Today we’d like to introduce you to Monique Simon.
Hi Monique, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Growing up in Texas, I watched both of my parents be educators. You see things as children but don’t understand the impact until you get older. My dad taught at a High School and coached the football team. I observed him not only coaching but mentoring the young men on his team who would struggle with attendance to school, grades, and defiance.
Years went by, and my family moved to CA in 2001. I turned 16, and a requirement in my household was to work. My father shifted careers and worked for a Law Firm as an Investigator for cases and the Property Manager. So naturally, he provided an opportunity for me to work there too. I got a position as an Administrative Assistant in the Accounting Department and assisted with their Non-Profit Organization, The Hafif Family Foundation. This non-profit organized summer events in efforts to fundraise for over 120 Non-Profit Organizations throughout Los Angeles County. During the ten years that I worked here, I finally understood the impact that support provides others. I was on a holiday gift drop off to a Women’s Shelter when it finally hit me as I watched their children happily open the donated gifts. The difference from those children in TX versus me was my family. Both my parents being fully supportive, loving, and present, that made all of the difference in my life and my opportunities.
I was approaching college age and knew I wanted to help others, but was still uncertain as to how. Should I become an educator like my parents or find a new path? As I sat across from my college counselor and we looked at my courses, I decided to declare my major in Psychology, knowing I would need to continue my education with a Master’s Degree. I graduated in 2015 with a Master of Science in Marriage Family Therapy from the University of Laverne and began my first years of practice working with adolescent boys in a group home, then working with previously incarcerated women in a substance abuse treatment center, and finally once Licensed transitioning to a Group Practice in Los Angeles in 2020 working with individual adults.
The year is now 2023, and I opened my own Private Practice, Simon Therapy. In my Practice, I create an empathetic, educational, and honest environment for clients to heal. I currently work with Individual Adults struggling with Depression, Anxiety, and PTSD. In the eight years of Practicing, I have learned a lot about human nature and, ultimately the impacts of our family systems on our mental health. I love what I do and always can reflect on what life experiences and exposures guided me to becoming a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
When you are in graduate school, you hear the professors constantly speak about defining your niche of practice. What population do you want to work with, what pathologies do you want to focus on, and how do you want to practice. All of these questions really cannot be determined until you practice. So, my plan post-grad was to work with all ages, settings, and pathologies to truly understand my niche. I began my career working with children, which I quickly understood was a heavy emotional burden on me. Hearing the trauma that these young children had endured caused me to mentally take my work home. I transitioned to working with previously incarcerated women but also endured the emotional toll of hearing horrific trauma that they had experienced.
As I approached completing my hours to finally become Licensed, I was unsure if Therapy was a direction I wanted to continue in. The vicarious trauma that you endure as a Therapist can be a heavy burden. But, upon becoming Licensed, I was able to access a different population that had less intense trauma histories, which provided me with the mental endurance to continue growing my love for the practice of Therapy again. I don’t regret any of those that I’ve helped over the years, and I appreciate the emotional muscle that I was able to acquire in being witness to their pain. Now, I can reflect on these stories of my clients and it provides me with an optimistic outlook on my own life and immense empathy for others. I no longer look at life through a pinhole, I’ve peaked behind the curtain, and know it’s made me a more compassionate human being.
We’ve been impressed with Simon Therapy, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
As a Therapist, I pride myself on being aware of people’s unique qualities and characteristics. I am empathetic, structured, honest, and challenge my clients so that their progress is observable and empowering. I understand that life gets complicated sometimes, and it feels like there are issues clients cannot resolve on their own, so that’s where I come in. As a Therapist I want my client’s experience to be insightful, healing and supportive so that they can grow and resolve their issues independently. I have experience working with all age groups; however, my primary focus is therapy with adults. I have expertise addressing the following problems: depression, anxiety, PTSD, ADD/ADHD, communication challenges, low self-esteem, work stress, relational concerns, familial issues, interpersonal issues, LGBTQ concerns, and diversity/social justice issues.
I specialize in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and I also incorporate mindfulness and strengths-based modalities. I work with all races of clients; however, I find that being a Black Female Therapist is a strength, as it provides a space of safety for minority clients whom historically shy away from Mental Health treatment due to the taboo nature of seeking help. I collaborate with Alma so that I can provide Therapy to insurance and cash-based clients as I feel therapy is a resource to all should have access to. You can find me on Psychology Today or the Alma platform to read about me and schedule a consultation.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
For any person who is interested in becoming a Therapist, I would recommend volunteering for Non-Profit organizations to get a better understanding of your community, the types of challenges people face, and general exposure to hardships before committing to a degree in the field. In terms of working once you get the degree, being open to all populations as it allows you to be more well-rounded as a Therapist. Finally, in starting your own Private Practice, understand how to market yourself in a way that feels congruent to your experience and have a supportive network of clinicians to reach out to.
Pricing:
- I take the following insurance: Aetna, United, Cigna, Oscar
- Cash Pay Rate: $160
Contact Info:
- Website: https://secure.helloalma.com/providers/monique-simon/
- Instagram: @msimonlmft
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/msimonlmft
- Other: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/monique-nicole-simon-los-angeles-ca/1059469
Image Credits
Carter Hafif
