Kathryn SimonsLCSW

The person who is looking for help is in the driver's seat while developing treatment goals. My job is to help in the process of identifying the problem or problems,

Most people have experienced some type of trauma in their lives. Depending on the severity and extent, trauma can shape relationships, responses to stress, and how people feel about themselves. This is not something unique to any one population or socioeconomic group. Teachers, nurses, doctor's lawyers, and other professionals may have the drive and determination to achieve career goals and success, but also could be struggling in other areas of their lives, chalking it up to the demands or stress of their professions. Parents with a job and kids might struggle to communicate when angry, leading to further conflict and strained relationships. A lot of people push any problems or struggles they have off on normal stressors or responsibilities. The first step in changing something is acknowledging it is a problem. And that can be a difficult first step for many people who feel protective of themselves or struggle to be open to the idea that things can be different. Too often, people express feeling like things are "good enough", or that their problems are not any different than what other people experience. And I see that there is not a lot of hope that ingrained patterns can change. When people realize that there is meaning behind their reactions and difficulties; they feel empowered to make changes. The adage that you can't teach an old dog new tricks does not apply to healing from a history of trauma. Science shows that the brain can create new pathways and with repeated use of tools and skills learned in therapy, gaining better control over emotions is a very real possibility. When trauma happens during key developmental periods in our lives, it can disrupt healthy responses to stress, leaving us feeling out of control or overwhelmed when confronted with real or perceived threats to our well-being. This includes getting the side-eye, having someone cut you off in their car, or being left out of social events. The brain does not differentiate between what is a big deal, and what is best les

• New York, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, 087473

I started working in social services in 2003 as a child protective investigator in the state of Florida. After realizing that there was more I could do to help with a degree, I went back to school and got my Social Work Master's Degree. During my master's program, I spent a summer at the London School of Economics. While there, I was linked to mental health and child-serving agencies and I was offered a job in the United Kingdom when I graduated. Working in a different country was an eye-opening experience and one I believe helped shape my professional ethics and values. Although it was a rewarding experience, I decided to move back to the United States and worked in a psychiatric crisis evaluation program at a local emergency department. This position offered me the opportunity to have experience working with different populations, gaining a better grasp on diagnosis and treatment, and finding ways to communicate during crises. From there, I spent four years in a maximum-security prison. As a social worker. I worked with inmates in the Special Housing Unit, and with the seriously mentally ill as part of their release from prison. This was truly a unique opportunity and what led me towards the path of becoming Trauma Informed. It was rare to meet an inmate without a history of trauma. Each of their lives was shaped by their experiences. Ultimately, I decided to work towards helping people resolve their histories of trauma, and work to create new ways of working through problems and managing stress. For the past seven years, I have worked with adolescents and their families. Sometimes it is individual, other sessions are family therapy. I have found that many of the parents I work with have their own histories of trauma that lead them to inadvertently repeat patterns from their childhoods. My focus now is on helping adults who may not realize the impact their experiences and interactions have had on their relationships, emotions, and responses to stress.