I am a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. I have been licensed in Kentucky since 1997. I am also licensed in Ohio. I am a Board Certified -TeleMental Health Provider. My professional experience is eclectic and wide ranging. I have worked with a diverse range of populations and issues and I have expertise in areas ranging from anxiety and depression to post traumatic stress disorder. I have worked extensively with trauma from physical and sexual abuse, family and relationship issues, parenting problems and LGBTQ issues. I have significant experience working with the military. I have done education and career counseling. My counseling style is based on unconditional positive regard, which means that I always come from a strength- based perspective. My clients will be treated with respect and genuine care, compassion and concern. We will work together to create goals and find solutions. I also consider myself to be a holistic counselor, which means I try to focus on the whole person (mind, body and spirit.) "The part can never be well unless the whole is well." - Plato. My favorite quote from Maya Angelou says "My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style." MY mission is to help you find the best way to overcome and thrive in YOUR life. Together we can make that a reality.

Hello and welcome! *Please Note* I only provide messaging and live chat. I do not provide audio or video sessions at this time. If you need a service that is different than I provide, please click the change counselor button or let me know how I can best help you find what you need. My name is Erica Patton Simpson and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) specializing in brain-based treatments and trauma resolution in Kentucky, where I provide timely assistance to individuals and couples facing events that cause a disruption in healthy functioning. I am so glad you are here with me and I look forward to walking this journey with you. I have known since I was very young that I had a desire to help others. I suffered trauma growing up and spent much of the last 25 years focusing on the casualty of the symptoms experienced as opposed to just the symptoms themselves, which may include anxiety, depression, mood disturbances, lack of focus, relational issues, and overall poor or below level functioning. I found by learning even more about the ways in which trauma affects you neurologically, mentally, emotionally and physically, it became even more important for me to give back the knowledge I had gained to help others. I am certified in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), which is an innovative treatment in brain-based therapy used for trauma resolution and performance enhancement, which involves brain disregulation including anxiety-depression spectrum, attention deficits, behavior disorders, PTSD and emotional trauma disturbances. Since launching my career more than 20 years ago, I have earned a reputation for possessing a proven ability to enter traumatic scenarios and defuse them quickly and discreetly. My personal therapeutic approach is to return my clients to optimal functioning by quickly minimizing psychological stress, reducing emotional barriers, addressing unresolved trauma, identifying unhealthy influences, and ultimately helping to develop the skills needed to live your life without the stressors you currently face - all within the therapeutic process. As an expert in trauma and human systems, I can work in short, intensive sessions to prevent and manage crises or in a less intensive treatment modality as you journey through your recovery to optimal health. As a result, together we can create lives filled with purpose and joy as highly functional individuals and couples.

Hello! If you're reading this, you may be experiencing an array of different feelings and emotions. Maybe you have found yourself in a mood you cannot describe, feelings you do not know how to express, and with behaviors you cannot explain. Maybe you have found yourself at a loss for words when some asks you, "What is wrong?" or "Why are you acting this way?" Maybe that someone asking is...yourself. So, here you are, exploring Better Help with the hope to find someone that you connect with, that may be able to listen, understand, and give you the help you are searching for to navigate some of life's challenges that have been thrown your way. A good relationship between you and your therapist is needed for you to achieve the changes you wish to see and the meet the goals you set. I'd like to give you a little information about myself to help you decide if my experiences and therapy style make me that person for you. I am a licensed clinical social worker in the state of Kentucky where I have been working in the social work field for the last 10 years, providing individual and group therapy, mentorship, and advocacy to adults and children. In my time providing services I have worked with people from all walks of life struggling with a wide variety of challenges. Much of my experience has been helping those with complaints of; depression, anxiety, insomnia, trauma, substance abuse, grief, and problems with poor self-esteem/self-worth. My therapy style is warm, empathic, empowering, and patient specific. I best describe my therapeutic approach as a combination of behavioral and psychodynamic. I recognize there are situations that a short-term approach is needed and times when a long-term approach may be best. With that in mind some types that may be used are; cognitive-behavioral, person-centered, humanistic, interpersonal psychotherapy, and rational-emotive therapy. Your treatment is exactly that, "your treatment" and together we will tailor the treatment to fit your specific needs. I understand that asking for help and committing to making a change is not easy to do. However, I came across a quote years ago that stuck with me and I repeat to myself, and others, often; "If you are ready to change, you will find a way....if not, you will find an excuse." If today is the day you decide you are ready and want to begin down a new path in this thing called life, just know I am here. I look forward to working with you!

"Empathy is a relationship between equals." -Paolo Freire Human behavior when placed in context yet has ripples; however, too has quiet the flow, beauty, and reason to it. The behaviors manifest sometimes merely for the chronic quest of hanging on to survive, staying attached to that one person, or perhaps adopting humor to make others smile. The science of human attachment has interested me since I could remember. Attaching to folks around us, to ourselves, and to the world at large, is a profound process / journey that shapes multiple entities of our internal world. My undergraduate careers were based on the neuro make-up of *how* we actually feel emotions and bodily sensations through the nervous systems. After receiving my master's degree, I served folks 5-years old to end-of-life in settings of community mental health, juvenile detention centers, therapeutic foster care, private practice, geriatric wellness-assisted living facilities, medical social worker, and insurance contracted therapist. Before becoming a licensed clinical social worker, I served 14-years in the U.S. Army in various entities to include active duty, reserves, and the national guard to which I then went to serve as a contractor with the U.S. Navy. Often times, my therapy style has been described as integrative, analytical, yet simple. Discovering the "roots" or "drivers" of behavior(s) is the analysis part of which I really love doing. I wholeheartedly believe in an environment of free expression, essentially feeling like you are "vibing" with your therapist, so please be authentic. Giving you time and attention is my goal while effectively inviting you to think/do therapeutic considerations (I never offer advice, only "invitations"--due to mindful practice and you being the expert of your mind & body). I am trained in various models, approaches, concepts and I try to utilize as many as I can in each session when appropriate to effectively assist where I can. That said, I am one that does use a "here and then" (present & past) approach to treatment to assist with managing symptoms. Further, I authentically try to balance sensitivity (handling folks with care) while then assisting with growth. Undergoing therapy is not always an easy ride, there might be sessions where uncomfortable thoughts/feelings arise. With such, please know that it is my job to never leave you in an "emotional uneasy" place. Your job is to communicate those thoughts/feelings to me--even if it's in one sentence when those uneasy times come so I know. As posted by BetterHelp, this is not a mental health crisis service. This chat portal will not be monitored for crises. For mental health crises, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room. Please ask any question(s) you might have about this policy before starting services.

I enjoy working with individuals and families interested in creating changes, while receiving necessary support. I assist clients in reaching short and long term personalized goals using traditional and nontraditional approaches to address depression, anxiety, trauma, and issues of abuse. In taking a holistic approach to wellness I work within all aspects of life to bring about personal and family growth and development. If you're feeling emotionally stuck, or consumed with no sense of direction, let us work together to make pertinent life changes.

Finally considering therapy? Great! I have many years of experience as a trauma focused therapist. My client demographic is highly variable as I enjoy seeing all humans thrive and be able to experience peace and joy. I work with adults and children, individuals and couples, servicemembers and LGBTQAI. I am strengths-based with conscientious focus on religious trauma and sexual assault survivorship. I hold an M.Ed in Counseling and Human Services and am pursuing a PhD in Clinical Sexology. I am a safe person to objectively hear your prior trauma and events for which you might carry guilt shame. It's time for you to let go and be free...the freedom to lead a reasonably happy life. (Note, I do not write letters for LOA)

I am licensed in Kentucky with 9 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, coping with grief and loss, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

I am licensed in Kentucky with 6 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, coping with grief and loss, & parenting issues. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

I am licensed in Kentucky with 14 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

I am licensed in Kentucky with 10 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with relationship issues, coping with grief and loss, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & coping with life changes. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

I am a licensed clinical social worker with over 15 years of experience in helping people find solutions to their problems. Over the years, I have been told by clients that they really feel that I am listening to them and trying to understand what is going on in their lives and how they feel. Clients have also told me that they do not feel any sense of judgment, but rather that I accept them for who they are and where they are in their life’s journey. My style is empathetic and solution focused. I will spend time asking you questions in order to get to know you and try to find out what is at the heart of your issue. Together, we will talk about possible avenues you may want to take, or changes you may want to consider. I may give you some “homework” assignments…things to write out or think about, worksheets to complete, or even techniques/exercises to practice in your own time so that some of what we discuss in our sessions is reinforced. Most of all, I will be an objective listener, helping you to gain insight into what is going on with you, so that you are able to make the choices and changes you want to, in your own time. I look forward to working with you!

I am licensed in Kentucky, Louisiana and Washington with over 15 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with grief and loss, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & depression. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

I am licensed in Kentucky with 3 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with anxiety, relationship issues, trauma & women's issues. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

I am licensed in Kentucky with 11 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, parenting issues, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & depression. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

I am a Licensed Independent Social Worker and obtained my Master’s from Ohio University. I also obtained my Bachelor’s of Social Work at Ohio University as well. I have a background working with adults in a hospital psychiatric setting, working with adults in an outpatient/private practice setting, and assisting families with grief therapy in a Hospice setting. I utilize different techniques from client-centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, solutions-focused approach, and mindfulness techniques to meet the needs of the individual or family. I have experience working with clients who experience behavioral issues, depression, anxiety, complicated grief, and family issues. I understand that each client, family, and couple is going through their own unique difficulties and works to meet them “where they are” to address their concerns/issues. I focus on finding solutions and providing techniques to assist each client with meeting their goals. I feel that being empathetic, accepting, and non-judgmental is essential to ensure each client feels comfortable in the therapeutic relationship/process. Specialties: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Adjustment Disorders, Anxiety, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Couples Counseling, Depression, Family Issues, Grief Counseling/Bereavement, Mood Disorders, Pain Management, Parenting Education, Self-Harming, and Stress Management.