Business Details
35 Years
experience
Your Trusted Mental Health Therapy Partner in Yankton, SD
Heartland Psychological Services has been a trusted provider of mental health care in southeastern South Dakota since 1991. Our agency was founded by Dr. Joe Blackinton to address the critical need for accessible, compassionate therapy across the region. With locations in Yankton and Vermillion, we serve clients from southeast South Dakota and northeast Nebraska through a team of highly qualified professionals. Our therapists hold advanced degrees and certifications in clinical psychology, counseling, and social work, with specialized expertise in treating anxiety, depression, trauma, and life transitions.We utilize evidence-based approaches including cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, and play therapy to support clients of all ages. As a non-profit organization, we prioritize community impact over profit, ensuring mental health services remain accessible through insurance partnerships and sliding-scale options. Our mission remains unchanged since inception: to relieve suffering, restore hope, and help individuals achieve their full potential through compassionate care.
Services
Anxiety & Depression Therapy
Trauma & Abuse Recovery
Bariatric Evaluations
Play Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Grief & Loss Counseling
Anger Management
Life Transitions Support
Family Therapy
Substance Use Counseling
Details
- Year established: 1991
Highlights and features
- We offer over 30 years of experience in mental health therapy since 1991
- Our team includes state and nationally accredited therapists with advanced degrees
- We accept Medicare, Medicaid, and most insurance plans for accessibility
- We utilize evidence-based therapeutic approaches like CBT and DBT
- We serve clients of all ages from southeast South Dakota and northeast Nebraska
Services
Anxiety & Depression Therapy
Specialized treatment for anxiety disorders and depressive conditions using evidence-based approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy and acceptance commitment therapy. Our licensed therapists help clients develop coping strategies and address underlying causes. We serve adults, adolescents, and children with personalized treatment plans.
Trauma & Abuse Recovery
Comprehensive care for trauma survivors including PTSD treatment and recovery from sexual abuse. Our therapists use specialized techniques like EMDR and trauma-focused CBT. We provide safe spaces for processing experiences and rebuilding emotional resilience for individuals and families.
Bariatric Evaluations
Pre-surgical psychological evaluations for bariatric surgery candidates. Our licensed professionals assess readiness for weight loss surgery and provide recommendations. We help patients understand psychological requirements and develop strategies for long-term success through individualized assessment reports.
Play Therapy
Developmentally appropriate treatment for children aged 11 and under using play-based techniques. Our therapists address behavioral issues, trauma, and emotional challenges through structured therapeutic play. We help young clients express feelings and develop coping skills in a supportive environment.
Life Transitions Support
Guidance through major life changes including divorce, career shifts, and medical diagnoses. Our therapists help clients navigate transitions using collaborative problem-solving and person-centered approaches. We focus on building resilience and finding meaning during periods of significant change.
People
Danelle Pennock
Director
Director with over 15 years of experience at Heartland. Holds Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Argosy University. Specializes in individual and family therapy for children and adults. Previously worked with Liberty Healthcare Corporation as Clinical Therapist.
Mary Sternhagen
Therapist
Licensed therapist with 20+ years of experience. Master's in Counseling from University of South Dakota. Specializes in veterans' mental health, eating disorders, and trauma recovery. Former director of Yankton Women's Shelter and Visitation Center.
Tonja Koenigs
Therapist
Licensed clinical social worker with 25+ years of experience. Master's from University of Nebraska at Omaha. Specializes in adult, adolescent, and child therapy. Former Executive Director of West Iowa Community Mental Health Center.
Sherry Gaskins
Therapist
Dual-licensed therapist with Master's degrees in Clinical Psychology and Social Work. Specializes in military family mental health and deployment-related issues. Completed internship at Minneapolis Veteran's Affairs Hospital and Lewis & Clark Behavioral Health Services.
Stephanie Kramer
Therapist
Licensed clinical social worker with experience in mental illness, addiction, and developmental challenges. Provides person-centered treatment for teens, adults, and couples. Previously worked with Southeastern Directions for Life for five years.
Questions
What types of mental health services do you offer?
We provide therapy for anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship issues, life transitions, and substance use disorders. Specialized services include play therapy for children and bariatric evaluations.
Do you accept insurance?
Yes, we accept Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurance plans. Our staff can help verify your mental health benefits and coordinate coverage.
Are your therapists licensed professionals?
All our therapists are licensed and accredited at state and national levels with advanced degrees in clinical psychology, counseling, and social work.
Do you offer services for children and adolescents?
Yes, we specialize in child and adolescent therapy including play therapy, behavioral disorder treatment, and family counseling for youth up to age 18.
What areas do you serve?
We serve southeastern South Dakota and northeast Nebraska with primary locations in Yankton and Vermillion for convenient regional access.