In her new role as a therapist at The Center for Counseling & Consultation, Kiani Simms is eager to collaborate with clients facing a broad range of mental-health issues.
Simms, who currently has her temporary license, is working under the direct supervision of Tracie Haselhorst, clinical director at The Center. In October, Simms will be fully licensed as a professional counselor.
“I am here to help young people and adults with concerns such as depression, anxiety and adjustment issues,” Simms said. “This includes foster children and other youngsters struggling with their own families.”
In addition, Simms is comfortable working with clients who are deaf or hard-of-hearing.
“I started learning American Sign Language during college,” she noted. “As part of my master’s program, I had a concentration in rehabilitation counseling for the deaf and hard-of-hearing to better understand the challenges people face and how to provide support.
“This brought a new perspective to me and a desire to support those with hearing loss.”
Simms also works with non-verbal clients.
“My intent is to help people overcome barriers they might be facing,” she commented. “I want to work alongside clients and help them reach their goals – whether that means helping them learn coping skills or figuring out who they are and what they want out of life.
“The type of treatment depends on the client,” she added. “We will collaborate with one another to discover what the individual wants and needs.”
While Simms has been at The Center only a short time, she is impressed with its services and personnel.
“I really like the size and scope of The Center,” she explained. “It is not too big but the long list of services is impressive.
“Staff members here are welcoming and have made me feel comfortable asking questions; we already are working closely together. This is a tight-knit group that helps me, but more important, benefits my clients.”
Originally from Hutchinson, Simms is a new Great Bend resident. She sees clients in The Center’s Great Bend office, 5815 Broadway, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and the Lyons office, 217 E. Ave. North, on Mondays and Thursdays.
Simms earned her bachelor’s degree in sociology in 2021 and master’s in clinical counseling in 2023, both at Emporia State University.
Internships were job-placement specialist at Job Force Employment Solutions and therapist at Horizons Mental Health Center, both in Hutchinson.
Previous employment includes vocational-rehabilitation counselor at the Department for Children and Families, Hutchinson, and Community Based Services case manager at CrossWinds Counseling & Wellness in Emporia.
She also was an SOS Helpline advocate in Emporia.
Tracie Haselhorst, Simms’s supervisor, said “Kiani is already making an impact on our clients. She is very insightful, has a great sense of humor and is fitting in well with other therapists here at The Center.
“It is great that we have someone with her educational background and commitment to supporting clients in our Great Bend and Lyons offices. Kiani is a great addition to our professional, compassionate staff.”
The Center for Counseling & Consultation is a Community Mental Health Center serving Barton, Pawnee, Rice and Stafford counties. Professionally trained personnel offer: individual and group therapy; marriage and family counseling; community-support services; community-based services; psychosocial rehabilitation; peer support; and medication management. The confidential 24/7 crisis hotline number is 800-875-2544.
