Kim J Robinson-Gilchrist, M.S., LMHC Licensed Counselor

Weight Loss Clinic in Des Moines, Iowa

Call (515) 631-9153, Des Moines, IA 50315

About Kim J Robinson-Gilchrist, M.S., LMHC Licensed Counselor

Treatment at Kim J Robinson-Gilchrist, M.S., LMHC Licensed Counselor

Kim J. Robinson-Gilchrist is a licensed mental health counselor in Des Moines, Iowa, with a master's degree and LMHC credential. Her practice takes a distinctly different approach to weight loss than most clinics in the area. Rather than starting with a meal plan or a calorie target, she starts with the emotional and psychological patterns that drive eating behavior in the first place. That distinction matters for a lot of people who've lost weight before and gained it back.

Her work sits at the intersection of mental health, weight management, and fitness, which reflects her training across all three categories. She works with individuals who've struggled with emotional eating, binge eating, body image issues, or chronic dieting cycles. Her approach is collaborative and grounded in evidence-based counseling methods, and she brings a level of personal warmth that clients consistently describe as a key part of why the work actually moves forward.

Services Offered

Kim's practice offers individual counseling sessions focused on the psychological dimensions of weight and eating. She works with clients on identifying emotional triggers for overeating, developing healthier coping strategies, and building a relationship with food that isn't driven by guilt or anxiety. Cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the primary tools she uses, along with motivational interviewing to help clients clarify their own goals and build internal motivation that doesn't depend on external pressure. Beyond the mental health side, Kim incorporates fitness guidance into her work with clients who are ready to include movement as part of their overall plan. This isn't personal training in the traditional sense but rather helping clients build a sustainable and enjoyable relationship with physical activity. She also addresses body image directly, which is often a missing piece in standard weight loss programs. For clients dealing with disordered eating patterns, she can provide specialized support and, when appropriate, coordinate with medical providers or dietitians to ensure care is integrated. Sessions are typically individual and one-on-one, giving clients a private space to work through the things that haven't come up in other programs.

Counseling & Mental Health

Weight Loss Centers

Fitness & Instruction

Treatment Options

Individual Counseling for Emotional Eating

One-on-one therapy sessions targeting the emotional patterns and psychological triggers that drive overeating, using CBT and motivational interviewing techniques.

Weekly or biweekly sessions, typically 3-12 months$100-$175 per session; insurance may apply

Body Image and Disordered Eating Counseling

Specialized counseling for clients struggling with negative body image, chronic dieting cycles, or patterns that overlap with disordered eating behaviors.

Ongoing; typically 6+ months for significant shifts$100-$175 per session; insurance may apply

Integrated Weight and Wellness Counseling

A broader approach combining mental health counseling with fitness guidance and lifestyle coaching, suited for clients who want psychological and behavioral support together.

3-12 months depending on goals$100-$175 per session

Telehealth Counseling Sessions

Remote counseling via secure video platform, offering the same quality of care for Iowa residents who prefer not to commute or who live outside the Des Moines metro.

Same as in-person; flexible scheduling$100-$175 per session; insurance may apply

What to Expect

The first session with Kim is primarily an intake conversation. She'll ask about your history with weight, eating, and any prior treatment, but she's also trying to understand how you see yourself and what's actually going on beneath the surface. You won't leave with a meal plan. You'll leave with a clearer sense of what the work ahead looks like and whether her approach fits what you need.

From there, sessions are typically weekly or biweekly depending on what you're working on. Progress in counseling doesn't always look linear. Some weeks you'll have breakthroughs. Other weeks feel like you're going in circles. That's normal, and Kim is trained to work through those periods rather than just push toward a number on a scale. Over time, the goal is to shift the underlying patterns so that healthy behavior becomes the default rather than something you have to force. Clients often find that as their relationship with food and their body changes, weight loss follows as a byproduct rather than a constant battle.

Why Choose Kim J Robinson-Gilchrist, M.S., LMHC Licensed Counselor

Most weight loss programs treat food and exercise as the whole problem. Kim treats them as symptoms of something deeper. For people who've tried diet after diet without lasting success, that reframing is often what finally makes a difference. She's not going to tell you to eat fewer carbs. She's going to help you figure out why you eat when you're not hungry, why you give up when things get hard, and what's really going on when you stand in front of the refrigerator at 11pm.

Her dual training in mental health and fitness gives her a range that a typical therapist or a typical trainer doesn't have. She understands the physiological side of what exercise does for mood and stress, and she can speak to both the emotional and physical dimensions of change. For clients dealing with anxiety, depression, or trauma alongside weight concerns, that kind of integrated perspective isn't just useful, it's necessary. She also brings genuine care to her work, and clients regularly describe her as someone who makes them feel seen rather than judged.

Insurance & Pricing

Kim accepts some insurance plans for mental health counseling services. Because her work spans counseling, weight management, and fitness guidance, coverage depends on how services are billed and what your specific plan covers. Mental health counseling sessions billed under standard codes are more likely to be covered than other components. Out-of-pocket rates vary, so contacting her directly for current pricing is the most reliable approach. Many clients use HSA or FSA funds for sessions not covered by insurance.

First-Time Patient Tips

Coming to a counselor about weight can feel uncomfortable, especially if you're used to programs that just hand you a plan and send you home. It helps to approach the first few sessions with openness rather than expecting immediate tactical advice. The work Kim does is most effective when you're honest about what's really going on, which sometimes takes a few sessions to get to.

It also helps to have some patience with the process. Behavioral change is slower and messier than following a meal plan, but it tends to last. If you've noticed that you lose weight and then regain it whenever life gets stressful, that's a strong signal that the psychological piece needs attention. You might also benefit from having a registered dietitian working alongside Kim if nutrition guidance is something you want. She can help coordinate that kind of integrated approach when it makes sense.

Pros & Cons

Advantages

Addresses the psychological root causes of weight struggles rather than just prescribing a diet, which is often what makes the difference for repeat dieters.
Her dual background in mental health counseling and fitness gives her a perspective most therapists and most trainers simply don't have.
Telehealth availability means clients across central Iowa can access her services without commuting to Des Moines.

Things to Consider

This isn't a fast-results program, and clients who want a structured meal plan or rapid weight loss may find the pace frustrating.
For clients who also need medical supervision or detailed nutrition guidance, they'll likely need to see additional providers alongside Kim.

Service Area

Kim J. Robinson-Gilchrist practices in Des Moines, Iowa, and serves clients from throughout the metro area. Because counseling can be conducted in person or via telehealth, she's also accessible to clients in central Iowa communities who prefer not to commute. Telehealth sessions are available for Iowa residents, which expands her reach considerably beyond the immediate Des Moines area.

Interior of Kim J Robinson-Gilchrist, M.S., LMHC Licensed Counselor

Local Insight

Des Moines has a growing mental health community, and Kim's practice is part of a broader shift in how the city's health professionals think about weight. There's increasing recognition that the emotional and behavioral dimensions of eating are just as important as the nutritional ones. Her location in Des Moines puts her within reach of a large client base across the metro, and her telehealth option makes her accessible to people throughout central Iowa who might not have access to this kind of specialized counseling locally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this therapy or coaching?

Kim is a licensed mental health counselor, so her individual sessions are clinical counseling, not coaching. That distinction matters for insurance purposes and for the depth of issues she's qualified to address, including anxiety, depression, and trauma alongside weight concerns.

Do I have to have a diagnosed eating disorder to work with Kim?

No. Most of her clients don't have a clinical eating disorder diagnosis but do struggle with emotional eating, stress eating, or patterns around food that have made it hard to maintain a healthy weight. You don't need a diagnosis to benefit from this kind of work.

Will she give me a meal plan?

No. Kim's work is focused on the behavioral and psychological side of eating, not nutrition prescription. If you want detailed meal planning, she can help connect you with a registered dietitian who can work alongside her.

How is this different from a regular therapist?

Kim has specific training and focus in weight management and fitness in addition to her mental health credentials. A general therapist may touch on eating and body image issues, but Kim has built her practice specifically around these concerns, which means she brings more depth and experience to this particular area.

Does she work with men?

Yes. While emotional eating and body image struggles are often discussed in the context of women's health, these issues affect men too, and Kim works with clients of all genders.

Can I do sessions via video call?

Yes, telehealth sessions are available for Iowa residents. The format is a secure video platform and works well for most counseling goals, so distance isn't a barrier to working with her.

How long before I see results?

Behavioral and psychological change doesn't follow a predictable timeline. Some clients notice real shifts in their relationship with food within a few months. For others, especially those with longer histories of dieting or more complex emotional patterns, the process takes longer. The changes that come from this kind of work tend to last in a way that crash diets don't.

Does insurance cover her services?

Mental health counseling sessions may be covered depending on your plan. The best approach is to contact Kim directly with your insurance information to find out what's covered before scheduling. HSA and FSA funds can typically be used for mental health services not covered by insurance.