Jessica Simons

Unfortunately, infidelity is becoming more and more common in relationships--but it doesn't have to be the end of the relationship. I have worked with many couples over the years who have not only healed from one or both spouses cheating (emotionally or sexually), but have gone on to have a deeper, more connected, and more meaningful relationship. It takes time and it definitely helps to have a therapist--but there is hope and healing after an affair!

Children often act out stress between their parents. I have treated many children with what seemed like anxiety or ADHD, but, in fact, were triangulated between two feuding parents. This is horribly unfair and unhealthy for children--and can cause long-term psychological damage. The greatest gift you can give your child is to co-parent effectively--whether still married or divorced. Learn to communicate kindly, let go of power struggles, and put the children's well-being first.

Children often act out stress between their parents. I have treated many children with what seemed like anxiety or ADHD, but, in fact, were triangulated between two feuding parents. This is horribly unfair and unhealthy for children--and can cause long-term psychological damage. The greatest gift you can give your child is to co-parent effectively--whether still married or divorced. Learn to communicate kindly, let go of power struggles, and put the children's well-being first.

Family conflict includes couples conflict and parent/child conflict. Children thrive the most in calm, peaceful environments because they absorb their parent's personal and relational stress--and then often act out or experience their own mental health issues. First, couples must learn to connect and communicate to create a safe space and home for the children. Next each parent must learn to communicate and build strong bonds with each child. These steps will have long-lasting positive effects!

Family conflict includes couples conflict and parent/child conflict. Children thrive the most in calm, peaceful environments because they absorb their parent's personal and relational stress--and then often act out or experience their own mental health issues. First, couples must learn to connect and communicate to create a safe space and home for the children. Next each parent must learn to communicate and build strong bonds with each child. These steps will have long-lasting positive effects!

My doctoral degree specialized in understanding how, as individuals, we are highly shaped by our family of origin, and we tend to replicate and play out many of those patterns (for better or for worse) throughout our lives and in our current relationships. I always help clients understand how they're self-beliefs and understanding of relationships have been inherently impacted by the family situation in which they were raised. This comprehension can help make deliberate changes moving forward.

I work within an Integrative Behavioral Couples Therapy model where I help improve attachment, communication, intimacy--but also very much focus on each spouse learning to more compassionately accept themselves and their spouses for who they are. I help each partner understand the unhealthy patterns in the relationship that BOTH have contributed to the problem. We look at how changing behaviors and thoughts in those situations can create new, healthier patterns and connections.

The goal of therapy is to change your thinking and actions to be more in line with the healthy, happy life you want to live--so technically, all therapy is some sort of CBT. I use traditional CBT to help clients see negative thinking, and the way they often self-sabotage with repetitive behaviors--some of them so ingrained that the client doesn't even see what they are doing! I work toward changing these thought/action patterns and replacing them with empowering choices.