Meet Rachel Sims | Licensed Professional Counselor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rachel Sims and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rachel, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Well, I think my career journey is a perfect example of how development isn’t always linear. I originally wanted to be a teacher and I worked in the public school system for 9 years as a teacher and coach. I found myself counseling more students in between classes, before, and after school. I fell in love with psychology and decided to go back to school to get trained. I fell in love with counseling and therapy and the study of why we “tick”. I graduated with my Masters’s in a year and became a School Counselor in the long process of obtaining my LPC license. (which takes 3,000 intern hours in the State of Texas). So I went into education, counseling, added my professional license, and found my niche in working with couples in private practice. I’m graduating in August with my Doctorate in Marriage and Family Therapy. So, in a way, I’m back to my first love of psychology, just working on it from a more human approach. So I guess if I had a lesson for others here, it would be not to panic when it seems their career goals are taking a detour or veering in the wrong direction. I believe that eventually every experience will be utilized when you actualize your specific goal. I decided to open my own practice so that I could make my own hours, but long term I want to have my business be at the forefront of a down-to-earth, straightforward, sigma-free approach to counseling and therapy. I’ve named my business “Uncomplicated Therapy” for the plain reason that I want therapy or counseling to be Uncomplicated. Therapy to a lot of people is scary, doesn’t know where to start, and can be overwhelming; I want to break those stigmas and make it approachable and obtainable.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
A lot of people get overwhelmed with the thought of therapy. Whether that is hesitation about “getting mental help” or possibly just where to start. The brand and business, “Uncomplicated Therapy” is not only simplified therapy, but it is a therapy that is straightforward and honest.

Our Vision is to break down the stigmas of mental health and give our clients the tools and techniques they need with solution-focused therapy. Solution-focused therapy is a short-term, goal-focused, and evidence-based therapeutic approach that helps clients gain solutions, or in better words “Uncomplicated things” quickly and effectively.

I want future clients to feel confident about coming to therapy or reaching out for Mental Health. My practice is based on the Attachment Theory and focused on Marriage, Relationships, Family, and Individual help.

I’m excited that I have written a book that will come out this Fall of 2021 about Relationship Myths. We all in different stages of our lives have been in relationships of some nature. We have all been told “advice” on different situations from different people in our life. Example. ” Don’t text back for three days”, “Happy wife, happy life.”, “Love should be easy”. The list could go on. My book breaks down 45 myths from different stages of relationships, and the psychology of why the advice you’ve been getting your whole life may not be working out for you. People, it’s time to uncomplicate your love life. Expectations fueled by society’s desire for perfectionism can be reframed. And when well-meaning friends and family impart their wisdom through myths and theories, you can filter out the good from the bad. This book will give you the much-needed tools to finding and keeping love in the modern day.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If you love food, some local, historical fun, and shopping, then this one day in Ft. Worth guide is just for you! Start the day on Magnolia Avenue on the southwest side of town. It’s a small area with restaurants, hotels, and shops. Enjoy coffee at Avoca (a local chain) and then goodies at Stir Crazy Baked Goods. The stockyards is a must on every Ft. Worth Travel Guide. There are two cattle drives daily – 11:30am and 4:00pm. They clear the street moments before and walk the cattle down the street (less than a quarter mile). After the cattle drive, you can head into the shops area for the gunfight (real guns, blank bullets)! There are plenty of shops, saloons, and food joints in the area, but where you have to go for lunch is Joe T. Garcia’a. A dear friend of mine recommended Joe T. Garcia’s to me the second she heard I was heading to Ft. Worth. A family-owned Mexican restaurant, it’s a mainstay and a local favorite. They don’t take reservations or anything besides cash. Upon arrival, pick your line for indoor or outdoor seating – yes, it’s that popular. The indoor seating it usually a shorter wait, but… I suggest sitting outside. They have a beautiful fountain and it’s a wonderful ambiance. An insider tip is that you can go to the outdoor bar just past the host stand to buy margaritas for your party to enjoy while you wait in line! Just remember. Cash only! They have the classic margarita (my preference ) and their special margarita with Grand Marnier (my husband’s pick). Both go down very easily! Also end up with Reta and choose the rooftop table selection. You will have great views of downtown Fort Worth and an excellent menu! If you are looking for a night out definitely have to go to West 7th Avenue for all the local bar spots.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Honestly, the biggest inspiration in my life comes from my family and my significant other. I always joke that my mother, Lisa Young is a natural-born therapist which got me into the business. All seriousness aside she is my rock. She has always been there for my book read-throughs, my social media edits, and late-night calls to tell me that I’m not crazy. (I mean we have all been there right?! lol) I give credit to her for my drive and perseverance in my career as well. Also to my father, sister, and friends that have been there for bouncing ideas, and being my beta reads. I wouldn’t be where I am without them.

My significant other Corey deserves credit as he always jokes that he is “patient zero”. He has been there for my doctoral degree, opening the business, writing a book, and the chaos that goes with it all. More times than not he has been the voice in my head that tells me that it is all achievable and that I’m capable. I’m blessed to have someone who supports my dreams and ambitions.

My counseling supervisor Dr. Okafor and her Dallas-based practice “Oasis Counseling”. I wouldn’t be where I am today without her guidance and direction. She has shown me the in’s and out’s of the Professional Counseling profession as well as taught me so much.

 x

Website: www.uncomplicatedtherapy.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/UncomplicatedTherapy

Twitter: www.twitter.com/Uncomplicated_T

Facebook: www.facebook.com/UncomplicatedTherapy

Image Credits
@gracelandrosephotography