Starting 3/20/2026 ALL clinical services will be at our North Ames location. This location is under our other name, Vivant: Live Well. Vivant is a part of Cultivate Wellness.

Vivant: Live Well 823 Wheeler Suite 10 Ames, IA

Meet the Clinical Team

  • Kristten Buttermore, LMHC, LPC, LIMHP

    FOUNDER/THERAPIST

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  • Kelly Binkowski, t-LMHC

    FOUNDER/THERAPIST

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  • Abbie Stucker, t-LMHC

    THERAPIST

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  • Nathan Birtell

    MASTERS LEVEL INTERN

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Potential Client Form

Kristten Buttermore,

LMHC (she/Her)

  • Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Iowa State University

  • Master of Science of Education in Community Counseling from Drake University.

  • Licensed mental health counselor.

  • Basic trained EMDR

I’m Kristten Buttermore, LMHC and I have been providing mental health counseling since 2002. I have always had a passion for listening, REALLY LISTENING, to my clients and gearing interventions around what he/she/they need. I believe that our emotional health is an integral part of our whole wellness. Cultivate Wellness was built on the belief that each part of a person’s wellness needs to be nurtured and cultivated.

Other Involvement

  • Member of American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA) and Iowa Mental Health Counselors Association (IMHCA)

  • Past President of the Iowa Mental Health Counselors Association (IMHCA)

  • Member of the Eating Disorder Coalition of Iowa

  • Interim Executive Director of Creative Counseling Services

  • Ames Chamber of Commerce Leadership Graduate

  • Member of Association for Applied Sport Psychology

Abbie Stucker, t-LMHC

t-LMHC She/Her/Hers

  • Bachelors in Psychology and Criminal Justice from Iowa State University

  • Masters from New York University

  • Temporary-Licensed mental health counselor (pending)

  • Basic trained EMDR

  • Takes Wellmark BC/BS and private pay

Abbie completed her internship with Kristten Buttermore, LMHC. She will be starting to see clients at Vivant: Live Well (our north office) in October 2025. She has experience with life transitions, anxiety, depression, LGBTQ+, addiction, and other mental health concerns. Abbie sees clients ages 16 and up. Abbie is a Person-Centered therapist and utilizes Strength Based modalities, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and EMDR.

Other Involvement

  • Board of Directors for Center for Creative Justice

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Nathan Birtell

  • Clinical Masters Level Intern

  • Zero cost sessions

  • Bachelors degree in Theology from Concordia University Nebraska

  • Student at Concordia University Irvine through their Townsend Institute for Counseling

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Nathan is a current student at Concordia University Irvine through their Townsend Institute for Counseling, completing his master’s degree. He is interning at Cultivate Wellness under the supervision of Kristten Buttermore, LMHC. Nathan graduated from Concordia University Nebraska with his undergraduate degree in theology.

Nathan is passionate about helping others know their priceless value and help them become the best version of themselves. He enjoys working with the high school and college populations, including athletes from high school to Division 1. Nathan cares about helping people experiencing professional, school, and sport-related burnout, as well as anxiety and other general mental health concerns.

Kelly Binkowski, t-LMHC

she/hers

  • B.S: Kinesiology from Iowa State University (2007)

  • B.S: Nursing from Creighton University (2008)

  • MSN: Women’s Health from University of Nebraska Medical Center (2011)

  • MS: Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Grandview University (2025)

  • EMDR Basic Trained through EMDRIA approved trainer

  • Level 1 IFS Trained

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I am co-founder of Vivant and especially passionate combining my love of women’s health and mental health-working with women in all phases of life and offer a safe place to heal. I love
working with women during pregnancy, postpartum, infertility journeys, and during all phases of motherhood. I also love working with teens (ages 15+) that might need support in athletic anxiety, navigating high school, college, or other big transitions.

Vivant: Live Well 823 Wheeler Suite 10 Ames, IA 50010

Vivant: Live Well 823 Wheeler St. Suite 10 Ames, IA 50010