Meredith Simmons

I love helping clients get unstuck. We become stuck for a variety of reasons: we become stuck because of previous trauma we hold in our bodies; we become stuck because we believe things to be true about ourselves that are not true; we become stuck because we’ve outgrown old coping strategies; we can also become stuck when we suppress emotions or tell ourselves that certain emotions are not OK. We can even get stuck in our “thinking brain” (the prefrontal cortex), so I use a trauma-informed approach called Brainspotting to access healing at the deepest subcortical level, the “feeling brain.” I am also influenced by Experiential Therapy, Attachment Theory, and Internal Family Systems (IFS) as I help clients identify how they are stuck and what it means to be free. 

More specifically, I see clients of all ages for a variety of reasons, but especially enjoy reducing anxiety, navigating life-transitions, battling inner perfectionism, building self-esteem, and processing trauma and grief. I have a special interest in perinatal clients experiencing symptoms of postpartum anxiety, postpartum OCD, and postpartum depression. Despite the blessing of a new life, parents can be left with feelings of inadequacy, exhaustion, incompetency, depression, fear, and shame for even having those feelings. Prioritizing mental health is the best gift new parents can give to their baby.

I am open to integrating clients’ faith into the therapeutic process upon their request. I identify as a Christian and believe we are all spiritual beings. Spirituality is a vital part of life, and what that means to everyone is different. I approach my clients’ beliefs, culture, and customs from a place of curiosity and respect.

Prior to becoming a therapist, I received my Bachelor’s degree in English from Washington and Lee University in 2001 and hold a Masters’ degree from Mercer University’s School of Medicine. I currently work under direct supervision of Erika Pluhar, PhD, Eds, LMFT, LPC, CST-S, ACS.