As a Clinical Psychologist and the Chief Clinical Officer of Central Iowa Family Institute my goal is to help you and your whole family find peace, connection, and joy in your daily life. I’ve been practicing in Iowa since 1996 and have worked with children, teenagers, families, and adults from all walks of life who are living with emotional, behavioral, and mental health challenges.

I love my work and experience tremendous joy providing psychological testing to children, teens, and adults, helping them discover the roots of the challenges they have faced while identifying their strengths and areas for growth and ways to overcome and/or manage daily struggles so people can live the life they want. During my feedback sessions clients often express how grateful they are to finally understand what has caused their struggles and to have tools and resources to help them move forward in life.

Similarly, in therapy I often use an approach called Acceptance and Commitment Therapy or ACT to help children, teenagers, and adults change their relationship with their thoughts, feelings, and memories so they can achieve life goals and live a rich and meaningful life consistent with their values and “how they want to be”. While we cannot change how other people behave and we may not always be able to change the circumstances that life presents us with, we can always live “how we want to be” as a son or daughter, a sibling, a parent, a friend, a life partner, an employee, a supervisor, and in any other role of our life.

My other true love in this work is providing training and supervision to graduate students, interns, and psychology residents. I have trained graduate students in psychotherapy and psychological testing for over 25 years and have watched these bright, motivated, and passionate individuals go on to work in a wide variety of roles at private practices, educational institutions, VA’s, medical centers, and many other settings. Several of these students have become leaders in their organizations and in Iowa and I am proud to have been at least a small part of their journey.

I am also a Teaching Professor in the Department of Psychology at Iowa State University where I have taught numerous courses to undergraduates and graduate Psychology students since 1996. The courses I most frequently teach include Lifespan Developmental Psychology at the undergraduate level and Cognitive and Personality testing at the graduate level. In my teaching career I have had the honor of both teaching and learning from some of the brightest young minds in our state.

Education

I received my B.A. in Psychology from the University of Maryland in College Park, MD in 1989 and then moved to Chicago to attend the University of Illinois at Chicago where I received my M.A. and Ph.D. in Clinical and Developmental Psychology. Beyond my formal education, I have learned some of the most important lessons in my life from my clients, my students, my colleagues, my children, and my wife.

Family Life

I live in Central Iowa with my amazingly wise and gifted wife and our three very loving and silly dogs and two cuddly cats. It’s never a dull moment at our house! I have two adult children, a son and step daughter, who I dearly love and look forward to each moment together. My family has truly been the light of my life, especially during the darkest moments.

What’s Next?

Well, you’ve heard about me now:-) The values, goals, and joys that I experience by working with individuals and families and through training graduate students to become tomorrow’s leaders are values shared by the Central Iowa Family Institute.
If the services we offer and the values we hold seem like a good fit for you and/or your family, then please give us a call and let our Psychologists and counselors collaborate with you to “Do What Matters”.

Ashley Tomford is a Provisionally Licensed Clinical Psychologist at Central Iowa Family Institute, dedicated to helping individuals and families navigate emotional, behavioral, and mental health challenges. She recently completed her doctorate in Clinical Psychology and brings several years of experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and older adults from diverse backgrounds. Ashley has particular expertise in supporting individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and those managing complex medical histories.

In addition to therapy, Ashley enjoys conducting psychological assessments for individuals of all ages, helping them gain a clearer understanding of themselves and identify areas for personal growth and positive change. She finds feedback sessions particularly rewarding, as clients often express appreciation for the newfound clarity and tools that these sessions provide.

Ashley’s therapeutic approach is rooted in trust, respect, openness, and collaboration, with a touch of humor. She employs a range of evidence-based techniques, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotion-Focused Therapy, client-centered methods, and trauma-informed practices. Ashley also believes in challenging her clients when appropriate, encouraging personal growth and new self-discovery along the way.

Ashley received her B.A. in Psychology from Winona State University in 2014. She then worked as an Applied Behavior Analyst at an Autism Center, where she gained valuable skills that shaped her path toward clinical psychology. She later earned her PsyD in Clinical Psychology from Augsburg University. Her training includes five year-long clinical placements, which provided her with extensive experience in psychological assessment and therapy, as well as opportunities for personal reflection and growth.

Ashley lives in West Des Moines with her boyfriend and their new puppy. They enjoy exploring new parts of the city, going for walks, and visiting family in Minnesota, who play an essential role in their lives.

Amy believes in the power of empathy and strives to be a listening ear for her clients. The client’s values are at the forefront of the work that she does. Amy is open to learning and collaborating with her clients, as she understands that each person is a constant work in progress. Amy vows to challenge each client with compassion and care. She conducts experiential therapy and includes attachment theory in her work. It is an honor for her to be a part of vulnerable and healing moments with her clients. Amy creates an inviting and comfortable space to share in. She is excited to partner with her clients in achieving fulfilling therapy. Amy’s clinical interests are a wide range, from marital dissatisfaction to autism spectrum disorder to trauma, she is open to exploring whatever the client brings to the room.
Amy graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Family Studies from the University of St. Thomas in January 2022. Amy completed her Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy at Mount Mercy University in August of 2024.
In her free time, Amy can be found hanging out with friends, talking about dogs, traveling, and catching up on her favorite TV shows.

Amanda Bocock received a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy from Mt. Mercy University in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in 2012. With specialized training as a marriage and family therapist, Amanda is uniquely qualified to treat family systems and couples. Additionally, she has experience working with various individuals and groups, including outpatient substance abuse treatment.

Whether someone is experiencing a significant life change, struggling with past trauma, seeking to improve self-esteem, or aiming to reach personal goals, therapy can be beneficial. Amanda’s goal is to provide a safe, non-judgmental environment for all individuals, families, and couples. By creating a warm, collaborative space, she helps clients rediscover joy and connection, manage anxiety and depression, and navigate grief or trauma.

Amanda employs cognitive behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy, structural family therapy, and Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy, supporting mindful, solution-focused interventions. Therapy is a collaborative process intended to empower individuals to improve their lives and implement change. Amanda looks forward to the privilege of joining clients on their path to growth.

Every person faces challenges throughout life, and Shannon invites you to journey together. Everyone needs a safe place to express emotions and navigate life’s hurdles. Shannon focuses on offering a warm, safe, nurturing environment to facilitate a respectful, nonintrusive, and nonjudgmental relationship where clients can be themselves. Her approach is client-centered, utilizing methods such as CBT, mindfulness, attachment theory, and expressive arts. She emphasizes understanding each client’s story, values, and goals, helping them utilize their strengths and abilities to become more self-aware and self-compassionate, thereby improving their quality of life. Shannon genuinely respects each client as an individual and believes that every person is valuable.

Primarily working with adults dealing with grief/loss or relationship issues, Shannon also focuses on couples and families. She is one of the few certified Discernment Counselors in the Des Moines area, aiming to help couples contemplating or facing divorce to find clarity and determine a way forward.

Counseling with Shannon is about discovery and change, working in partnership with clients. She finds all issues interesting and worthwhile, and there is a mutual learning experience between counselor and client. The goal is to untangle whatever challenges are faced and move towards a brighter future together.