This company uses Doxy.me for sessions, which requires certain technological capabilities, such as webcam and internet speed for use. Please review the Doxy.me system requirements page to make sure your set up meets the minimum requirements. *Link at the bottom of this page.*

The first thing you will do is call the company number. You may need to leave a message with your Name, Phone Number, and brief Description of why you are seeking counseling. I will [answer or return your call] and perform a "Screen For Fit".

The Screen For Fit is a free 15-minute phone call where we discuss a bit more about why you are seeking counseling to determine if I am able to help you, or, if I am a good fit. If not, I will provide you with some resources to help you find counseling. If so, then we will first review the fees and technology requirements for my practice. If those are good, I will direct you to the "Client Paperwork" tab to download and complete the Intake Paperwork, and get you scheduled for your first appointment. The Intake paperwork can be printed, or completed on your computer (your signature can be electronic). Paperwork must be reviewed and completed prior to your first appointment. Lastly we'll schedule your first appointment and I will text the Doxy.me link to your phone. If while reviewing the paperwork you decide you do not want to proceed with me, simply send me a text stating you would not like to continue counseling with me, and I will delete your contact information, and cancel your appointment.

The first session will always be on Doxy.me for a video call. Follow-up appointments will either be video on Doxy.me, or audio phone call. There are no in-person appointments. First you will go to doxy.me/ashleysims, enter your name in the box and click "Check In". I recommend clicking on "Test your audio and video" on the right. Then you just wait for me to start the call.

Once I do, the first thing we will do is complete the financial transaction, which can be done via a Payment Link I will send to you by email or text. You can pay ahead of schedule, but I do not recommend doing this, as sometimes tech errors occur and we may need to cancel/reschedule the session unexpectedly, and you might not get a refund for days in this case.

Next you will upload your completed intake paperwork to Doxy (I'll show you how), and we will discuss any questions or concerns you might have.

After that I will do an "Assessment". This is basically many questions about your current living situation, your past, traumas, goals, etc. to help me better understand what caused your current condition and better define what that condition is (anxiety? depression?). I will ask many questions but that does not mean you have to answer all of them, or even have an answer for all of them. Within the assessment we will discuss in more detail what brought you to counseling currently.

Lastly, I will provide you with some Homework to try out between sessions and schedule your next appointment.

Session 2 and all that follow will focus on collectively working towards symptom reduction and better quality of life. We will discuss your goals for therapy and apply therapeutic techniques to work towards achieving those goals. Most of the hour will consist of you talking about your week/feelings/concerns. We may practice some techniques in session together, and I may assign worksheets or activities as homework for the week. If you elect to have Christian-Based counseling, then we may pray together in sessions, review Biblical passages, and I may assign Christian-based homework such as reading a particular Bible passage or praying about something specific for the week.

If at any point you feel you are not benefiting, or if you would like to change your goals, simply tell me and we can readjust the treatment plan to better suit your needs. The goal of therapy is to help you get better, so if there is something I am doing (or not doing) that you don't like, it's ok to tell me. Together we will review what has worked, what has not, and make changes where needed.

As you progress, your sessions may begin to lessen, changing from once a week to once every two weeks, to maybe even once a month. As your sessions lessen, we will begin to discuss ending therapy. We will review your initial goals and confirm whether those goals have been achieved. We will review your coping mechanisms and verify which ones work well for you, and what to do in the event of a relapse. You may find that while you did improve in the issue that brought you to therapy, you now have a new issue you would like to work on. If you share this desire during your final session, then we will create new goals and begin a new path of treatment.

If there is nothing new, then you will need to complete some "Ending Therapy" paperwork, and if you would like, you can download a copy of your file for your records. Legally, I have to hold onto all therapeutic records for a minimum of 7 years after therapy has ended, so if at any point in that time frame you need a copy of your records, just contact me via the company phone number and, after verifying your identity, I will send your records. If you choose to see a different therapist and need your records sent to them, contact me via the company phone number. You will need to sign a "Release of Information" form, and I will need to verify your identity prior to sending your records to the new therapist.

Your contact information will be deleted within 24 hours of your final session. If you decide you want further therapy with me after your final session has ended, then you will need to call the company phone number and fill out Intake Paperwork again. Please note, there is no guarantee that you be able to get an appointment as I may have filled your slot with a different client.