Healing, one step at a time

Anxiety, depression, and painful experiences can sometimes leave us feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or unsure of where to go next. You may feel tired from carrying so much for so long, or simply wish you had a place where you could slow down, breathe, and make sense of what you’re experiencing.

How I Can Help

Therapy for teens and adults dealing with anxiety, depression, and trauma, plus immigration evaluations, in English and Spanish.

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Anxiety Therapy

Worry, stress, and racing thoughts can make everyday life feel hard. Together, we'll find what's driving your anxiety and build tools that help you feel calmer and more in control.

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Depression Therapy

Depression can drain your energy and make it hard to enjoy things you used to love. We'll work together to understand what you're carrying and take small, steady steps toward feeling like yourself again.

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Trauma Therapy

Past experiences can stay with us and affect how we feel today. As a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, I offer trauma-informed care that moves at your pace and builds on your strengths.

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Immigration Evaluations

I complete evaluations for immigration cases in English and Spanish, including asylum cases, extreme hardship waivers, U-Visa, T-Visa, and VAWA cases.

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Therapy in Spanish

Terapia en español. I offer therapy in both English and Spanish, so you can talk about what matters most in the language that feels most natural to you.

Janet Pedroza-Ramos

Meet Janet Pedroza-Ramos

Hi, I’m Janet Pedroza-Ramos, a Licensed Independent Social Worker and the founder of Healing Steps Therapy. I believe that therapy is not about changing who you are or telling you how you should live your life. It’s about having a safe place to slow down, understand what you’re experiencing, reconnect with yourself, and find the tools and support you need to move forward.

My approach to therapy is warm, collaborative, strengths-based, and trauma-informed. I believe you are the expert on your own life, and my role is to walk alongside you—not judge you or tell you what you should do. Together, we can explore the things that may be getting in the way of feeling more like yourself and work toward meaningful changes at a pace that feels right for you.

I have experience working with individuals and families experiencing anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, life transitions, and other emotional challenges. I also have a special interest in supporting Spanish-speaking individuals, immigrant communities, and people who may not always feel seen or understood in traditional mental health settings. I provide therapy in both English and Spanish.

As a social worker, I look at the whole person—not just a diagnosis or a single problem. Our mental health can be affected by our relationships, family, culture, environment, experiences, responsibilities, and the things we have had to carry throughout our lives. Because of this, I use a combination of approaches and practical tools, including strengths-based and trauma-informed therapy, cognitive behavioral strategies, emotional regulation, mindfulness, and movement-based approaches.

I also believe healing doesn't always happen by simply talking about what hurts. Sometimes we need to reconnect with our bodies, our surroundings, our strengths, and the parts of ourselves that may have gotten lost along the way. This is one of the reasons I incorporate movement and other experiential approaches when they are helpful for the person I am working with.

Most importantly, I want you to feel heard, respected, and safe enough to be yourself.

You don't have to have everything figured out before you come to therapy. You don't have to know exactly what to say. And you don't have to go through difficult seasons alone.

Sometimes healing begins with simply taking a deep breath and the first step.

That is what Healing Steps Therapy is about—creating a space where you can take a step, one at a time. Welcome, I’m happy to see you.

Credentials

  • • LISW, Licensed Independent Social Worker (Iowa), (New Jersey)
  • • MSW, University of Illinois Chicago (2017)
  • • BSW, Buena Vista University, Storm Lake, Iowa (2010)
  • • CCTP, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional

Therapy That Meets You Where You Are

My Approach

Being human is complicated and hard, and we can all use support. My work is grounded in compassion and empathy, because every person's journey is different.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

We explore how your thoughts, feelings, and actions connect, and find tools that help you feel better.

Strengths-Based Care

Together we identify your strengths and the tools that come naturally to you.

Trauma-Informed Care

We go at your pace, with care for how past experiences affect you today.

Learning and Practice

You'll learn about how your mind and body respond, and try exercises in session that you can keep using on your own.

Mission statement

NEED ASSISTANCE ?

Commonly asked questions

I work with teens and adults, ages 12 and up, in individual therapy. Many of the people I see are dealing with anxiety, depression, or the effects of trauma.

Ready to take the next step?

Therapy for anxiety, depression, and trauma, in English and Spanish, for teens and adults: by telehealth in Iowa, New Jersey and Colorado, and in person in West Des Moines, Iowa.

CONTACT US

Let's Talk

Whether you have a question about therapy or an immigration evaluation, I'm here to help you take the next step. Send a message and I'll be in touch.

jpedroza@healingstepstherapy.net

(712) 827-0035

Telehealth in Iowa, New Jersey and Colorado · In person in West Des Moines, Iowa

Get in Touch

Healing Steps Therapy

Let's Talk

Healing Steps Therapy offers therapy for teens and adults dealing with anxiety, depression, and trauma, in English and Spanish, plus immigration evaluations.

jpedroza@healingstepstherapy.net

(712) 827-0035

Telehealth in Iowa, New Jersey and Colorado · In person in West Des Moines, Iowa