Tiana FitzSimmons, MSW, LICSW

Tiana FitzSimmons, MSW, LICSW
Therapist
Kato Public Charter, Mankato West

Tiana is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) who graduated with a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from Minnesota State University, Mankato in 2015. Prior to this, she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) from the College of Saint Benedict with a degree in Social Work. Tiana is a therapist trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and is currently seeking certification in this evidenced-based therapy modality.

Tiana focuses on using EMDR to assist in the treatment of a wide range of presenting concerns and mental health symptoms, including but not limited to depression, anxiety, panic, relationship difficulties, traumatic experiences, insecurities/self-esteem issues, disordered eating/body image issues, addictions, or other emotional problems. Tiana uses EMDR to help people access past negative experiences that have created emotional wounds, unveil the negative personal beliefs that were developed from those painful experiences, and then reprocess them using bilateral simulation to create new neuropathways in the brain. This results in people developing more accurate and helpful beliefs about themselves, experiencing resolved feelings about the past, and ultimately, responding to stress healthier ways. You can learn more about EMDR here: https://www.emdria.org/about-emdr-therapy/

Tiana has experience working with children, adults, individuals, and groups, but currently specializes in serving the adolescent (ages 14-21) population. Additionally, Tiana comes with experience in working with the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) and LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer) populations. She values the importance of connection, relationship, and working collaboratively as a team with each individual client to identify what their life is like right now, and then figure out how they want it to be. She utilizes a strengths-based approach when working with clients, helping them to access their starting points or resources that are available to them, including strengths or interests they already have developed, and then capitalizing on those things as well as a part of the healing process.