Meet the EAP Team
Our licensed team of professionals provide a confidential setting where employees and their family members feel free to seek help and solve personal and family problems, learn new coping skills and enhance their work performance. Employees who address their problems are better able to concentrate, have increased productivity and morale while reducing the likelihood of workplace accidents.
Our Team
Kimberly Brangoccio, CEAP, LMFT, IAADC
Kim is the manager of the Employee Assistance Program. She is a Certified Employee Assistance Professional (CEAP) with a License in Marriage & Family Therapy and an advanced certificate in alcohol and drug counseling. She has experience managing employee assistance, alcohol & drug and family counseling programs. Her background includes working with patients seeking to address issues regarding mental health, addiction and family communication dynamics. She enjoys seeing others change their behaviors and begin living life to the fullest. She has been with UnityPoint Health - Des Moines since 2010 and has worked in the Des Moines area for several years.
Kristten Buttermore, LMHC
Kristten graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in Sociology. She went on to Drake University where she earned her Master's degree in Community Counseling. Kristten has worked in the mental health and substance abuse field since 2000 and has experience with a variety of populations and diagnoses. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family on their acreage, where they raise pigs, cows and chickens. Kristten is PRN with a limited schedule. Please call for Kristten's availability.
Frances Gorde, LMHC, CEAP, RYT500
Frances has been providing counseling services to individuals, couples, families and organizations in the Des Moines area for more than 19 years. She is a Licensed Mental Health Therapist (LMHC), a Certified Employee Assistance Professional (CEAP), a Certified Yoga Wellness coach, and also has an advanced yoga teaching certification, RYT500. Areas of special interest and expertise include marital and relationship issues, mindfulness-based stress reduction, wellness coaching, grief and loss, life changes, depression and crisis response. Fran is currently in the office on Thursdays only.
Timothy Flynn, LMHC
Tim joined EAP after two and half years as an inpatient therapist at Iowa Lutheran Hospital's Behavioral Health unit. He received his Master's degree in 2014 from Drake University after completing internships at Powell Chemical Dependency Center and Eyerly Ball Community Mental Health Services. Tim has experience working with depression, anxiety, communication problems, work stress, life transitions, trauma, emotional intensity, gender identity, relationship issues as well as substance abuse and addiction.
Julie Ehrhardt, LMHC, CEAP
Julie has been providing counseling services to individuals, couples, families and organizations in the Des Moines area for more than 32 years. She holds a Master's in Healthcare Administration and a Master's in Community Counseling. She is a Licensed Mental Health Therapist (LMHC), a Certified Employee Assistance Professional (CEAP), and an International Alcohol and Drug Counselor (IADC). Julie has experience working with substance use/abuse disorders and other addictions, domestic violence, depression, anxiety, workplace stress and relationships. Besides spending time with Ragan, her Shih Tzu dog, when away from work, Julie enjoys traveling, teaching, bike riding and cheering on the USHL Des Moines Buccaneers.