Jacob Sims
Jacob Sims
I’m Jake Sims, a licensed psychotherapist based in California. I work with adults who are struggling with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, addiction, or a general sense of feeling stuck or disconnected. Many of my clients are navigating major life transitions or grappling with questions around identity, purpose, or belonging. My approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in deep listening. I draw from psychodynamic therapy, relational work, AEDP, and contemplative traditions like mindfulness and Buddhist psychology. What that means in practice is that I aim to help you explore both the roots of your pain and the parts of you that long for healing, connection, and growth. I believe therapy works best when it’s not just about solving a problem, but about creating a space where you can be more fully yourself. We’ll pay attention to patterns in your life and relationships, explore emotions you may have learned to push aside, and work together to loosen the grip of old wounds or outdated beliefs. I also try to show up in the room as a real person—someone who’s curious, present, and engaged. Ultimately, therapy with me is about helping you feel more alive, more connected to others, and more in touch with your own inner resources. If that resonates with you, I’d be honored to work together.
Get to know me
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
In your first session with me, we’ll focus on getting to know each other and creating a comfortable, safe space for you to share what brought you to therapy. I’ll ask about your background, current challenges, and what you hope to get out of therapy. Together, we’ll begin a collaborative process of setting clear goals that feel meaningful and achievable for you. While goal-setting is important, the first few sessions are really about building a strong foundation of trust and connection. A strong working relationship is essential for therapy to be effective, so I prioritize making sure you feel heard, supported, and understood from the start. There’s no pressure to have all the answers right away — therapy is a journey we take together, step by step.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
What stands out about my therapeutic approach is the way I weave together levity and depth to create a space that feels both safe and meaningful. I bring insight and curiosity to help uncover the deeper stories behind your challenges while balancing that with warmth and relatability. I hold a strong commitment to accountability, encouraging growth without judgment. My clients often tell me they appreciate my honesty and authenticity, which fosters trust and makes it easier to take risks and be vulnerable. This combination of compassion, insight, and practical support helps people move toward real, lasting change.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I work best with adults who are introspective, curious, and motivated to understand themselves more deeply even if they feel stuck, anxious, disconnected, or unsure of where to begin. Many of my clients are navigating big questions: Why do I keep repeating the same patterns in relationships? Why do I feel so anxious or shut down? How can I be more connected to myself, to others, to life? Some come to therapy feeling overwhelmed by emotion; others feel emotionally flat or distant. Some are high-functioning on the outside but quietly struggling with addiction, shame, or a persistent sense of loneliness. I am particularly attuned to people who tend to be hard on themselves, who carry a lot internally, or who feel like they never quite learned how to fully show up in relationships. I also work well with men who are exploring vulnerability, identity, and emotional expression in a deeper way. Whether you are facing a crisis or simply ready to live with more clarity and intention, I offer a space where your experience will be taken seriously and held with care. If you are looking for a therapist who will not just nod and listen but will be actively engaged in the process with you, someone who helps you make sense of where you have been while supporting you toward change, I might be a good fit.
About Jacob Sims
I identify as
Serves ages
Licensed in
Appointments
VirtualMy treatment methods
Psychodynamic
I work from a psychodynamic perspective, which means I’m interested in how your past experiences—especially in early relationships—shape how you see yourself and relate to others today. Together, we’ll explore patterns that might be operating beneath the surface, often outside of conscious awareness. As these patterns come into focus in a supportive relationship, there’s room for greater insight, emotional freedom, and lasting change. This approach helps deepen self-understanding and opens up new possibilities in how you live and connect.
Eclectic
My approach is eclectic, meaning I draw from several therapeutic traditions to meet your unique needs rather than sticking to one rigid method. I integrate tools and insights from psychodynamic therapy, AEDP, CBT, mindfulness, and relational work to support emotional healing and personal growth. The therapy is tailored to you—sometimes that means exploring deep patterns from the past, other times it means building practical skills for the present. At the heart of it, I aim to create a space where you feel understood, supported, and empowered to move toward lasting change.
Relational
I work from a relational perspective, which means I see the therapy relationship as a central part of the healing process. How we connect in the room can shed light on the ways you relate to others in your life—often offering insight into patterns that feel stuck or painful. I aim to be real and responsive with you, creating a space where trust, honesty, and emotional depth can grow. This kind of connection can be deeply reparative and help foster more fulfilling relationships outside of therapy.