Last edited 12/28/2023
Get To Know Me
What was your path to becoming a therapist? What inspired you to choose this profession?
For many years I taught dance and directed adolescent ballet companies around the country. When my husband deployed for 18 months to Afghanistan, leaving me with 7 children (including two who had just been adopted from Liberia), I fell apart and attended therapy for the first time. It made a huge difference for me and I felt a strong pull toward helping people as a therapist. I decided to go back to school for my master's and then my PhD, and since then, I have really found my calling within the field of Marriage and Family therapy.
What would be important for someone to know about working with you?
I believe I am a very calming force for my clients. I am very easy going and easy to talk to about anything. I laugh a lot and help clients find humor and joy in many difficult situations. I believe that some things in life don't need to be taken so seriously. However, there are times that problems are very serious and very painful, and I feel I am very effective at helping clients process through those emotions and the meaning various situations have to them. There are also times when solutions, change, and self-motivation are necessary to deal with certain situations. I help clients break down the process of change to achievable and logical steps, and then supportively hold them accountable to themselves as they make those changes.
In what ways do your life philosophy and treatment philosophy overlap?
One of the most central philosophies I hold is that compassion changes everything--in marriage, in parenting, and especially in ourselves. So many of the problems we experience from anxiety, to depression, to marital miscommunication, to relationships with our children, to self-medicating (or self-sabotaging) behaviors stem from a lack of compassion and respect. I believe that changing our internal dialogues about ourselves and our self-expectations to be kinder and more forgiving, the more we will fill our lives with the positive, supportive people and situations that we truly deserve. It will be much easier to find joy in life and enhance our relationships with others. As we learn to have compassion for others, we become better listeners, better compromisers, better and effective boundaries, better partners and parents.
Location
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Specialties
Specializes in
General Expertise
DepressionAnxietyWork StressRelationship IssuesLoss/GriefSelf-EsteemSexuality Based IssuesSocial AnxietyADHDAbuse/Survivors of abuseAdolescent mental healthBody image issuesChild mental healthDivorce & separationFamily issuesPost-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)Sex AddictionStep-family/Blended Family IssuesVeterans' issuesCouples
Treatment Approaches
Strength Based TherapyMindfulness PracticesEye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)Family Systems TherapyPerson-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Mindfulness-Based Cognitive TherapyCompassion-Focused TherapyIntegrative TherapyMarriage and Family TherapyPositive Psychology
Clientele
Types of Therapy
Family TherapyCouples CounselingIndividual TherapyChild Counseling
Serves Ages
ParentsYoung Adults (18-24)Adults (25-65)Seniors (65+)Adolescents (13-17)
Languages
English
Professional Background
LicensureUtah, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, 13188885-3902Texas, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, 204937
Training/CertificationsEMDR Training
Education
University of Louisiana at Monroe, Doctorate of Philosophy, Marriage and Family Therapy, 2020 — My studies focused on providing effective systemic therapy to couples, families, and individuals. My dissertation study looked at how MFTs are treating children with ADHD based on current treatment guidelines and their unique family dynamics perspective.
Northcentral University, Master of Arts, Marriage and Family Therapy, 2012
Work HistoryFor the last 12 years, I have been helping couples, families, children and adults overcome many different challenges in their lives. I have lived and worked all over the world and have loved working with such diverse life experiences. My specialty is helping couples overcome difficulties ranging from normal communication and connection problems, to recovering from infidelity, or making the decision to divorce and co-parent. As a family therapist, I work extensively with families (especially parents and teens) trying to improve communication and closeness. Additionally, I am EMDR trained and work with all forms of trauma healing and overcoming negative self-beliefs that lead to self-medicating and self-sabotaging behaviors. I have helped countless individuals address problems such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, and low self-worth using Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, strengths-based and person-centered therapy, as well as looking at how relationships, family, and social situations are impacting one's well-being.
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s not uncommon to have questions before starting therapy.
Dr. Jessica Simons, LMFT, has answered a few of the questions they receive most often from new clients.
Is Jessica Simons accepting new clients?
Yes, Jessica Simons is accepting new clients for online therapy in Utah and Texas and in-person appointments at 513 W 30 S, Ivins, UT, 84738.
Does Jessica Simons accept insurance?
No, Jessica Simons does not accept insurance.
What types of therapy does Jessica Simons offer?
Jessica Simons offers therapy for children, couples, families and individuals.
Does Jessica Simons offer in-person appointments?
Yes, Jessica Simons offers in-person appointments at 513 W 30 S, Ivins, UT, 84738.
Does Jessica Simons offer online therapy?
Yes, Jessica Simons offers online therapy via video sessions and phone sessions to people in Utah and Texas.
How quickly can I see Jessica Simons?
Jessica Simons typically can speak with new clients within 48 hours. You can see their current general office hours and request an appointment on their profile page.
What languages does Jessica Simons speak?
Jessica Simons conducts therapy sessions in English.
Can I book an appointment with Jessica Simons online?
Yes, you can easily book an appointment with Jessica Simons online using ChoosingTherapy.com’s directory.
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