About Dr. Simmering

Dr. Simmering has practiced as a licensed psychologist since 1985. He received his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Oklahoma State University (Stillwater) in 1985 following his pre-doctoral internship at the University of Florida, Gainesville.

He is now offering his professional services to the community in private practice. His extensive training and experience has prepared him well for being able to help individuals, couples, families and organizations with a wide range of issues, challenges and opportunities.

Dr. Simmering, while a generalist in his counseling practice, also specializes in personal adjustment, depression, anxiety, relationship issues, recovery from addictions and eating disorders, couples counseling, phase of life changes, career counseling, coping skills, stress reduction and mindfulness. He also works using systems/organizational dynamics, family dynamics, decision theory, positive psychology, and enjoys educating others on various psychological topics.

His competence as a psychologist comes from his extensive education and abundant experience across a broad range of therapeutic approaches, enabling him to tailor a therapeutic approach to each individual. His practice is informed by many years of clinical practice, many years of consultation to private business and other organizations.  As well Dr. Simmering has advanced certifications in several assessments and learning models including Spiral Dynamics Integral, Process Communication Model (PCM), The Emotional Intelligence inventory, Adventure Based Counseling, Bowen Family Systems.

Dr. Simmering is experienced in working closely with psychiatrists, other physicians, and health providers in providing integrated/coordinated care for each client. He has experience in not only as a clinician/counselor, he has extensive experience in management/leadership roles in organizations and served as advisor to privately held business across the United States.

Dr. Simmering has been active professionally throughout his career, contributing to the field at local, state and national levels. He is a member in the American Psychological Association, the Society of Consulting Psychologists, and other professional organizations.

In his free time, Dr. Simmering loves spending time with his family, particularly pursuing outdoor and nature related experiences.   Dr. Simmering is active in his local church and community as well as serving non-profits organizations.

My Philosophy and Approach

You may also notice that I refer to the people I work with as “clients” rather than “patients”, which illustrates my fundamental philosophical approach of collaborating with clients to help them reach their goals.  I view both consulting and counseling as a ‘working alliance’ that can enable individuals, families, and organizations the opportunity to flourish and grow, often in unexpected ways.

Counseling can be an effective vehicle for growth, adjustment, healing and change. I use an integrated and holistic approach for understanding and helping each client. I integrate a strengths based, positive psychology model into the latest empirically supported theories and treatment approaches. The approach I will use is always holistic, informed by individual, cultural, generational and other forms of diversity. A solid assessment of the individual in one’s own context is the foundation I start with to find effective approaches to help each client achieve their goals. Every client is unique so I tailor my approach to their needs and style. I value and respect each individual and work to establish a healthy and positive collaborative working relationship with each client.

Counseling is not for the faint of heart. What I mean by this is that counseling is an active rather than passive endeavor, and change is the result primarily of the client’s willingness and courage to experience and explore thoughts and feelings, and to consider new thoughts, ideas and behaviors related to themselves and their problems. I help clients work toward new skills, awareness, perspective, experiences, and ways of thinking, feeling, living and coping. I vary my style to the client’s needs at that point in time and phase of therapy.

It’s funny to say it this way, but my goal is to work myself out of a job. This means that when my clients progress enough, they may no longer need counseling, or perhaps only return for counseling intermittently, as needed.

It’s a simple fact that change is going to happen, in ourselves, our relationships and family, and the world around us. Counseling can help our change and response be intentional by helping clarify, identify and strategize how you what to be, what changes or growth you desire, and how to achieve the important things in your life, both now and for your future. In this way, change is based upon a positive vision of our future rather than just a byproduct of random forces acting upon us.

So, please explore my practice, view my credentials and how I work, and if you think this is a good fit for you, call to set up a short phone consultation, where you can ask questions about counseling and we can assess initially if I may be the best fit for you as a therapist.

Consultation and educational services: I do provide consultation services for individuals, families, groups or businesses in order to assist them to identify systematic problems and work to find solutions for their businesses and organizations, often which may involve complexities of family or group dynamics which impede progress, and to help improve the emotional/working environment so all can be more productive and experience better job satisfaction.

Society of Consulting Psychology