Biography
Deb Gipple is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and has been in private practice in the areas of child/adolescent therapy for over 30 years. She earned a Master’s Degree in child counseling from the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) and a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary/Special Education from UNI. Deb taught emotionally disturbed/behaviorally disordered children for eight years in the Des Moines Public Schools and has worked as a Guidance Counselor in both public and Christian school settings. Additionally, she taught 2nd/3rd grades in a missionary school in Taichung, Taiwan. Her thesis in the area of childhood stress was published in the Iowa Journal of Counseling.
Deb utilizes various therapeutic treatment approaches in working with children and teens, being mindful of the necessity to match developmental needs with appropriate treatment modalities. Her teaching background has enabled her to be particularly effective in understanding and working with school personnel on behalf of her clients when necessary. She has completed the Pediatric Behavior Therapy Training Institute (BTTI) with the International OCD Foundation. Additionally, she is trained in the use of EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing).
Clinical Areas of Focus include:
- Anxiety and Mood Disorders
- ADHD (Children and Teens)
- Adjustment Disorders
- Oppositional Defiant Disorder
- Physical/Sexual Abuse
- Loss/Grief
- Divorce Recovery
- Blended Family Concerns
- Obsessive/Compulsive Disorder
- Childhood Behavior Issues
- Family/Parent and Child Issues
- PANDAS/PANS (Children/Teens)
- Trauma (Children/Teens)
Therapist’s Statement
I enjoy opportunities to get into the community by speaking to various groups, churches, hospitals, and private companies addressing various parenting concerns. Living in sync with my spiritual beliefs is incredibly important to me, as is being a wife to my terrific husband, ‘mom’ to my three grown sons and two daughters-in-law, and ‘Gigi’ to my three precious grandchildren. When I’m not in the office, I enjoy reading, cooking, music, being outdoors (especially camping!), traveling of any kind, and spending time with family and friends. I can get quite revved up by discussions about political/social issues as well as a wild game of dodge ball or teaching a small group Bible study with the teens in my church.
One of my several passions in life is advocating for children/teens. I agree with the words of Frederick Douglass who said, “It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.” I believe that children cannot live or grow in a vacuum. Therefore, my desire is to equip those who are significant in a child’s life with the knowledge/skills necessary to help children/teens apply what they learn in therapy to their daily lives. I would consider it a privilege to work with you and your child/teen should you choose me as your therapist.
MEMBERSHIPS
- International OCD Foundation (IOCDF)
- American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC)
- Iowa Mental Health Counselors Association (IMHCA)
- Neuroimmune Foundation Member
