Kimi Simms

Growing up, I felt very isolated because I was a half-Japanese child growing up in a predominantly white community. When I was young, I didn’t understand why I was treated differently or why people would constantly ask my Caucasian mom where I was adopted from. Living a life full of questions like “What are you?” “Where are you from...originally?” and being told that I wasn’t able to play with other kids in the community because I was “different” and being bullied because I looked different, really encouraged me to seek more understanding of the world. Throughout my development I found solace in learning more about human relationships, and exploring what I thought about myself, my values, and my hope for what my life could be, rather than allowing the judgements of others to drive my behavior and thoughts of myself. Learning about intersectionality, racism, microaggressions, implicit bias, and social justice changed my life. I know that psychoeducation, compassion, curiosity, and challenging shame can change lives.

Kimi is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Illinois and Utah. Kimi has a Master’s of Social Work from The Ohio State University and provides evidence-based treatments through EMDR, IFS, ACT, MI, DBT, CBT, TF-CBT, shame-informed therapy, and a self-compassion focus. Kimi has completed Level 1 Training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy, and she uses Gottman Method Couples Therapy in her work. Before becoming an outpatient therapist Kimi has worked in community mental health, hospital settings, and has intensive training in acute care, suicidal ideation and self-harming assessment and treatment, and crisis intervention.

Throughout our lives, we are taught how to be a good friend, a good family member, and to be kind and considerate to others. Unfortunately, people often are not taught how to be nice to oneself. As a therapist, I strive to assist clients in self-exploration and self-compassion and working towards self-acceptance. The real change starts with us as individuals. Once we start to take care of ourselves, and make those steps towards internal healing, there is a ripple effect towards improving our relationships with others. All parts of us are important, especially those parts of us we want to avoid and reject. My areas of expertise involve healing from trauma. I have specialized in compassion, shame-informed therapy, and working with those that want better relationships with themselves and others.