Therapist profile
Maria Celestina 'Joecel' Simkins, LCSW
California
Licensed Clinical Social Worker - Stress and Trauma
Continue with MariaWhere Maria stands
- Credentials
- LCSW
- License
- LCSW, California / 114292
- NPI
- 1851919716
- Experience
- 6 years
- Languages
- English
- Location
- California
About
- person-centered approach
- strengths-based focus
- works on boundaries
About Maria
Maria Celestina 'Joecel' Simkins is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in California with six years of clinical experience. She works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, self-esteem, depression, and coping with life changes. Joecel also focuses on concerns like abandonment, body image, codependency, communication problems, isolation, and grief-related issues.
She uses a person-centered, strengths-based style in sessions. Joecel treats the person as the expert on their life and helps them notice and use their existing strengths. Conversations are practical and focused on what feels most useful to the client right now.
In early meetings she listens for what is most distressing and what the client wants to change. Sessions often include talking through patterns that keep someone stuck, practicing new ways to set boundaries, and testing small changes between visits. Joecel pays attention to how culture, immigration, and multicultural concerns shape feelings and choices.
Her work includes addressing post-traumatic stress symptoms and the fallout from abuse. She helps people who feel empty, overwhelmed by guilt or shame, or unsure about life purpose. Joecel also supports people dealing with relationship patterns that leave them prioritizing others at their own expense.
Joecel offers services in English and works with adults. Her fee varies by location and uses a subscription model that can be canceled at any time. To begin, clients complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule a first session.
How sessions work
Therapeutic approaches and how they work online
Joecel uses evidence-based techniques that help people understand and change patterns. One common approach she applies is person-centered work, which focuses on the client’s goals and lets the client guide what gets addressed. This helps when someone wants to sort out people-pleasing, codependency patterns, or decisions about boundaries.She also draws on strengths-based methods, looking for existing skills and resources a person can use right away. That approach is useful for rebuilding confidence after trauma or when depression has sapped motivation. When post-traumatic stress or abuse are present, she pays attention to coping skills that reduce overwhelm and support gradual progress.
Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Joecel will discuss what fits best based on the client’s needs, goals, and preferences and adjust the methods as work progresses. Clients help shape the plan and try techniques between sessions to see what helps.
Session formats are not specified in the biography, so confirm current options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life by reducing travel time, allowing shorter check-ins when needed, and making it simpler to schedule sessions around work or family commitments.
Areas of focus
Areas of expertise
Additional focus areas
Experience
6+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she help with?
She helps with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, self-esteem, depression, and coping with life changes, plus related areas such as codependency and isolation.
How would sessions feel day to day?
Sessions use a person-centered, strengths-based approach that focuses on practical conversation and small changes clients can try between meetings.
How much experience does she have?
She has six years of clinical experience as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.
Where is she licensed and based?
She is an LCSW licensed in California and practices there.
What languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
She is not currently accepting international clients.
How are fees handled?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I start a first session?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule your first session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are not safe at home, use the crisis and helpline numbers.