Licensed to practice in Alabama and accepts 9 insurances. Specializes in Addiction, Depression, Older Adults and 10 more.
New to Grow
My name is Samantha Sims, and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with extensive experience serving adults and older adults. I’ve spent my entire career in Mental Health, working in a variety of roles that have shaped my ability to provide empathetic, patient‑centered care. I am certified in CBT for Depression, a credential I earned while serving at the Birmingham VA Medical Center, where I supported veterans in several clinical positions. I also have training in Motivational Interviewing and Solution‑Focused Brief Therapy. Throughout my work in Mental Health, I’ve supported individuals living with severe mental illness—including Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder—as well as veterans navigating PTSD, Anxiety, and Depression. I’ve also worked with individuals and couples facing major life transitions or communication challenges that make it difficult to stay connected to the people they love. For older adults, my work has included helping seniors manage the emotional impact of life changes, cope with depression or anxiety, and find practical strategies to address cognitive decline—such as memory loss—while maintaining independence and dignity. No matter where your experiences fit within what I’ve described, you can trust that with Inner Truth Clinical Services, I will meet you exactly where you are. Together, we will focus on what matters most to you and work toward a life that feels more manageable, grounded, and meaningful.
Our first session together will be a time of getting to know one another, where you will discuss what you hope to get out of therapy, and areas of your life you would like to improve. For some people, this is a time of anxiety, where they are nervous, and aren't sure what to say. If that sounds like you, I will do my best to set you at ease and provide an open, judgement-free place, where for the first session and each one after, you will feel more and more comfortable about expressing your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Some people are most comfortable in session providing background information to ensure I understand context and where they are coming from. Others like to get right to what they want out of therapy and discussing how we are going to get there. No matter where you fall, the former, latter, or a little of both, I will accommodate and depending on your needs and challenges we will use brief assessments during your time in therapy to first get a base line score and then monitor progress and you improve.
My own life experiences—both the uplifting and the difficult—deeply inform the way I practice. I’ve faced challenges that required growth, honesty, and resilience, and those experiences have shaped me into a more present, compassionate, and attuned therapist. I understand what it feels like to navigate hard seasons. Our stories may differ, but the emotions are often familiar, and part of our work will be helping you respond to those emotions in ways that support your healing and your goals. Therapy with me is a balance of space and accountability. There will be moments where I intentionally allow silence—giving you room to reflect, gather your thoughts, and choose how you want to grow. Silence can be powerful; it can create clarity, responsibility, and insight. There are also times when silence becomes a way of avoiding what feels uncomfortable. When that happens, my role is to gently challenge you and help you move through the discomfort rather than stay stuck in it. I will support you, but I will also push you when it serves your growth. My goal is always the same: to help you move closer to your inner truth and to the life you want to build.
I am best positioned to serve adults and older adults who are ready to explore their experiences with honesty and work toward meaningful change. Many of my clients come to therapy feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure how to move forward. Some are navigating depression, anxiety, PTSD, or the impact of long‑standing mental health challenges. Others are facing life transitions, relationship strain, or the emotional weight of caring for others while trying to care for themselves. I work especially well with individuals who value a balance of compassion and accountability. My clients often appreciate having space to reflect but also benefit from gentle challenge when avoidance or old patterns get in the way of growth. I support people who want to understand their emotions, strengthen their coping skills, improve communication, and build a life that feels more manageable and meaningful. For older adults, I am well‑equipped to help with transitions related to aging, changes in independence, grief, cognitive decline, and the anxieties that can accompany these shifts. I also work with seniors who want strategies to maintain dignity, confidence, and connection as their needs evolve. Whether you are seeking clarity, stability, healing, or direction, I will meet you where you are and help you move toward the goals that matter most to you.
Other specialties
I identify as
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
CBT with me often looks like: noticing the thoughts that show up during stressful or emotional moments understanding how those thoughts influence your feelings and reactions exploring whether those thoughts are accurate, helpful, or based on old experiences practicing new ways of responding that support your goals and well‑being It’s not about “thinking positive.” It’s about learning to recognize unhelpful patterns and replacing them with responses that feel more balanced, realistic, and supportive. I guide you through this process at a pace that feels right for you, offering both space and gentle challenge when needed. CBT is simply a structured way of helping you understand yourself better and giving you tools you can use long after therapy ends.
Motivational Interviewing
I use Motivational Interviewing in a very collaborative and supportive way. It’s a style of therapy that helps you explore what you want for your life and what might be getting in the way. Instead of me telling you what to do, we work together to understand your goals, your strengths, and the changes that feel meaningful to you. In practice, this often looks like: - talking through what matters most to you - exploring mixed feelings or hesitations about making changes - noticing what motivates you and what discourages you - identifying small, realistic steps that feel doable Motivational Interviewing helps you connect with your own reasons for change so the progress you make feels genuine and sustainable. My role is to guide the conversation, ask thoughtful questions, and support you as you move toward the life you want to build.
Solution Focused Brief Treatment
Solution‑Focused Brief Therapy is a very practical, forward‑looking approach. Instead of spending most of our time analyzing the past, we focus on what’s working, what you want your life to look like, and the small steps that can move you in that direction. In session, this often looks like: - talking about the changes you want to see - identifying your strengths and the things you’re already doing well - exploring moments when the problem feels smaller or more manageable - finding simple, realistic steps that help you move toward your goals It’s not about ignoring challenges — it’s about helping you build on what’s already within you. I use this approach to help you notice progress, gain confidence, and create solutions that fit your life. The goal is to help you move forward in a way that feels achievable, meaningful, and aligned with your inner truth.