontal Care
-Prenatal Oral Care
-Preventative Dental Care
-Teeth Cleaning
-Sealants
-Behavioral Health
-Pharmacy
-HIV/AIDS Services
-Veteran Care Services
-Homeless/Houseless Intake and Services
Contact: 515-248-1600

Downtown Dental
LGBTQ Inclusive Dental Care
Services provided:
-Cleanings and Prevention
-Cosmetic Dentistry
-Periodontal Disease
-Restorations
Contact: 515-207-6093

University of Iowa LGBTQ Clinic – Iowa City
The University of Iowa LGBTQ clinic offers dedicated health services in a comfortable, caring environment to the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, gender non-conforming, genderqueer, gender fluid, and anyone who identifies as part of the LGBTQ communities.

Central Iowa VA
Offering medical care, mental health services, and support for LGBTQ veterans, including PreP, hormone replacement therapy, speech therapy, wigs, padded bras, gaffs, binders, packers, STP devices, and more.
LGBTQ Veteran Care Coordinator
Drew O’Leary BSN, RN (he/him/his)
515-418-2440, call or text.
3600 30th St, Des Moines, IA 50310

COVID Recovery Iowa
The State of Iowa has received federal funding from FEMA to offer free virtual counseling and assistance to those affected, in any way, by COVID-19. For more information, check out their website. If you have additional questions contact: Michelle Hatch DeMarie at 515 290-0772.

Iowa Department of Public Health’s Care For Yourself Program
One Iowa partners with the Iowa Department of Public Health to connect eligible LGBTQ Iowans, particularly older queer women and transgender individuals, to their cancer screening program. The Care for Yourself program has local staff that can help you schedule: clinical breast exams, mammograms, pelvic exams, Pap tests, and tests to check your risk for heart disease. Through the program, eligible LGBTQ Iowans can qualify for free or low-cost healthcare services.

LGBTQ Inclusive Individual Providers

Dr. Matthew Abendroth
Family Medicine
515-265-4211

Dr. Amy Bingaman
OB/GYN, Unity Point
515-241-4000

Dr. John Carstensen
Internal Medicine, Unity Point
515-241-8221

Dr. Wendi Harris
Pediatrics, Unity Point
515-241-4300

Dr. Angela Knoblauch
Internal Medicine, Unity Point
515-221-7800

Dr. Richard Robus
Pediatrics, Unity Point
515-241-4300

Dr. Matthew Molin
Primary Care/Family Medicine, Unity Point
515-279-6424

Dr. Kaaren Olesen
D.O., Broadlawns
515-282-2340

Mental Health Care Individual Providers

LGBTQ-Specific providers can provide services directly related to the LGBTQ community (gender dysphoria, coming out, surgery/HRT notes and documentation, etc.) LGBTQ- Inclusive providers are providers that can see LGBTQ clients but aren’t necessarily trained in LGBTQ- Specific issues.

Des Moines

Katie Gregor
LGBTQ-Specific Counseling
Adolescents, Adults, and Group Therapy
EMDR, Family Systems Therapy, DBT, CBT, Play Therapy
Mosaic Family Counseling
[email protected]
515-724-8920

Jeffrey Kramer, LMHC, MA
LGBTQ-Specific Counseling
Individuals and Couples Therapy
Specialization with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
[email protected]
515-689-3071

Lacey Combs LMSW
LGBTQ-Specific Counseling
EMDR, Play Therapy, Substance Abuse, and Survivors of Domestic Violence
EMDR and Beyond
[email protected]
712-577-2140

Samantha Kemp Carlin, LMHC
LGBTQ-Specific Counseling
Adolescent Therapy
LGBTQ+ Issues, Trauma, Dysregulation and Personality Disorders, Co-Occurring Disorders Motivational Enhancement Therapy/Cognitive Behavior Therapy (MET/CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Iowa Homeless Youth Centers Counseling
[email protected]
515-883-2379 ex. 8625

Sharaine Conner, LMSW
LGBTQ-Inclusive Counseling
Adult Therapy
Addition (Gambling, Gaming, Drugs and Alcohol, Sex), Anxiety, Depression, Sexual health and Human sexuality, Attachment issues, Relationship, and Premarital/marital issues
Thriving Families Counseling Services
[email protected]
515-375-1488

Samantha Tratchel, LMSW
LGBTQ-Specific Counseling
Adolescent Therapy
Anxiety, Depression, PTSD, Trauma
Children and Families of Iowa
[email protected]
5150698-7916

Nicole Holmberg, Ph.D
LGBTQ- Specific Therapy
Adult Therapy
Acceptance and commitment therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy skills, Exposure and Response Prevention, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Birchwood Wellness
[email protected]
515-289-1515

West Des Moines/Urbandale

Joby Holcomb
LGBTQ-Specific Therapy
Addiction, Anger Management, Anxiety, Autism, Bipolar Disorder, Codependency, Coping Skills, Depression, Divorce, Dual Diagnosis, HRT and Surgery Assessment and Preparation, Infidelity, Intersex, Non-binary, Gender Dysphoria, Marital and Premarital, Obsessive-Compulsive (OCD), Oppositional Defiance, Self Esteem, Self-Harming, Sexual Abuse, Substance Use, Suicidal Ideation, Transgender, Trauma, and PTSD
515-680-8054

Mandy Harris, LISW
LGBTQ-Inclusive Therapy
Children (Ages 12 +) and Adults
Trauma/Complex Trauma, Grief/Loss, Attachment, Sexual identity, Gender identity, Depression, Anxiety, Life Adjustment issues
Compass Clinical Associates
[email protected]
515-412-5112

Joe Nixon, LISW
LGBTQ-Specific Therapy
Ages 8+ and Families
LGBT+ related stress, LGBT+ relationships (extra), mood disorders, anxiety-related disorders, trauma/PTSD, and attachment disorders.
Stepping Stone Family Services
[email protected]
515-276-6338

Madison Musson, LMFT
LGBTQ-Specific Therapy
All ages
EMDR, Art Therapy, Loss & grief, trauma, gender & sexual diversity (including LGBTQIA+ and ethical non-monogamy/polyamory), children and adolescents, spirituality, and anxiety
Creatively Thriving, LLC
[email protected]
515-225-7124

Amy Pals, LMHC
LGBTQ-Specific Therapy
Trauma and PTSD, Oppositional Defiance
[email protected]
515-518-0412

Shelly Clymer, Ph.D., LMFT LGBTQ- Inclusive Therapy
Couples and Family Therapy
life adjustments and transitions, confidence and self, grief, parenting, sexuality, anxiety and depression
[email protected]
515-402-1101

Kelsey Finch, LMHC-T
LGBTQ-Specific Therapy
Couples, families, adolescents, and adults
EMDR
New Beginnings Counseling Service
(515) 401-6886

Bennet Zielinkski, LMHC-T
LGBTQ-Specific Therapy
Child or Adolescent and Adult
Transgender, Trauma and PTSD, Play Therapy
New Beginnings Counseling Service
[email protected]
515-557-2250

Susin Bredice, LISW
LGBTQ- Inclusive Therapy
Individual, Family, Couples Counseling, all ages
EMDR, PMIC and residential care, child welfare, attachment, foster care, and adoption, couples counseling
New Beginnings Counseling Service
515-401-6886

Megan Runchey, LMSW
LGBTQ- Inclusive Therapy
Teens and Adults, Individual and Couples Counseling
Intellectual disabilities, chronic mental illnesses, anxiety, depression, trauma, life changes/stressors, and adults with intellectual or cognitive delays
New Beginnings Counseling Service
[email protected]
515-401-8668

Douglas Aupperle, Ph.D
LGBTQ-Specific Therapy
Children and Adolescents
Anxiety, attention disorders, Bowen Family Systems therapy, child sexual abuse, E.M.D.R. (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing), working with LGBT youth and parents, stress and coping in children, and trauma
Des Moines Pastoral Counseling Center
[email protected]
515-274-4006

Ankeny

Hilary Johnson, LMHC
LGBTQ-Specific Therapy
Children and Families
EMDR, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Play Therapy, Sand Tray Therapy, trauma, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, behavioral concerns, attachment issues, and those who have dealt with the child welfare system, foster care, and adoption
Clear Brook Counseling Professionals
515-275-5576

Tricia Yavitz
LGBTQ- Specific Therapy
Adults, Couples, and Families
Depression, anxiety, sexuality and identity issues, grief counseling, first responder issues, stress management, addiction and recovery, conflict resolution, gender identity.
TRY Therapy
[email protected]
515-669-2650

Psychiatry Services

Geoffrey Hills, D.O.
LGBTQ- Specific Care
Depression, bipolar, anxiety, attention disorders, thought disorders.
Des Moines Pastoral Counseling Center
[email protected]
515-274-4006

Iowa Safe Schools
Support and resources for LGBTQ Youth and Families

UCS Healthcare
Transgender Adult and Youth Support Groups
Monday and Thursday evenings -virtual
[email protected]

Capital City Pride
Year-Round LGBTQ Events and Annual Pride Festival

PFLAG Des Moines
Resources for Parents and Families of LGBTQ Individuals

Queer Art Healing Group
Art Group for LGBTQ Individuals
1st and 3rd Tuesdays, monthly
[email protected]

National Resources

Human Rights Campaign – LGBTQ Patient Resources
Human Rights Campaign (HRC) provides resources for LGBTQ patients to help navigate topics such as the affordable care act, healthcare discrimination, and guidance for trans patients.