AJ Sims
he/himLicensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Anxiety, Depression, Family Conflict, Grief, Life Transition, Peer Relationships, Social Anxiety
Self pay costs
Out-of-pocket session costs for clients who don’t have insurance or aren’t covered by their insurance for mental health services.
I specialize in working with adolescents and adults navigating life transitions, feelings of anxiety, depression, and relationship concerns. Therapy is an important step towards understanding yourself, honoring the challenges you’ve overcome, and doing the work of becoming the best version of yourself. I believe that everyone should be provided a comfortable space to speak about these challenges and learn tangible skills for continued growth.
I utilize a Person-Centered approach, focusing on your values and wants. A supportive, nonjudgmental space is essential for growth. I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to address negative thought patterns, Attachment theory to explore how family relationships shape how we see ourselves, and mindfulness exercises to build self-acceptance and resilience.
Prioritizing our mental health is one of the greatest gifts that we can give to ourselves and I want to be there to help you on your journey. The process of healing isn’t always linear and I want to be able to walk alongside you in your journey to a better future.
"As Black man, I understand how life’s challenges can disrupt people on their path to self discovery and a fulfilling future. I want to support and empower you to become the best version of yourself."
Why did you decide to become a counselor or psychiatric provider?
The journey to becoming a therapist has been something that I have been working towards for as long as I can remember. In my youth, I dealt with my own mental health challenges and getting the support I needed motivated me to look further into this career so that I could support others dealing with hardship. I have worked with a number of different populations but over time I realized that I wanted to focus on working with individuals that are healing wounds from childhood that may be impacting their day to day lives as well as people that may be struggling with a transition in their life. As a therapist, I am always honored to help others develop essential skills, build confidence, and attain the tools necessary for a more fulfilling life.
What types of clients do you work best with?
I enjoy creating a collaborative therapeutic relationship with clients who are ready to develop healthier coping strategies and strengthen emotional resilience.I have experience working with people from a variety of cultural and ethnic backgrounds and enjoy working with my clients to make meaningful changes in their lives.
What's one thing you wish all clients knew about therapy, mental health, or the healing process?
I want my clients to know that they can gain the tools necessary to create the lives they deserve. This process can take time but it is also the best decision you can make for yourself. These meaningful changes can lead to self discovery and lighten the load of mental distress. Mental health can be so isolating and I want my clients to know that I am an ally in their journey.
What can clients expect in their first session with you and in the early stages of therapy?
The first session is about learning about my clients values and establishing goals to steer the work we will be doing together. It is important that we identify modalities that might fit best for their needs so that we can approach their goals correctly. This is a collaborative process so modalities that we identify in the beginning may be altered to best support the client in the future. I often try to use humor to break the ice because I want this to be a comfortable space to express what changes clients would like to see for themselves.
What personal experiences or values inform your practice as a therapist/provider?
My personal experiences with trauma, loss, and life’s challenges have deeply shaped my approach to therapy. My therapeutic experience includes working with individuals with anxiety, depression, substance use issues, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and those in the midst of life transitions. Every client is a unique individual that is deserving of the chance to get support with whatever they may be going through.
How do you tailor therapy to meet each client’s unique needs?
The initial sessions are where I like to gather information about the clients goals, values, and make a treatment plan. I recognize that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to healing! I want to ensure that we develop meaningful and achievable goals. I want the client to feel a sense of control over the direction we take sessions. I believe in a client’s autonomy and want to make sure that they know that we can make the necessary adjustments to bring about the most success.
- Years in practice
- 4 years
- Graduating institute
- Fordham University
- Graduating degree
- Master of Social Work
