S. Kyle Cardwell

Therapy is rarely easy, but I’ll walk beside you with honesty and care. I offer a calm, respectful space with a structured, collaborative approach—supportive, clear, and appropriately challenging. We’ll move with compassion and purpose, without pressure. My work is trauma-informed and can include Christian faith integration when desired. You set the pace.

Together we will identify your priorities, set meaningful goals, and build practical skills you can use between sessions. We’ll use evidence-based methods (e.g. CBT, Psychodynamic, TF-CBT, REBT, EMDR) and, when helpful, explore patterns that keep you stuck. We’ll review progress and adjust the plan as you grow—at your pace, with clarity and purpose.

My clients describe me as calm, candid, and practical, with just enough humor to keep therapy from feeling like a root canal. I’m warm but direct, and I’ll help you name patterns clearly, build usable skills, and keep moving toward lasting change.

I specialize in OCD, anxiety, depression, and PTSD/trauma with therapy that is practical and depth-oriented. I support high achievers facing perfectionism, burnout, or chronic self-criticism. I enjoy working with teens and young adults, especially college and graduate students. Christian faith integration is available when desired.

I became a therapist because I’m drawn to the moment when things start to make sense—when patterns become clear, shame loosens its grip, and people realize they’re not broken; they’re human and they can grow.

More about my practice: Secure telehealth in 12+ states and in-person sessions in Ames, IA. My approach is calm, structured, and collaborative—blending practical tools with deeper work. Christian faith integration is available when desired. My dissertation on depression/anxiety in clergy informs my work with pastors and ministry leaders.