A woman with dark curly hair, wearing a white button-up shirt with rolled sleeves, beige and white striped pants, a gold watch, and a tattoo on her left forearm. She is standing against a white crumpled fabric backdrop and smiling.

Hi, I’m Ali Simpson, LMHC

Mental Health Therapist

Clinical Supervisor

Founder

Request Appointment

NOT ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS

About Me

Welcome — I’m so glad you’re here.

I’m Ali Simpson (she/her), a Mental Health Therapist, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, and Certified Clinical Supervisor. I created Modern Day Counseling in 2021 with a simple belief: everyone deserves a space where they feel seen, understood, and supported. Being invited into people’s lives during some of their most vulnerable seasons is something I hold with deep respect and it’s what gives this work its meaning for me.

From a young age, I found myself trying to understand people, relationships, and the experiences that shape us. Navigating my own challenges sparked a deep curiosity about mental health and ultimately led me to this work.

I believe that understanding the connection between our experiences and our mental health can be empowering and create opportunities for meaningful change. My goal is to help you not only cope, but grow with purpose.

I am passionate about normalizing mental health conversations and helping people feel less alone.

Clinical Areas

  • Anxiety / panic

  • Depression / persistent low mood

  • Bipolar / mood instability

  • PTSD / CPTSD / trauma

  • Self-esteem and self-worth concerns

  • Identity exploration and identity development

  • Neurodivergent traits

  • Chronic stress / overwhelm related to ongoing life demands

  • Emotional overwhelm or feeling “stuck”

Below is a list of common mental health concerns I work with in practice. This list is not exhaustive, and if you don’t see your specific concern listed here - that’s okay. Everyone comes to therapy with a unique story, different needs, and different stages of readiness.

  • LGBTQ+ related stressors & experiences

  • Racial identity stress and BIPOC-related stressors & experiences

  • Relationship challenges (romantic, family, friendship)

  • Family conflict and intergenerational dynamics

  • People-pleasing and boundary difficulties

  • Suicide & self harm behaviors

Passion Areas

  • Supporting BIPOC clients navigating cultural identity, stress, and generational impact

  • Empowering individuals healing from generational and relational trauma

  • Exploring attachment patterns and relational dynamics

  • Guiding identity exploration and self-discovery

  • Affirming LGBTQ+ identity exploration and lived experience

  • Helping clients feel more grounded, present, and connected to themselves

  • Encouraging client to reconnect with values, meaning, and purpose

  • Normalizing mental health experiences and reducing shame around seeking help

My passion areas reflect the themes I feel most drawn to and most energized by in my work with clients.

Modalities & Education

I primarily draw from Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and psychodynamic approaches. I integrate these theories to help clients build emotional regulation skills, process and make meaning of past experiences, increase psychological flexibility, and deepen insight into patterns that may be impacting their present lives.

  • Masters of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling / University of Northern Iowa

  • Bachelors of Arts in Psychology / University of Northern Iowa

Outside the Therapy Office

Outside of the office, I enjoy spending time with my loved ones. Much of my free time is spent with my husband and trying to keep up with my energetic and enthusiastic toddler. I enjoy being active outdoors, getting lost in a good fiction book, spending time in solitude, or turning the music up a little too loud and singing along without a care in the world.