About Amanda Simms

My Story

In my career, I've often had clients ask me, "How did you get into this field? What made you want to become a therapist?". That answer is simple, when I was younger I saw firsthand how people who struggled with various things were often treated differently and needed someone in their corner as an advocate. My father suffered a traumatic brain injury when I was 10 years old and going through this experience, I often saw that he was treated differently and while he was still a wonderful person, people often didn't take the time to discover that because he was different. This both angered me and inspired me to be someone that was there for others during their darkest times.

Professionally, I have continued to be drawn to vulnerable populations such as individuals who are incarcerated or formerly incarcerated, those struggling with addictions, women who were struggling to be everything for everyone, and the LGBTQIA+ community. Working with the LGBTQIA+ community gained a special place in my heart and practice, leading ultimately to pursuing research and publication in how to more effectively offer services to the community and understand their lived experiences.

My approach to therapy is realistic, collaborative, and laidback with a healthy dose of humor infused. Clients have often told me they value the sense of warmth and comfort they feel when working with me, while also feeling as if they are taking action to address their identified issues. If you'd like to work with me, please feel free to reach out and schedule a free 15 minute consultation. I look forward to meeting you!

Associations:

American Counseling Association
Tennessee Counseling Association
Smoky Mountain Counseling Association
Association for Counselor Education and Supervision
Southern Association for Counselor Education and Supervision
Tennessee Association for Counselor Education and Supervision
Tennessee Licensed Professional Counselors Association
Chi Sigma Iota
Phi Kappa Phi
Omicron Delta Kappa
Golden Key International Honour Society

See My Services

"Success is not final; failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts."
— Winston S. Churchill

“Keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet on the ground.”
― Theodore Roosevelt

“Do not stop thinking of life as an adventure. You have no security unless you can live bravely, excitingly, imaginatively; unless you can choose a challenge instead of competence.”
― Eleanor Roosevelt

“Nature has given us all the pieces required to achieve exceptional wellness and health, but has left it to us to put these pieces together.”—Diane McLaren.

Difficult Roads Often Lead to Beautiful Destinations. -Zig Ziglar

My Education & Experience

I graduated from the University of Tennessee Knoxville in 2008 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. I continued my graduate education also at the University of Tennessee Knoxville, graduating with a Master of Science in Counseling in December 2009.

At that point, I began working in the field. I gained experience in various settings including crisis stabilization for this with suicidal or homicidal thoughts, individuals requiring inpatient detox from substances, children requiring inpatient hospitalization, individuals with severe and persistent mental illness, geriatric population requiring skilled nursing care, individuals who were currently or formerly incarcerated, and individuals requiring treatment for addictions after completing a detox program.

After working in the field for several years and obtaining my license as an LPC-MHSP in TN, I decided to return to the University of Tennessee Knoxville and obtained my PhD in Counselor Education. During this course of study I published in the area of Gender Dysphoria, completed research with the LGBTQIA+ community, and also obtained a cultural studies certificate in addition to the PhD.

I currently hold a license five states: TN, MA, WI, MS, and UT. Additionally, I am an approved telehealth provider in FL. If you would like to see if we'd be a good fit to work together, please reach out for a free 15 minute consultation!

My Story

"Success is not final; failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts."— Winston S. Churchill

“Keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet on the ground.” ― Theodore Roosevelt

“Do not stop thinking of life as an adventure. You have no security unless you can live bravely, excitingly, imaginatively; unless you can choose a challenge instead of competence.”― Eleanor Roosevelt