Dr. Amanda Simms, LPC, LCMHC
Stress, Anxiety
Self esteem
Depression
Coping with life changes
Video
Phone
Live Chat
Messaging
About me
Hello! I am very excited to serve as your therapist in this journey you have decided to take.
I currently hold a PhD in Counselor Education in addition to a Master of Science in Counseling and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, all from the University of Tennessee Knoxville. In addition, I am currently a Licensed Professional Counselor – Mental Health Service Provider in Tennessee and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Massachusetts. I hold the National Certified Counselor credential with the Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor specialty designation. I am also a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. I have over ten years of experience with individual counseling, group counseling, family counseling, and addictions counseling primarily with adults.
My theoretical orientation to counseling is primarily based in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with influence from Reality Therapy. I believe that a person’s experience with the world is primarily influenced by the way they think about and perceive the world. If a person’s thinking is distorted, they will engage in behaviors which create distress for them or difficulties in navigating their day to day life in a healthy, well-adjusted manner. In my view, counseling works when we are able to work with clients and identify patterns in their thinking which are influencing their behaviors in such a way that creates difficulties for them. More than just identifying the problematic thinking, I believe that taking concrete action to change these thought processes and behaviors will allow the clients to lead a more fulfilling and healthy life. I pull on reality therapy, however, when examining the client’s current disconnection from those in their life. I believe that people are inherently social creatures that need connection with others and that disconnection can also cause problems. By combining CBT and reality therapy, I believe we can identify and help you to not only change distorted thinking and problematic behaviors, but also how these issues are creating disconnection in their lives. My primary focus in counseling is on what action the client can immediately take to begin seeing a difference in their life.
Professional experience
13yrs in practice
Additional areas of focus: Addictions, LGBT, Trauma and abuse, Parenting issues, Anger management, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Antisocial Personality, Co-morbidity, Commitment Issues, Communication Problems, Control Issues, Drug and Alcohol Addiction, First Responder Issues, Gender Dysphoria, Guilt and Shame, Isolation/Loneliness, Jealousy, Life Purpose, Midlife Crisis, Money and Financial Issues, Mood Disorders, Obsessions, Compulsions, and OCD, Panic Disorder and Panic Attacks, Personality Disorders, Self-Love, Social Anxiety and Phobia, Women's Issues, Workplace Issues
Clinical approaches: Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy
License information
WI LPC 10188-125
UT LCMHC 12892117-6004
MS LPC 2870
TN LPC 3517
MA LMHC 12750-MH-CC
Reviews
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Dr. Amanda Simms. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
“southern comfort “
Written on Jun 22, 2022 after therapy with Amanda for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, anger management, career difficulties, bipolar disorder, coping with life changes, and adhd
Dr. Simms was a phenomenal listener and was the objective 3rd Party that I was looking for to help me talk through higher stress episodes in my life. I'm thankful for her time and appreciate the tools she provided.
Written on May 26, 2022 after therapy with Amanda for 2 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, intimacy-related issues, sleeping disorders, parenting issues, self esteem, career difficulties, coaching, and adhd
Amanda was the best therapist I’ve had on better help! I hate to see her go. Would recommend to anyone!
Written on Jan 16, 2022 after therapy with Amanda for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, eating disorders, self esteem, and career difficulties
Dr. Simms is the 3rd therapist I’ve tried. I was about to give up on counseling all together because I couldn’t find the right fit, but I decided to give it one more shot and I am so glad I did! With Dr. Simms I feel like I’m chatting with an old friend while getting the best help with mental health I have ever found. I do not feel judged or like someone is simply listening to me to assess what I’m doing “wrong” while combating issues with mental health. She really helps me talk things through and gives me a lot of different tools to combat depression/bi polar episodes. I’ve never felt better!
Written on Dec 14, 2021 after therapy with Amanda for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, and bipolar disorder
Dr. Simms is great at what she does. I was going through a breakup, and she helped me sort through my thoughts and emotions and reset myself in the direction I needed to be going. Thanks Dr. Simms!
Written on Dec 08, 2021 after therapy with Amanda for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, grief, self esteem, coaching, and adhd
Dr. Simms is great and I’m very comfortable with her and BetterHelp!
Written on Oct 10, 2021 after therapy with Amanda for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, self esteem, and coping with life changes