LGBT therapists in Springfield, MA

You know what you want to accomplish, but getting started or staying on track can feel harder than it should. Whether you're managing ADHD, anxiety, panic attacks, or feeling stuck in unhelpful patterns, I'm here to help you understand what's getting in the way and build strategies that work in your everyday life. I work with adults 18+ and provide a supportive, affirming space where you can gain insight, strengthen your confidence, and make meaningful, lasting changes.

I’m Amanda, and I became a therapist because I believe everyone deserves a place where they can show up exactly as they are. I bring warmth, authenticity, and even a bit of humor into the room when it feels right. I want you to feel genuinely seen—not judged—and supported in whatever you’re working through.

I’ve been in the counseling field for over 15 years and hold a PhD in Counselor Education from the University of Tennessee. My experience ranges from private practice and telehealth to correctional mental health, hospitals, and leadership roles in community programs. A. Simms Resume copy

I work with adults experiencing mood challenges, anxiety, identity concerns, life transitions, and LGBTQIA+ experiences, as well as individuals who are justice-involved or adjusting to major life changes. My approach integrates CBT, ACT, and Reality Therapy, giving us room to explore both deeper patterns and practical skills.

Clients describe me as encouraging, steady, and real—someone who helps them feel grounded and capable while taking meaningful steps toward a more balanced and authentic life.

I have always known I wanted to be a therapist. From a young age I was empathic, patient, validating, comforting, flexible, and trustworthy. I believe that these were attributes that my friends and family seek me out for advice or to vent.

I studied psychology at Ithaca College and then worked for 4 years in foster care and group homes in NJ and NYC. Then, I moved to Boston and got my masters in mental health counseling at UMass Boston. Since graduating, I have worked in a wide variety of mental health environments; programs, schools, community based mental health, and virtual therapy platforms.

I am someone who is passionate about helping others and making everyone I meet feel heard, seen, and empowered.

I believe that therapy can have a great impact on one's life. If one is motivated, one can resolve problems, feel better, and address past hardships. I have over thirty years of experience helping clients achieve their goals in a supportive and safe environment. I am fluent in both English and Spanish. I received my undergraduate degree from Stanford University and my Masters of Social Work from Columbia University. I have resided in both the United States and Latin America. I look forward to working with each and every client, in order that they may reach their happiest self possible.

I graduated from Simmons University with my Masters's Degree in Social Work in 2023. I have over 14 years of work and volunteer experience working with adolescents between the ages of 14-22 year olds. For the past 8 years, I have been working with young men between the ages of 13-21 in an alternative school setting. Over the last several years, I have taken a special interest in helping students navigate the emotional and logistical transition from high school into adulthood.

With over 15 years of experience, I believe in considering the unique perspectives and experiences of each individual and tailoring the counseling process to your needs and context.

I've been doing this work for 25 years — which means I've sat with a lot of people in a lot of different kinds of pain, and I've watched most of them find their way through it. I work with adolescents, adults, and families dealing with trauma, PTSD, anxiety, depression, LGBTQ+ identity, cultural identity, and the messy overlaps between all of those things. I'm warm, direct, and probably a little funnier than you'd expect from a therapist. That's intentional. Some of the hardest healing I've witnessed happened in moments that also had some lightness in them. I'm LGBTQ+ affirming, work with couples and families in addition to individuals, and I accept Aetna, Carelon Behavioral Health, and Cigna through Headway — plus several additional insurers on Psychology Today.

I believe that everyone deserves to be heard, regardless of their background or circumstances. Whether you are struggling with excessive worry or negative thoughts, overwhelmed by schoolwork as a student, supporting a family member with autism or developmental disability, or facing challenges as a member of a marginalized group in society, it is common to feel hopeless and worthless at times. However, you do not have to give in to these feelings.

I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker. There are credentials I could list and ways for you to assess why I am the right clinician for you, and while those things matter, what I find most true is this: I care deeply about this work.

Finding the right therapist is hard, and on behalf of all therapists, I'm sorry this is true. I won't promise a "safe space" for the people I work with, but I can promise an accountable one. I am committed to learning alongside you, knowing that we will teach each other what comes next. I will create the container for our work, and together, I hope to build a foundation of trust that allows you to heal, grow, challenge, accept, and integrate all that has brought you here.

Many people who come to see me are living with depression, overwhelmed with anxiety, or are processing and healing from past trauma. You might be going through a major life transition or find your usual ways of coping are no longer working. You might feel stuck, uncertain, and disconnected from yourself. Investing in therapy can be difficult when there are so many other things that demand your attention. My role is to help you explore what is important to you, what is getting in the way, and make realistic, actionable steps towards your goals.

Disclaimer: My current role as an Access Clinician at Harvard University Health Services allows me to work with folx from all walks of life. I hold a small caseload in my private practice to focus on my clinical interests. Due to my role, I do not see any actively enrolled Harvard students in my private practice. However, this means you can see me at CAMHS for short-term counseling.

With several years of experience in the behavioral health field, I provide an eclectic, culturally-informed, empowering, person-centered therapeutic relationship. I have worked with people from all backgrounds to navigate significant life transitions such as starting careers, managing higher education stressors, dealing with toxic relationships and work environments, and addressing discrimination based on cultural, race, and gender identities.