Meet our Counseling Staff
The New Life staff meets both clients and groups, and holds classes and seminars, at our Ankeny and West Des Moines, Iowa locations. We are also available to bring our seminars or classes to your group or organization. We invite you to contact us for details and availability of schedules and topics.
Meet Dr. Gilbert, Ms. Stephanie Blanchard:
Dr. Don Gilbert, M.S., L.M.H.C.
I began my career as a pastor in the Wesleyan Church. In 1989, I returned to school and received a degree in Mental Health Counseling from Drake University. I had the fortune to counsel under the tutelage of Dr. Gary Rosberg, nationally known author, speaker and founder of Crosstrainers Ministries.
A journey of self-discovery and my passion to serve resulted in my returning to school, once again. I received a Doctorate of Philosophy in Mental Health Counseling and Religious Studies. It was during this time that I discovered a gift of working with couples on building and strengthening their intimate relationships. This passion of working on couple growth resulted in the birth of my inter- and intra- personal communication program. This opened the door to consult for the next nine years with Iowa Heart Center and Mercy Hospital as a medical staff team facilitator in a heart disease prevention program. As my journey continued, I expanded my areas of expertise to include a broad area of individual, family and marriage counseling, business and organizational consulting, as well as professional and personal coaching.
In the fall of 2002, I had the opportunity to begin a New Life Clinic in Iowa, and New Life Counseling, Coaching, and Consulting was born. I continue to rejoice in the gifts of my wonderful and loving wife, the blessings of our 4 children, their spouses, and our grandchildren.
My wife and our four children are excited to be a part of this community seeking God’s loving embrace and guidance as we journey with God in the Des Moines area.
Stephanie Blanchard, MA, LMHC, CADC
Healing happens in the context of healthy relationships. God’s Word confirms that we were not created to do life alone; this realization from Scripture started my journey and interest into the healing relationship of counseling. I received my undergraduate degree from Oklahoma Wesleyan University followed by my Masters of Arts in Counseling from Asbury Theological Seminary in Kentucky. Being married to a United Methodist Pastor, we were appointed to the Des Moines area in 2007. I started my professional career within the field of Chemical Dependency where I developed a passion for the hurt, abandoned, unheard, and distraught. It was during this time that I discovered a gift of compassion and hope for assisting women in developing empowerment and building resiliency.
Being a Licensed Mental Health Counselor as well as a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor, I have been able to increase my expertise in the areas of Co-Occurring Disorders. As my counseling endeavors continued, I have worked with a broad arena of individual, couple, and group counseling. I have special interest in women’s issues including: depression, anxiety, grief and loss, family issues, and overall support for women in general.
I am continually grateful for the opportunities and blessings God grants to me. I am challenged daily to become a more fervent disciple of Christ, a Godlier wife and mother as well as a steward of the gifts Christ has instilled within me. I would be honored to walk through this time with you.