The Meadowlark Clinic - a mental health practice in Des Moines, Iowa

Women's mental health has been a top search for several weeks, as a high-profile case is being tried and a mother is on the stand. We aren't going to discuss the case though. There are plenty of theories out there. We're going to shift our focus and discuss a mental health practice right here in Des Moines, Iowa that at their very core serves women in all stages--specifically perinatal health. I'd like to introduce you to Amanda Hardy and her staff with The Meadowlark Clinic.

Amanda Hardy has been a mental health practitioner in Iowa since 2017 and opened up The MeadowLark Clinic 3.5 years ago and has been expanding her team in their new location in Downtown Des Moines since then. At the very core of Meadowlark's mission, is that women--specifically mothers, matter. Amanda wrote a book entitled "Dear Mama, You Matter," which I personally read in 2020 during the throughs of COVID while newly postpartum with my fourth son. The book, along with Amanda's social media posts, helped me while I was in the trenches and at the lowest point in my parenting journey.

Dr. Amanda Hardy, clinic director of The Meadowlark Clinic.

Amanda and her team support women in their transition to parenthood, while providing a cozy-home like environment where women can feel comfortable opening up and be heard by providers that truly understand.  As a perinatal mental health clinic, their team provides compassionate, specialized care ranging from therapy to medication management. Whether clients are navigating pregnancy, the postpartum period, the complexities of infertility, or the heartbreak of loss, they provide the practical tools and professional support they need to heal and move forward with confidence. At Meadowlark, they know that when women are supported, they are better equipped to thrive and nurture their families. At the Meadowlark clinic, providers work with several major insurance companies to become credentialed. Please contact the clinic directly by telephone (515-216-0729) for questions regarding insurance or visit their website with frequently asked questions. Amanda founded The Meadowlark Clinic after decades of experiences ranging from being a pregnancy and postpartum doula, therapist, and researcher studying the maternity systems in the United States. Amanda saw firsthand the gaps in supports for women and families during pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period. Amanda believes that when parents feel well-supported, they are better equipped to love and nurture their children. It is her belief that a generation of well-loved children can change the world.

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Although the Meadowlark clinic primarily serves adults ages 20-40, their primary goal is that everyone that walks through their doors feels heard and held. Amanda believes that vulnerabilities and real human connection with one another build authentic communities. Studies show that having a strong social connection (community) is one of the best ways to support mental health. In additional to community and a sense of belonging, women need physical activities, nutrition, and restorative sleep.

Amanda believes that a matriarchal system would benefit everyone. A matriarch prioritizes women's health, which then then allows women to focus on children. This circles back to Amanda's earlier point that a generation of well-loved children can change the world. By allowing women to thrive, be seen and heard, all others will benefit. Meadowlark truly holds the honor of their work with profound gratitude. Their mission is to ensure that every individual who steps through the doors—whether they are preparing for parenthood or navigating its seasons—feels truly seen, nurtured, and held. They believe that when you are supported with expertise and compassion, you know your story matters, and in that knowing, you find the strength to flourish. You can follow Meadowlark online on social media on Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin, and TikTok. If you are wanting more resources, Amanda curated her favorite books and resources for people to check out. The First Forty Days: The Essential Art of Nourishing the New Mother Hardcover by Heng Ou, Amely Greeven, and Marisa Belger (2016) What No One Tells You: A Guide to Your Emotions from Pregnancy to Motherhood by Dr. Alexandra Sacks and Dr. Catherine Birndorf (2019)  Strong as a Mother: How to Stay Healthy, Happy, and (Most Importantly) Sane from Pregnancy to Parenthood: The Only Guide to Taking Care of YOU! by Kate Rope (2018) Good Moms Have Scary Thoughts: A Healing Guide to the Secret Fears of New Mothers Hardcover by Karen Kleiman and Molly McIntyre (2019) The Pregnancy Workbook: Manage Anxiety and Worry with CBT and Mindfulness Techniques (2021). Katayune Kaeni (mom and mind podcast host) How Not to Hate Your Husband After Kids Hardcover by Jancee Dunn (2017)  To Have and to Hold: Motherhood, Marriage, and the Modern Dilemma by Molly Millwood (2019) Fair Play: A Game-Changing Solution for When You Have Too Much to Do (and More Life to Live), by Eve Rodsky Websites worth bookmarking include: Postpartum Support International and Postpartum Stress Center If you are searching for a therapist, you can book online through The Meadowlark's website.