Erica Sims
Peoria
Summary
Dynamic and entrepreneurial Licensed Professional Counselor, Clinical Supervisor, Higher Education Instructor, and former Secondary English Department Chair with over two decades of combined experience in mental health, teaching, curriculum development, employee training, and organizational wellness. Expert in trauma-informed care, instructional design, public speaking, and applied psychology in emerging technology contexts. National EAP seminar presenter for Cigna, experienced Subject Matter Expert (SME), and leader in program development. Combines rigorous academic practice with accessible, engaging learning design for diverse audiences.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
3
3
Certifications
Work History
EAP Speaker
Cigna
08.2019 - Current
- Deliver engaging and informative presentations on behavioral health topics to diverse employee audiences.
- Utilize humor, storytelling and interactive techniques to promote key messages and foster audience connection.
- Collaborate with organizational leadership to tailor content to workplace needs and priorities.
- Inspire and motivate participants through practical insights, relatable experiences, and evidence-based strategies.
Owner/Clinical Director/Clinical Therapist
Dynamic Counseling and Coaching Solutions, LLC
04.2017 - Current
- Created/Improved policies and procedures through development, implementation, revision, and evaluation of new protocols.
- Provided onboarding and coaching to new hires to help each feel comfortable in job positions and prepared to handle various responsibilities.
- Maintained records management system to process personnel information and produce reports.
- Recruited and hired individuals bringing talent, well-developed skills sets and passion for helping others, effectively building exceptionally gifted team of personnel.
- Initiated and negotiated contract specifications with major vendors.
- Provided individual, marriage, and family psychotherapy services to patients and provided diagnoses and consultations.
- Evaluated clients' interests, abilities and needs alongside clinical presentations to develop targeted treatment plans.
- Consulted with other professionals, agencies and universities to discuss therapies, treatments, counseling resources and techniques.
- Completed detailed documentation of sessions, patient notes and recommendations.
Clinical Supervisor
Maricopa County Adult Probation Department
05.2016 - 04.2019
- Led and expanded the Reach Out program, which facilitated the transition of incarcerated individuals from jail into community-based treatment programs.
- Increased program impact by over 300%, significantly raising the number of inmates released from incarceration into treatment, reducing jail overcrowding and improving rehabilitation efforts.
- Achieved superior treatment outcomes, with program participants demonstrating higher success rates compared to those not overseen by probation.
- Collaborated with judicial officers, probation staff, and treatment providers to enhance continuity of care and reduce recidivism rates.
- Implemented data-driven strategies to track progress and improve service delivery, ensuring program sustainability and long-term success.
- Interviewed applicants and made recommendations for new hires.
- Provided ongoing training to address staff needs.
- Identified and corrected performance and personnel issues to reduce impact to business operations.
- Identified areas for improvement, narrowing focus for decision-makers in making necessary changes.
- Generated and delivered reports, program review presentations and other program status updates.
- Created and maintained collaborative relationships/partnerships with teams, vendors, and outside agencies to propel projects and attain results.
- Planned and led team meetings to review business results and communicate new and ongoing priorities.
- Furnished project updates to various stakeholders, informing on strategy, adjustments and progress.
Clinical Therapist
Grossman & Grossman Ltd.
02.2015 - 05.2016
- Provided individual psychotherapy services to adults, adolescents, and children.
- Incorporated different treatment methodologies and evidence-based practices to meet clients' specific needs.
- Completed detailed documentation of sessions, patient notes and recommendations.
- Met with clients to understand individual needs and develop personalized treatment plans.
Counselor
Sage Counseling Inc.
06.2014 - 02.2015
- Met with clients to understand individual needs and develop personalized counseling plans.
- Incorporated different treatment methodologies and evidence-based practices to meet clients' specific needs.
- Provided individual and group counseling to guide clients in areas of social and emotional needs.
- Completed detailed documentation of sessions, patient notes and recommendations.
Assessor
Native American Connections
01.2014 - 06.2014
- Adhered to HIPAA confidentiality requirements by safeguarding files.
- Wrote comprehensive goals and patient treatment plans.
- Created client treatment plans based on assessments and goals.
- Met with patients and provided diagnoses and consultations.
Therapist
Jewish Family and Children's Service
01.2013 - 07.2013
- Developed individual courses of treatment for each patient by evaluating goals, mental health and practical conditions.
- Referred clients to external resources for additional support.
- Adhered to HIPAA confidentiality requirements by safeguarding files.
- Completed detailed documentation of sessions, patient notes and recommendations.
- Created client treatment plans based on assessments and goals.
- Incorporated different treatment methodologies and evidence-based practices to meet clients' specific needs.
Adjunct Faculty Instructor
Glendale Community College Counseling Department
08.2010 - 12.2012
- Fostered classroom environment conducive to learning and building character.
- Maintained schedule of office hours to assist students and offer educational support.
- Integrated multimedia technology in classroom instruction for well-rounded and engaging approach to instruction.
- Applied diverse array of assessment methods to track student performance and subject matter comprehension, documenting results in automated reporting system.
- Sourced appropriate course materials to support variety of student learning needs and styles and deliver content in relevant, distinctive ways.
- Created lesson plans and developed instructional materials covering required topics and learning objectives.
- Developed custom course syllabus outlining standards, material, grading and progression for students.
- Documented student assignments, attendance and test scores in online reporting systems.
Clinician II
Terros Inc.
02.2011 - 05.2012
- Collected information necessary for psychological diagnosis by interviewing, observing and surveying patients.
- Evaluated clients' interests, abilities and needs alongside clinical presentations to develop targeted treatment plans.
- Incorporated different treatment methodologies and evidence-based practices to meet clients' specific needs.
- Met with patients and provided diagnoses and consultations.
- Created client treatment plans based on assessments and goals.
- Completed detailed documentation of sessions, patient notes and recommendations.
- Adhered to HIPAA confidentiality requirements by safeguarding files.
Academic Counselor
University of Phoenix
12.2008 - 05.2010
- Presented students with information and resources to promote academic progress and empowered students to take responsibility for academic success.
- Collaborated with probationary students to implement academic plans, leading to higher GPAs and retention.
- Referred students to degree programs based on interests, aptitudes or educational assessments.
- Established and enforced administration policies and rules governing student behavior.
- Coordinated with faculty and staff to aid in resolution of academic problems.
Secondary English Teacher
Peoria Unified School District
08.2006 - 05.2008
- Developed and delivered standards-aligned curriculum for diverse learners.
- Implemented differentiated strategies and classroom management techniques.
- Supported student academic growth through structured interventions and assessment.
English Teacher & Department Chair
North Pointe Preparatory
08.2004 - 05.2006
- Led the English Department, overseeing curriculum design, instructional quality, and department coordination.
- Contributed to the school’s accreditation process, preparing documentation and curricular evidence.
- Taught secondary English using data-driven, differentiated instructional strategies.
Secondary Teacher
Pendergast School District
08.2003 - 05.2004
- Delivered ELA instruction for middle-grade students.
- Used data-driven techniques to monitor progress and adjust instruction.
Secondary Teacher
Northwest Charter Academy
08.2002 - 05.2003
- Created engaging English curriculum aligned to student needs and state standards.
- Supported learners through individualized feedback and structured support.
Education
Master of Arts - Professional Counseling
Ottawa University
Phoenix, AZ02.2011
Master of Arts - Human Resources
Ottawa University
Phoenix, AZ08.2010
Certificate of Graduate Studies - Substance Abuse Counseling
Ottawa University
Phoenix, AZ08.2010
Bachelor of Arts - English
California State University - East Bay
Hayward, CA02.2003
Skills
- Clinical Supervision & Psychotherapy
- Trauma-Informed Care & Crisis Intervention
- Curriculum Development & Instructional Design
- Higher Education Teaching & Academic Counseling
- AI in Mental Health & Human Behavior
- Public Speaking & Corporate Training
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Services
- Program Development & Leadership
- Adult Learning Theory & Pedagogy
- Content Development & SME Collaboration
- Accessibility (ADA/WCAG) Integration
- Clinical Supervision
- Trauma-Informed Care
- Public Speaking & Training
- Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
- Crisis Intervention
- HR & Talent Management
- Program Development
- Curriculum Development
- Adult Learning Theory
- Academic Advising
- Instructional Design
Websites
Certification
Certified Clinical Trauma Professional
Websites, Portfolios, Profiles
https://dccsaz.com/
Timeline
EAP Speaker
Cigna
08.2019 - Current
Owner/Clinical Director/Clinical Therapist
Dynamic Counseling and Coaching Solutions, LLC
04.2017 - Current
Clinical Supervisor
Maricopa County Adult Probation Department
05.2016 - 04.2019
Clinical Therapist
Grossman & Grossman Ltd.
02.2015 - 05.2016
Counselor
Sage Counseling Inc.
06.2014 - 02.2015
Assessor
Native American Connections
01.2014 - 06.2014
Therapist
Jewish Family and Children's Service
01.2013 - 07.2013
Clinician II
Terros Inc.
02.2011 - 05.2012
Adjunct Faculty Instructor
Glendale Community College Counseling Department
08.2010 - 12.2012
Academic Counselor
University of Phoenix
12.2008 - 05.2010
Secondary English Teacher
Peoria Unified School District
08.2006 - 05.2008
English Teacher & Department Chair
North Pointe Preparatory
08.2004 - 05.2006
Secondary Teacher
Pendergast School District
08.2003 - 05.2004
Secondary Teacher
Northwest Charter Academy
08.2002 - 05.2003
Master of Arts - Human Resources
Ottawa University
Certificate of Graduate Studies - Substance Abuse Counseling
Ottawa University
Bachelor of Arts - English
California State University - East Bay
Master of Arts - Professional Counseling
Ottawa University