About
Olga Simons
LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker)
MSSW (Master of Science in Social Work)
Hakomi Trained
PACT trained couples therapist
EMDR trained trauma therapist
Licensed Mediator (Family & CPS)
Parenting Facilitator/Parenting Coordinator
ABOUT ME
I am a psychotherapist in private practice in Austin, TX. I am credentialed as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Texas and work with individuals, couples and
families. I have a Masters of Science in Social Work from the University of Texas at
Austin and have been practicing psychotherapy and counseling since 2008. I
completed a three-year training in the Hakomi Method of Body-Centered
Psychotherapy this year. Hakomi uses mindfulness and involves the body, mind,
spirit and emotion to gently bring your attention within and to focus on the present
moment experience. Hakomi is helpful in shifting long held core beliefs that may
prevent you from experiencing life as fully and happily as you desire. I am also trained in EMDR as a modality to work with trauma. I am trained in couples therapy utilizing PACT (read more about these modalities below.)
Hablo y escribo español ya que es mi primer idioma. Por favor llaméme a 512-900-8397 para una cita para consejería. I am able to work with clients in English and Spanish fluently.
MY APPROACH
My approach is based on the experience that growth develops when we better understand ourselves and when we learn to make choices and take actions that lead to more freedom and lasting positive change. Based on your goals, I take an interactive role in helping to develop both insight and new behaviors. I actively listen to your concerns, with sensitivity, without judgment. I bring an open and accepting presence to our collaborative work, honoring each person as a unique individual. If you decide to come to my office, you will find a safe and comfortable space for exploring and discovering. I encourage clients to experiment with new behaviors and attitudes; this encouragement sometimes includes homework between sessions. Your feedback is a welcome and vitally important part of our work together. Depending on your goals and the nature of your difficulties, we will decide together whether a brief therapy approach is best or whether a more open-ended one would be appropriate. Brief therapy, which usually lasts from three months to a year, works best when you feel relatively stable in your life and want to focus on one or two specific areas. Open-ended therapy allows for a broader focus and a deeper level of exploration with ample time for many themes to emerge.
EXPERIENCE, QUALIFICATIONS & CREDENTIALS
My formal education and work experience has prepared me to counsel individuals, groups, couples, and families. I have gained experience in counseling individuals, adolescents and parents with a variety of mental health concerns. I also have spent several years gaining expertise providing mindfulness based counseling (Hakomi) to clients interested in this person-centered approach. I was initially trained in Cognitive Behavioral and Solution Focused Therapy and have an eclectic psychotherapeutic approach. I also have extensive training in alternative conflict resolution and relationship work.
I am a psychotherapist licensed in the state of Texas as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (License #54401) by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Social Workers (http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/socialwork/sw_search.shtm). I attended The University of Texas at Austin where I earned a Bachelor of Science in Sociology and a Masters of Science in Social work.
Click through these links for more information about Hakomi (http://hakomiinstitutesouthwest.com/), CBT (https://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Treatment/Psychotherapy ), Solution Focused Therapy (http://www.solutionfocused.net/what-is-solution-focused-therapy/) and alternative conflict resolution. PACT (https://thepactinstitute.com/dividedpage/what-is-pact/) EMDR (http://www.emdr.com/what-is-emdr/