Frequently Asked Questions

We help patients with many different mental health concerns, but some of the most common symptoms and diagnoses include:

• Anxiety
• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD/ADD)
• Bipolar Disorder
• Depression
• Eating Disorders
• Insomnia
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Our medical providers have gone through extensive training in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of both mental and physical illnesses.  Laura and Caitlin are both certified by the NCCPA and licensed to practice medicine in the state of Iowa.

Our focus is on medication management for mental health. Because our providers have training and experience in general medicine, we always take your other medical conditions and prescriptions into consideration. We value a holistic approach to medicine and understand how mental health and physical health can influence one another.

We are currently accepting new patients age 18 and older. 

Our clinic does not require a referral, however you may want to check with your insurance to see if they require one.

You can refer to our Insurance Information page for a list of health insurance plans that typically consider Focused Life Clinic in-network. We recommend calling your insurance company to verify that the provider you are scheduled to see is in-network. Please also verify that you have active benefits that cover mental health. We also offer self-pay for those without insurance or those who do not wish to use their insurance.

Please complete the New Patient Appointment Request form or call the clinic at 515-227-6065. Please have your insurance information ready and a credit card to hold the appointment.

If you have been seen at Focused Life Clinic before, you can also self-schedule or request an appointment through our secure Patient Portal.

Please bring your current insurance card, ID card, and a form of payment (debit card, credit card, FSA, HSA, cash, or check) to every visit.

Please bring a list of your medications and their dosages, or even the medication bottles themselves. If you have been on other medications for mental health in the past, it is helpful to write a list of when you took them and why they were stopped. 

Part of your initial visit involves questions about not only your mental and physical health history, but also family history. It can be particularly helpful to find out before your appointment if there is any family history of depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, ADHD, OCD, schizophrenia, alcohol or drug use.

Feel free to write down any questions you have and bring them to your visit. Also consider what you are hoping to accomplish at your visit and your goals for treatment. We are here to help! 

Our address is 1441 29th Street, Suite 211, West Des Moines, Iowa 50266

We are located just north of I-235 off of Westown Pkwy near Valley West Mall. The building can be accessed by turning onto either 29th St or 30th St.

Enter the front doors of the building (facing the street) and take the elevator or stairs to the 2nd floor. Turn down the hall to the left and Focused Life Clinic is the first suite on the left.

After your initial in-person visit, follow-up appointments can be either in-person or virtual. A virtual visit is a face-to-face video appointment with your mental health provider. 

We use doxy.me, a web-based, HIPAA-compliant program. You do not need to download any software or create an account for your visit.

Your mental health records are confidential and we cannot disclose your private health information without your written consent. Please use our secure Patient Portal for messages about your health or medications. Please do not communicate confidential information using email or social media. 

Take notice of your mood, symptoms, and overall functioning so that we can discuss and make treatment decisions at your follow up appointment. We kindly ask that you give at least 24 hour notice if you need to reschedule your appointment. 

If you were prescribed medication, please take it as directed by your provider. If your medication is supposed to be taken daily, try to take it around the same time every day. Set an alarm or use a pill organizer if necessary. Please notify us if your medication costs more than expected, or if you have unexpected or bothersome side effects.

If you are needing to speak with a provider urgently, please call 515-227-6065. Otherwise you can message your provider though our secure Patient Portal.