The Next Step staff is a diverse group of high quality, ethically minded, skilled practitioners that strive to provide professional services which demonstrate sensitivity and respect for human differences. Our educated and experienced service providers offer quality services to best meet the needs of our clients and their families.
Next Step Staff – Director / Owner
Mike Koch, MSW, LISW
Clinical Director / Therapist
Mike earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Child and Family Services from Iowa State University, and continued his education at the University of Iowa, where he received his Masters in Social Work degree, emphasizing on integrated practice.
Mike has been working in the social services field for over eighteen years, focusing on youth and families. He specializes in treating mood disorders, depression, emotion management, behavior management, and has experience treating a wide variety of mental health disorders.
Mike is a Licensed Independent Social Worker in the State of Iowa. He is also a member of the National Association of Social Workers and participates in a variety of training sessions and task forces annually.
Next Step Staff – Therapists
Katy Beary, MSW, LMSW
Therapist
Katy earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Minnesota: Twin Cities and earned her Master’s of Social Work degree from the University of Southern California.
She has been serving children since 2007 and practicing psychotherapy since 2014. Katy has worked with clients ranging from 5 to 65 years of age, to overcome barriers to achieving health, well-being, and personal aspirations. She has a background in working with children on the Autism Spectrum and with Down Syndrome, as well as children with emotional and behavioral disorders. Her approach seems to resonate well with individuals experiencing emotional dysregulation, personality disorders or traits, behavioral issues, and anyone motivated to make significant change. She is an eclectic therapist drawing treatment techniques from play therapy modalities, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Solution-focused Therapy, Structural Family Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing and practicing primarily through the lens of Modern Attachment Theory.
Katy is a Licensed Master Social Worker in the State of Iowa.
Larissa Bustamante, TLMHC 
Therapist
Larissa earned a Bachelors of Arts Degree from Waldorf College and earned her Masters of Professional Psychology from Liberty University.
Larissa has been working in the field since 2013. Larissa’s education concentrated in the area of Child and Adolescent Counseling. She has experience providing family services, group work, and individual counseling focusing on youth with behavioral management, emotional management, and anxiety disorders.
Larissa has a temporary License of Mental Health Counseling in the State of Iowa.
Angie Jones, MSW, LMSW
Therapist
Angie obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Human Services from Buena Vista University. She then continued her education at the University of Iowa, where she received her Master’s of Social Work Degree in 2015.
Angie has been in the social service field since 2006. She primarily provides school based therapy to the Southeast Polk Jr and Sr High Schools. Angie has worked with many children ranging in age from 4 to 18, as well as adults with significant mental health issues. Angie specializes in treating individuals with anxiety and depressive symptoms. She also has experience treating a wide variety of mental health disorders using different theoretical practices.
Angie is a Licensed Master Social Worker in the State of Iowa.
Adam Keonin, MA, LMHC
Provisional Therapist
After earning a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Northwest Missouri State University, Adam went on to complete his Master of Arts in Counseling from Oakland University.
With over ten years of experience in the field of counseling, Adam’s education concentrated in the area of Child and Adolescent Counseling. His expertise is in behavior management, emotional regulation, and individual counseling for at risk youth and autism spectrum disorder populations.
He is currently completing the requirements to earn his independent License in Mental Health Counseling from the State of Iowa.
Bryon Little, MSW, LMSW
Therapist
Byron is a therapist with Next Step Counseling Services.
Bryon is a Licensed Master Social Worker in the State of Iowa.
Andrea Niebuhr, MSW, LMSW 
Therapist
Andrea earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Simpson College in Indianola, IA. She continued her education at the University of Iowa, Des Moines Campus where she earned her Master of Social Work Degree.
Andrea has been working in the human services field since 2012. She has experience working with children, adolescents, and adults.Her background has included outpatient mental health therapy in the school setting, behavioral health intervention services with children, and direct support personnel for adults with intellectual disabilities and severe mental illness. She specializes in treating mood disorders including depression and anxiety, trauma, emotional management, and behavior management. Andrea uses a variety of therapeutic approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Play Therapy,and Motivational Interviewing.
Andrea is a Licensed Master Social Worker in the State of Iowa.
Sharon D. Sickles, MSW, LISW
Therapist
Sharon earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Services from Grand View College. She earned her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Iowa. She continues to further her education to give the people the best assistance possible.
Since 1988 Sharon has worked with a wide variety of clients of all ages and abilities. She specializes in treating anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, emotion management, behavior management, and has experience treating a wide variety of other mental health disorders and behavioral issues.
Sharon is a Licensed Independent Social Worker in the State of Iowa.
(BHIS) – Behavioral Health Intervention Services
Jeremy Nau, BA
BHIS Interventionist / Program Manager
Jeremy studied at Iowa State University, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a minor in Sociology.
Jeremy has been working with families and children since 2004. He works with adolescents and families on problem solving skills, coping skills, and anger management skills.
Dana Willis, BA
BHIS Interventionist
Dana earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Services from Grand View College.
She has been in the social services field since 2003, where she has worked with children, adolescents, and families. She specializes in assisting them to manage their emotions, manage their behaviors, and social skill development.
Carla Brown, BA
BHIS Interventionist / Habilitation Provider
Anna Hendrickson, MSW
BHIS Interventionalist & Habilitation Provider / Intern
Anna has earned her Masters of Social Work from (……..). She has worked in the field since 2014.
Next Step Staff –
Sarah Sidie
Habilitation Provider / Program Manager
Sarah has worked in the mental health field for several years. She originally worked in Creston, IA, before moving to Des Moines.
Sarah has been the Habilitation program manager for Next Step Counseling services since 2015.
Rudy Alcorta
Habilitation Provider
Brytaney Ambrose
Habilitation Provider
Mike Bell
Habilitation Provider
Regina Celania
Habilitation Provider
Stephanie Fry
Habilitation Provider
Shane Gerstenberger
Habilitation Provider
Bridget Jackson
Habilitation Provider
Lamarico Jordan
Habilitation Provider
Heidi Junko
Habilitation Provider
Kami Kennedy
Habilitation Provider
Mary Pat McMahon
Habilitation Provider / Intern
Maria McMillon
Habilitation Provider
LaToyes Moore
Habilitation Provider
Lucinda Norbom
Habilitation Provider
Melissa Obie
Habilitation Provider
Angela Pfaltzgraff
Habilitation Provider
Payton Pringle
Habilitation Provider
Dominique Ramsey
Habilitation Provider
Charda “Day” Robinson
Habilitation Provider
Natalie Sheehey
Habilitation Provider
Alli Smith
Habilitation Provider
Tena Swanson
Habilitation Provider
Michele Tasler
Habilitation Provider
Andre Wadsworth
Habilitation Provider
Lizette Webb-Strike
Habilitation Provider
Tony Griffin, BS
Website Moderator / Admin Support
Tony attended Upper Iowa University, graduating in 2014. He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Services. Tony is currently pursuing a Master of Social Work degree.
Tony has been working in this field since 2013, and had held several positions, including habilitation provider, habilitation program manager, and care coordinator / case manager. Tony specializes in providing assistance to individuals who have a chronic mental illness with daily living skills, community inclusion, behavioral and social skill development.