Desiree Zielke, PhD, LP

Hello and welcome to Becoming Balanced! I'm so glad you're here. Taking the time to learn more about our practice means a lot to me.

I’m the owner and President of Becoming Balanced, and a clinical psychologist specializing in health psychology. I attended North Dakota State University for my Bachelor's and Master's degrees, then earned my Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology from Indiana University Purdue University-Indianapolis. I completed my predoctoral internship in Salem, Virginia at the VA Hospital, followed by postdoctoral training at Sanford Health, where I worked as a Licensed Psychologist for five years. I'm licensed in both North Dakota and Minnesota.

As Becoming Balanced has grown, I've taken on more administrative responsibilities, which has limited my ability to take on new clients directly. Today, I lead a team of eight incredibly talented women and love being able to focus my energy on building Becoming Balanced into a place women want to come as part of their healing journey. I also enjoy public speaking and sharing what I know about women's health and wellness with others. Over the years, I've had the privilege of speaking on topics like stress management, diabetes and emotional health, and coping with chronic illness for organizations including Sanford Health, the University of North Dakota, the North Dakota Department of Health, and Hospice of the Red River Valley, among others. I'm also a member of several professional organizations, including the Minnesota Psychological Association, the North Dakota Psychological Association, the American Psychological Association (Divisions 38 and 42), the American Diabetes Association, and the National Register of Health Service Psychologists. I have a special interest in working with women managing diabetes, and I'm currently one of two mental health professionals in North Dakota listed on the American Diabetes Association Mental Health Directory. I also enjoy working with women navigating chronic medical conditions, depression, anxiety, and difficult life transitions.

Beyond my work as a psychologist and business owner, I also serve as Vice President of my husband's construction company, where I lead the business operations, from finances to paperwork to the systems that keep his crew running smoothly. Building two successful businesses alongside my husband is something I'm proud of, and it's taught me a lot about leadership, adaptability, and juggling more than one hat.

We live on a 24-acre property, which means we've collected chickens (there are usually fresh eggs in the office for anyone who wants some!), 5 spoiled garage cats, and 4 dogs. Work-life balance is something I'm always working on myself, and I'm honest about the fact that it's an ongoing process rather than something I've perfected. As an introvert, I also protect time to recharge on my own, alongside time spent with family, camping, or simply enjoying the outdoors. In my free time, I enjoy reading, watching "chicken TV" with our animals, exploring topics like astrology and energy work, and, when the season allows, embracing my love of all things Christmas. My husband and I also enjoy collecting crystals, so you'll spot a few pretty rocks around the office and on our website.