Counseling Staff

Ankeny Campus

Schedule appointment with the first available Ankeny Counselor

Sheila Aukes, M.S.W., LISW

515-964-6294

Building 1

Education/certifications: Master of Social Work, University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).

Clinical experience & special skills: Treatment of depression and anxiety, family and relationship conflict, parenting, self-esteem, grief & loss issues and time management. Certified to administer career and personality assessments.

Communities: Veterans, adoptive and blended families.

George Clark, M.A., LMHC

515-964-6268

gaclark5@dmacc.edu

Building 1

Education/certifications: Master of Arts in School Counseling, University of Northern Iowa, Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)

Clinical experience & special skills: Stress/Time management, Diversity, Loneliness, Relationships/Authenticity, Anxiety, Spiritual health; Bystander Intervention (Sexual Assault), Upward Bound (Pre-college program)

Communities: First-generation college students, students with disabilities, LGBTQ

Mary McClure, M.S., LMSW

515-964-6436

mmmcclure@dmacc.edu

Building 1

Education/certifications: Master of Science in Human Development and Family Studies, Iowa State University, Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), and Mental Health First Aid instructor.

Clinical experience & special skills: Treatment of depression and anxiety, family and relationship conflict, parenting, self-esteem, managing transitions.

Communities: Custody, co-parenting, and learning disabilities.

Landi Smith, M.S.W., LISW

515-964-6442

lasmith19@dmacc.edu

Building 1

Education/certifications: Master of Social Work, Arizona State University, Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW); Lifeforce Yoga Practitioner, Level I; Mental Health First Aid Instructor.

Clinical experience & special skills: Depression, trauma, relationships, self-esteem, boundaries, life transitions including college, pregnancy, birth, and migration/immigration, grief and loss, intercultural challenges. Proficient in oral and written Spanish. Holistic practices for positive mental health.

Communities: New parents, international and ELL students, refugees, LGBTQ+.

Thomas Tweedy, M.Ed.

515-964-6846

tntweedy@dmacc.edu

Building 1

Education/certifications: Master of Education, School Counseling, Abilene Christian University.

Clinical experience & special skills: Anxiety & Stress Management, Procrastination & Time Management, Career Counseling/Coaching, Career Development testing, and Myers-Briggs Personality Type Inventory.

Communities: Major/Career undecided students

Michelle Vaccaro, M.S.Ed.

515-965-7153

mmvaccaro@dmacc.edu

Building 1

Education/certifications: Master of Education, School Counseling, College of St. Rose, Albany NY; National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC).

Clinical experience & special skills: Relationship issues, developmental crises, depression, anxiety, stress, low self-esteem, and career indecision. Proficient in American Sign Language, career and personality assessments.

Communities: ESL, International, and Deaf/hard-of-hearing.

Boone Campus

https://www.dmacc.edu/counseling/PublishingImages/Burhenn.jpg

Rebekah Burhenn, MSW

515-635-1210

rdburhenn@dmacc.edu

Boone & Ames Hunziker Center

Education/certifications: Master of Social Work- Specialization in Trauma-Informed Care, University of Northern Iowa; Certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), and Certified in the Simmons School of Social Work Domestic Violence Training.

Clinical experience & special skills: Treatment of acute and complex trauma, depression, anxiety, relationship/family conflict, stress management, grief and loss, self-esteem, and intercultural conflict.

Communities: At-risk youth and young adults.

Rita Davenport

515-433-5030

rldavenport@dmacc.edu

Education/certifications: Master of Science in Education, Counselor Education (Higher Education), University of Wisconsin-Platteville, WI. Post-graduate studies: Intercultural Communication Institute, Oregon. Certified to administer career and personality assessments.

Clinical skills/experience: Career counseling and guidance, student success, time management, stress reduction, culturally-competent counseling, ELL/ESOL/ESL placement counseling, International Student counseling.

Communities: International students, families of those with mental illness.

Carroll Campus

Kristina Whitver-Soyer

712-792-8335

kmwhitversoyer@dmacc.edu

Newton Campus

Kara Dirksen

641-791-1747

kbdirksen@dmacc.edu

Urban/Des Moines Campus

Dale Chell

515-697-7727

dchell@dmacc.edu

Schedule and Appointment with Dale

Diane Eischeid

mailto:dmeischeid@dmacc.edu

Education/certifications: Master of Science, Counseling, Creighton University, Omaha NE; Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), Mental Health First Aid.

Clinical experience & special skills: Trauma-related issues, sexual assault, domestic violence, relationship issues, grief & loss issues, depression and anxiety. Certified in EMDR.

Communities: Adult Learners, at- risk students.

Pamela Parker

515-697-7791

pjparker@dmacc.edu

Schedule and Appointment with Pamela

Education/certifications: Master of Counseling Trinity Bible College and Seminary, University of Northern Iowa, Mental Health First Aid Trainer.

Clinical experience & special skills: Dissociative identity disorder, Depression/Anxiety, Grief /Mourning, Substance Abuse.

Communities: Life Coaching and Motivational Speaking

West Des Moines Campus

Lindsey Hays

515-633-2431

lehays@dmacc.edu

Room 214W

Education/certifications: Master of Science in Counseling with an emphasis in Vocational Rehabilitation, Drake University; Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Trainer for MVP Bystander Intervention.

Clinical experience & special skills: Treatment of depression and anxiety, family and relationship conflict, victims of sexual violence, stress management, parenting, self-esteem, managing transitions, time management, mindfulness, & study skills.

Communities: Adult learners, learning disabilities.