Welcome to Simple Therapy Now where growth, transformation and renewal takes place.
Hello I am Simone Finnis, fully Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MT 2892) and founder of Simple Therapy Now. I help individuals, couples, families, teens and children experience joy, possibility and freedom once again. I believe whether a child or an adult, we all deserve to feel a sense of well-being, empowerment and happiness in our lives.
I serve clients locally from the Tri-County areas of Dade, Broward and Palm Beach and offer coaching services nationally through secure video-conferencing.
The basis of my approach is relational and systemic. I see problems as ‘challenges’ which are often times interconnected to other factors and/or relationships in our lives. These challenges, I believe, are opportunities for growth and transformation – rather than obstacles that keep us stuck and feeling unhappy. I offer a warm, positive, solution-focused and goal oriented approach, incorporating other evidenced based techniques to make therapy briefer, highly effective and uniquely tailored to my clients’ needs.
While I specialize in Solution-Focused Brief therapy, I also utilize other modalities such Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness practices, Play Therapy, Structural and Intergenerational (Bowenian) Family Therapy. Additionally, as a Certified Active Parenting Coach, a SAMSHA approved, award winning and evidenced-based parenting program, I am able to help parents learn skills to transform their families. I am also a Broward County approved Pre-marital course provider, certified in the nationally recognized Prepare-Enrich program, which helps couples prepare for and continue a successful life together.
My work with clients is also informed by having the distinct honor of receiving direct training from Dr. Salvador Minuchin considered one of the premiere therapists of twenty-first century and founder of Structural Family Therapy, along with having been supervised and mentored by Dr. Lee Shilts a protégé of Insoo Kim-Berg co-developer of Solution-Focused Therapy.
My background also includes, being Director of Family and Ministry Services along with overseeing pastoral care for a large non-denominational Christian church for several years, a Financial Advisor for business owners and high-net worth families in a respected Fortune 500 Company, and working with women and women’s issues in an OB/GYN private practice. I also have years of experience studying and exploring eastern and spiritual approaches to healing and transformation.
Additionally, prior to founding Simple Therapy Now, I worked extensively and had leadership involvement in Intensive Outpatient settings successfully helping youth and their families in groups and one-on-one encounters, addressing co-occurring disorders such as substance abuse with self-harming behaviors, ADHD, ODD, PTSD, mood disorders, behavioral issues and more.
Currently, I see clients for a broad range of circumstances and challenges. Issues range from but are not limited to; Anxiety, Depression and other Psychological /mental health issues; Coping with life stressors; Stage-of-life transitions; Couples relational health; Family healing and functioning; Teen, Child, and Adult Child issues; Self-esteem and Self-Image challenges; Recovery from addictions; Spiritual issues; Career and Personal growth; Grief and Loss; Trauma to Multi-crisis situations.
In your personal life: Do you struggle with depression, anxiety or mood issues? Does a feeling of sadness, loneliness or unworthiness impair your functioning or relationships? Perhaps you feel unable to accomplish your dreams, struggle with work/life balance or feel unable to cope with life stressors? Maybe you would like to feel a sense of purpose or meaning. Or perhaps you struggle to deal with a grief and loss event. Or maybe you feel spiritually disconnected.
I can help. I focus on my helping my clients increase self-awareness and self-compassion, recognize what is already working in their lives, unpack contributing factors, develop incremental achievable goals and chart a course for success, fulfillment and healing. I also work collaboratively with other professionals in your care team to ensure all areas physiologically or psychologically are addressed.
In your couple relationship or marriage: Do you experience issues related to communication, disconnection, differing values, infidelity or other trust issues? Has intimacy or sexual issues become flash-point in your interactions? Do you feel that the spark gone out of your marriage? Perhaps past resentments and hurts interfere with your feelings of joy and satisfaction. Or maybe, lack of boundaries, lack of mutual respect or partner habits are causing you undue strain? Are you experiencing challenges with in-laws that contribute to sense of distress?
I help couples learn effective solution-building, conflict resolution and communication skills, while promoting healing, renewal, and revitalization their relationship. Couples working with me are able overcome long-standing issues, deepen their connection, collaborate more effectively and feel a renewed sense of excitement and passion about their relationship or their marriage.
In the areas of parenting and family functioning: Have you experienced conflict due to differing parenting styles? Do you struggle with knowing how to effectively discipline or support your child? Are you unsuccessfully attempting to handle behavioral, emotional or academic issues with your child? Does your child exhibit symptoms related to or has been diagnosed with ADHD? Maybe you feel overwhelmed with managing your child’s ASD related behaviors? Perhaps you wish to impart your family values to your children but finding it difficult to do so. Maybe your teenager participates in risky behaviors. Or your child or teenager is experiencing social issues, being bullied or refuses to go to school? Do you notice your child or adolescent being overly anxious, withdrawn or angry a lot of the times? Or perhaps you are experiencing multi-generational family conflict or toxic family interactions?
Whether your challenges are with parenting, family functioning, family cohesion addressing child, teen or adult child-parent issues, I can assist. I have extensive experience in working with children, teenagers, adult children and their families. As a mom myself, I am also deeply passionate about helping young people develop their self-confidence and self-esteem. Working collaboratively parents, families, adolescents or children my clients report experiencing increased cooperation, improved social-emotional and behavioral health, feeling happier and more harmonious.
Thank you for taking the time to learn more about me and my practice. I hope this has been helpful and that you have a greater sense of how I can help you or your loved ones. I look forward to assisting you and your loved ones achieve your goals and reach your highest potential. Together we will embrace your strengths as we seek to discover and uncover the power, gifts and talents already within you.
You can follow here for a comprehensive list of services and here for testimonials.
Please feel free to contact me today.
Education
MS Marriage and Family Therapy, Nova Southeastern University – January 2012
BS Biological Science, Florida Atlantic University – 1989
Certifications & Trainings
Pet Loss Grief Counseling Trained Professional – September 2021
Certification in Mindfulness for Children & Teens- Interventions for ADHD, Anxiety, Trauma and Emotional Regulation – February 2019
Prepare/Enrich Marriage & Pre-marital Certified Facilitator – January 2014
Active Parenting Now Certified Leader -2013
NAPPI Certified ( Non-Abusive, Psychological, and Physical Interventions) -2013
Response Ability Pathways Certified (Reclaiming At Risk Children & Youth) -2012
Professional Crisis Management (PCM) -2012
Certificate of Substitute Teaching – 2009
Groups (Christian) Life Leadership – Saddleback Church-2007
Certified Financial Manager – 2003