West Des Moines Therapy Staff
Heidi Vermeer-Quist, PsyD,
Clinical Director and Lead Clinician
Dr. Heidi Vermeer-Quist is a licensed clinical psychologist with over 20 years of clinical, teaching and consulting experience. One of her core passions is to serve the Christian church with best practices of psychology.
Heidi earned her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Wheaton College in 2002 and helped establish and build the Pine Rest Des Moines Clinic, serving thousands of patients in Central Iowa for 16 years. Heidi and her husband, Chad Quist, transitioned the Pine Rest Des Moines Clinic to Heartland Christian Counseling in 2018. She has provided psychological assessment and psychotherapy to people struggling with depression, anxiety, relational conflicts, trauma recovery, unresolved grief and adjustment, and personality disorders. In addition to her clinical training, Heidi also has obtained specialized training and extensive experience in Organizational Psychology and Family Business Governance. She has served Vermeer Corporation in various family governance roles, including serving on the Board of Directors. She continues to provide clinical services through Heartland Christian Counseling, as well as, family business and organizational consulting services through www.vqconsult.com. Heidi currently serves on the Iowa Board of Professional Psychology.
Heidi recently released the first two books of a three-book personal growth series called Gardening Your Life. The first book, Grounding, and the second book, Grieving, are workbooks (ideal for small groups) that integrate the best practices of the field of psychology with solid Christian teaching.
Personally, Heidi enjoys singing, raising their three amazing kids with Chad, and participating in the joy of each God given moment (though she is still learning how to do this!).
Amy Deace, T-LMHC
Amy is a temporary Licensed Mental Health Counselor. She has a masters degree in Biblical Counseling from Luther Rice Seminary and a masters degree in Clinical Mental Health from Liberty University. She counseled through the church for many years before coming to Heartland in late 2020.
Her passion is in marital counseling, specifically with emphasis on sexual issues and also with counseling women with anxiety and depression. She is working on certifications with Gottman and is trained in EMDR.
She is also a CSAT-Candidate and can see those seeking help for sexual addiction (and their partners).
Amy lives outside of Des Moines with her husband and three children.
Amy Elliott, LISW
Amy is a Licensed Independent Social Worker. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Simpson College and her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Iowa School of Social Work.
Prior to joining Heartland, her work included residential treatment, outpatient therapy, school-based therapy, school social work, crisis pregnancy support, and youth ministry. Amy has experience providing services for children, teenagers, and adults with a variety of concerns. She uses an integrated therapeutic approach and her areas of clinical interest include anxiety, depression, emotional regulation, trauma, grief and loss, and difficult life changes/transitions.
Amy has experienced God’s grace and hope throughout her own journey, and she considers it an honor to walk alongside others on their paths of growth, healing, and wholeness.
Amy enjoys reading, music, traveling, and spending quality time with her family and friends (especially in the mountains, on a walk, at a new restaurant, or over a cup of coffee).
Barbara J. Graham, LISW
Barbara is a Licensed Independent Social Worker and has been in practice for over 35 years. She received her bachelor’s degree from ISU and her master’s degree from University of Iowa School of Social Work.
Her passion is to help people find healing from trauma, chronic pain, suffering and grow in God’s healing presence in their lives. She uses an integrative approach to trauma using body, mind, emotions and spiritual healing. She has been trained to use EMDR, body-sensory awareness, emotional regulation, IFS, application of relaxation skills, guided imagery, nutritional connections to mental health and identity-relational tools to help people heal.
She has been married for 31 yrs. to Gordon and they have four adult children and one grandson. She enjoys, music, theatre, reading, canning, soap making, bike riding and camping. She and her husband live on a 50-acre natural farm with chickens, cows, goats, honeybees, fruit trees and a raspberry patch.
She tries to live simply, lovingly, with great laughter and zeal for an adventurous life with the Lord.
Avery Harshman, LMFT
Avery is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Iowa and her Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy from Bethel Seminary.
Prior to joining Heartland, her previous work includes working in a variety of different therapeutic environments, including outpatient mental health in substance abuse recovery programs, schools and therapy clinics. She has provided individual, couples and group therapy.
She is thankful for the sure foundation she has in Jesus Christ and for the hope He gives those in need. Avery desires to create a safe environment and work and walk alongside all who enter her office in the messy and beautiful seasons of life. She uses an integrated approach to therapy. Her areas of clinical interest include teen issues, grief and loss, depression, anxiety, relationship conflict, adjustment disorders, peer struggles and spiritual issues. Avery works with teenagers and adults of all ages.
Avery spends her time at home with her husband, son and cat. She enjoys time with loved ones, watching her favorite shows/movies, playing music, frequenting local ice cream shops and traveling.
Steve Lahey, T-LMHC
Steve is a mental health counselor. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Religion and Ministry from Luther Rice University, and his Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
Prior to working at Heartland, he worked as a youth pastor for eight years, and worked with teens a total of ten years. In his time there, he counseled teens facing depression, addiction, anxiety, stress, and other mental health illnesses. He also got the opportunity to counsel parents and other adults during the eight years on staff.
Steve is passionate about working alongside teens and adults to help them heal, restore, and work through past and current hurts, traumas, and mental health illnesses so they can connect, have a sense of hope and peace, and attain self-worth. He also has a desire to guide people in establishing healthy tools to thrive and be confident in who God made them to be.
Steve is a husband and father of 5. He enjoys reading, teaching, learning new things, kick boxing, dirt bike riding, exploring new adventures with his wife and kids as well as learning each day who God is.
Diana Ortiz, LISW, MSW
Brian Rundle, T-LMFT
Brian Rundle is a Marriage and Family Therapist. He earned a Bachelor of Psychology from the University of Northern Iowa in 2018. He then earned a Masters of Marriage and Family Therapy from Bethel Seminary in 2021. Brian has experience in several different settings within the mental health field which include residential services for teens, intensive outpatient groups for adolescents, and employment services for individuals with mental disabilities. He enjoys working with individuals, families, and couples who are facing the various challenges of life. Some of the common challenges Brian has worked with clients on are anxiety, depression, relationship conflict, marriage conflict, trauma, and coping with unexpected life changes.
Claire Vander Kooi, LMSW
Claire is a Master Social Worker with a temporary license. She received her Bachelor of Social Work degree and Master of Social Work degree at Dordt University. Prior to joining Heartland, she has served in a school setting and a domestic violence crisis center. Some of her areas of clinical interest include anxiety, depression, trauma, attachment, identity, grief and loss, and domestic and sexual violence. Claire primarily sees children and teenagers but also sees adults of various ages. Claire desires to meet people where they are at and walk with them through their hardships. She seeks to create a safe environment to equip people with new skills and tools to promote lasting change. She believes that the Lord is the ultimate comforter, counselor, and healer and she is thankful for that assurance and hope. Outside of work, Claire enjoys spending time with her husband and her two dogs. She enjoys reading and watching movies and can often be found at coffee shops with friends and family.
Hilary Sheeks, T-LMHC
Hilary is a Mental Health Therapist with a temporary license. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Iowa State University in Child and Family Services and her Master of Science from Drake University in Mental Health Counseling.
Before coming to Heartland, she worked in ministry for 20 years including Children’s ministry. Hilary has experience doing therapy in high school settings as well as middle schools and elementary. She has led counseling groups as well as worked with individuals of all ages, and their families. Her clinical, experiential, and academic knowledge of counseling has helped to meet the needs of a variety of clients.
Hilary’s faith in a loving and personal God helps her to express His compassion and truth to her clients in whatever they may be facing. Along with the hope and peace He provides, Hilary can share the tools to help Clients through anxiety, depression, grief, anger, conflict, eating disorders, divorce, panic disorder, boundary issues, low self-esteem, adjustment disorder and selective mutism.
Hilary enjoys spending time with family including her husband and their four children. She loves when she gets to watch her son play sports and her daughters’ dance. She also enjoys spending time with friends, running, reading, and relaxing.
Rachel Street - LMSW
Rachel is a Licensed Master Social Worker. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work from Cedarville University and her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Iowa.
Prior to joining Heartland, she has worked in foster care, adoption, and school settings. She uses an integrated approach to therapy and is trained in TBRI, as well as TF-CBT. Rachel has worked with children, individuals, and families on a variety of issues. Her areas of clinical interests include depression, anxiety, grief and loss, trauma, and spiritual issues. Rachel works with children, adolescents, and adults of all ages. She desires to walk with anyone struggling and point them to the love and hope found in Jesus Christ.
Rachel loves spending time with her bible study and serving in her church. She enjoys all things outdoors, such as hiking, sand volleyball, and paddle boarding. She loves hanging out with friends, especially over a cup of coffee.
West Des Moines Administrative Staff
Jennifer Faux - Support Staff
Jennifer has been in the medical profession since 2004. Prior to joining the Heartland Team she worked for 3 years at a community mental health facility.
She assists clinicians with general day to day office tasks and scheduling.
She enjoys doing arts and crafts and game nights with her nieces and nephews.
She also enjoys spending the weekends with her grandchildren.
Mackenzie Peterson, Support Staff
Mackenzie has worked in the mental health field for nine years. Before joining Heartland, she worked at Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services providing psychiatry support to their prescribers. With Heartland, one of her biggest roles is providing support to the clinical staff. She is also in charge of insurance credentialing, website updates and many other day to day clinic functions. She enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter and two cats. She also enjoys crafts, music and playing games.
Chad Quist PA-C, MBA
Chad A. Quist is a Licensed Physician Assistant with over twelve years of clinical experience in the fields of Urgent Care, Occupational Medicine, Psychiatry, and most recently Neurology. He actively works on team integration, communication, and healthy system dynamics. After obtaining his MBA, Chad has incorporated his skills within the fields of healthcare and business by serving numerous organizations and boards.
As the Director of Operations, he is proud to provide business management support to the Heartland Team.
Chad enjoys family time with his spouse and three children, church, the outdoors, and college football.