Takila Simmons

Dr. Takila Simmons is a Clinical Social Worker with over thirteen years of experience in the mental health field; working with adults and children with severe mental health diagnosis, trauma, substance use, and behavioral concerns. She has provided psychotherapy to children and adults suffering from trauma and severe behavioral health issues, as well as intensive home-based therapy to children and families. She completed her bachelor’s in social work at Jackson State University, her masters in clinical social work at Michigan State University and went on to complete her doctoral research study on sex trafficking at Capella University. Dr. Simmons worked at Community Mental Health agency from 2004-2011 where she provided intensive case management to adults suffering from severe mental health and substance use issues as well as individuals who were developmental disabled. Dr. Simmons also worked as a Crisis Interventionist II from 2011-2014 where she provided crisis skills to children and adults dealing with suicidal, homicidal, behavioral, and substance use issues. She currently works for the U.S. Federal Government, Department of Veterans Affairs since 2015 where she provides clinical services to Veterans. In the past she has worked contractually with Magellan Behavioral Health as a Military & Family Life Counselor providing counseling services to service members and their families in dealing with the stresses of military life and supporting readiness of service members for deployment. Her teaching experience in the past includes, working at Fordham University in New York and Brandman University in California as an adjunct professor in the MSW program. She has also taught at Utah University in their BSW program back in 2015. Dr. Simmons continues to work at Indiana Wesleyan University as an adjunct professor in their BSW program, and has been teaching in higher education for 5 years now. Dr. Simmons will be working as an adjunct professor at Walden University, Social Work Department, MSW program. Dr. Simmons’ primary areas of research include, sex trafficking, child trauma, mental health, substance use, child and adolescent, trauma and the brain, and Veterans.

Education

DSW, Capella University

MSW, Michigan State University

BSW, Jackson State University