About Me
Kimberly Simmons, LCSW, Therapist at You Rise Counseling in Texas
My Story
Fun fact, my interest in becoming a talk therapist started in the second grade when my teacher gave us a ten-question career quiz. Even at that young age, I had an innate ability to listen and help people figure out the stuff of life. I also realize that when I was growing up, my tendency to encourage others was my way of coping with some of the challenges I faced, like bullying and grief. The most rewarding part of my story has been empowering my clients to rise to the challenging occasions of their lives.
Throughout my academic and professional journey over the past eight years, I have been grateful to serve thousands of people of different ages, cultures, religions, socioeconomic and sexual identity groups. I have worked in psychiatric hospitals, outpatient mental health, a national mental health crisis helpline, as well as in the school system. That eclectic professional background and my ethics, have greatly influenced my mission to empower all of my clients, regardless of their unique challenges.
My Approach
One of the main concerns I hear from people looking for a therapist is who will be sincerely invested in walking this journey out with me? Who will actually “get me”? I encourage openly sharing feedback, insight and ideas during sessions. This collaborative approach fosters an environment of understanding that helps me to “get you” as your therapist.
Contrary to popular belief, therapists are not the experts on the clients. You are the expert on yourself. Consider me an ally with a skill set that will be very useful to you on the path to mental health wellness. We are a team and if we are both “all in” without judgment, there are bound to be wins in the therapeutic process.
While I am actively advancing my training in various therapeutic modalities, I have the most extensive experience in Crisis Intervention, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) and Motivational Interviewing (MI). Some of the ways I will use this knowledge to help you include, but are not limited to:
Challenging and modifying maladaptive thoughts about self, the world and the future
Accessing strengths and resources to achieve identified goals
Identifying the underlying root of stressors and activating healthy coping skills
Empowerment and accountability for the necessary and beneficial work for positive change
Amongst my top priorities is creating a safe space for exploration of everything from the simplest issue to your innermost challenging thoughts. Some aspects of my approach that nurture this healthy therapeutic environment are:
Meeting you where you are mentally and emotionally on any given day by being nonjudgmental, open-minded, as well as adaptable with my therapeutic approach
Encouraging ongoing collaboration/feedback to ensure your unique needs and goals are kept at the forefront of your treatment
Respecting your privacy | All means of correspondence are compliant with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
My Credentials
Bachelor’s in Psychology
Interpersonal Communication
University of Houston
Master’s in Social Work
Clinical Practice Track
Health Disparities Specialization
University of Houston
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
TX State Board Social Work Examiners
TX Behavioral Health Executive Council
National Association of Social Workers