James Hayes

About Me

• GENDER: Male (He/him/his)
• LANGUAGE: English

I'm the Executive Director of Mind and Spirit Counseling Center, as well as one of our Spiritual Directors. In my role I advance the Center’s mission to bring understanding, hope and healing to people of all ages through counseling and education. I am passionate about walking with people as they explore how to live life to the full.

Most of my studies and training have been spent exploring the question of how to lead a life that matters and how the human person might best flourish in creation. I studied French literature and History at Loras College. I hold a Master's of Divinity degree from St. Mary’s Seminary and University in Baltimore and a Doctorate in Homiletics from the Aquinas Institute at St. Louis University. I also did a graduate degree in philosophy at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas (Angelicum) in Rome, Italy. My life has been blessed with opportunities to teach, counsel, write, minister, preach, lead retreats and provide spiritual direction. I also have experience in nonprofit administration. I spent time in higher education at Iowa State University and Simpson College in a variety of administrative and faculty roles. Before that, I provided spiritual counseling and pastoral ministry in a wide variety of settings through Priestly Ministry in the Northeast Iowa Archdiocese of Dubuque.

My wife Sarah and I live in Des Moines with our two children. I'm available to speak or preach at your business, organization, school, congregation or other settings that might welcome an opportunity to explore mental health, hope, healing and the fullness of life.

Department

• Community Relations
• Leadership & Spiritual Life
• Leadership Team

Specialty

• Spiritual Enrichment

Therapy

• Spiritual Counseling

Client Focus

• Adults
• Older Adults

  Telehealth Offered