Meet Simi
Counseling Psychology Intern
Simi Tafoya- Master's Level Counseling Psychology Intern
You may be feeling overwhelmed with pressures from finances, career, home life, or relationships. These things might be making it hard to breathe. Or maybe you’re going through a transition and wondering where your grounding went. Clients who work with me often describe a sense of calm and safety in the therapy space. Whether you’re an individual, part of a couple, or navigating family dynamics, you’ll find that I bring a sense of curiosity, compassion, and a deep respect for your story.
Clients across all ages and backgrounds work with me to explore identity, connection, and meaning- without pressure to be perfect or polished. If you are a person who is BIPOC or from a marginalized background, you have come to the right place. You don’t have to have it all figured out. You just have to be willing to show up, exactly as you are. Therapy with me is collaborative, culturally responsive, and centered on building a life that feels aligned and congruent with who you really are.
I’m currently completing my Master’s in Counseling Psychology at the University of Denver. My clinical work is grounded in client-centered and existential approaches, with a foundation in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and attachment theory. I bring a strong interest in family systems, understanding how generational patterns, roles, and emotional dynamics shape how people relate to themselves and others
Why Simi became a therapist
My passion for this work comes from my own incredible experience in therapy. I’ve experienced the healing that can take place not through quick fixes, but through the steady presence of someone who offers compassionate companionship. Therapy helped me understand that healing is not a straight path- it is layered, nonlinear, and deeply human. That’s what I hope to offer my clients: a place where it’s okay to bring your confusion, your grief, and your in-between moments. I believe everyone deserves the chance to experience the kind of change and liberation that can happen when we speak honestly, cry freely, and bring all parts of ourselves into the room.
What motivates me most is the chance to witness people returning to themselves- to see someone move from feeling lost to gradually reclaiming their voice, their strength, and their clarity. Life can be difficult, and we all carry so much- often silently. Therapy can be a rare space where you don’t have to perform or hold it all together. It may be messy and uncertain, but above all, it’s real and human.
If you’re feeling unsure about beginning therapy, know that you are not alone. It takes courage to begin, and I commend you for taking this step. Wherever you are in the process, I will meet you there- with care, compassion, and respect.
Cost & Location
Simi is part of Tribe’s Counseling on a Budget Program. She is able to accept Cigna. Otherwise, you can choose what to pay- anywhere between $60 to $80 per session.
Simi is not enrolled as a Medicaid provider.
She works out of our Lakewood office and virtually.
Languages
Hindi (fluent), Punjabi (proficient), Urdu (beginner), Spanish (beginner/intermediate)
Hours
Simi has weekday availability.
No matter what age group and your counseling needs, we have a therapist or counselor who is the right match for you. Book a free 15 minute consultation to meet any of our amazing therapists and begin your path to health and wellness.
About Tribe's Counseling on a Budget Program
Getting Creative to Support Our Community
At Tribe Mind Body Wellness, we understand that quality mental health care should be accessible to everyone, regardless of financial circumstances. That’s why we are proud to offer our “Counseling on a Budget” program. This initiative provides affordable therapeutic services to clients while offering supervised master’s level interns valuable clinical experience. By participating in this program, clients can receive the support they need at a reduced cost, while interns gain essential hands-on experience in their field.
Affordable Therapy Options
Our “Counseling on a Budget” program offers a a couple of options to receive the therapy you deserve. Use your Cigna health insurance. Or, opt in for our sliding scale payment structure, allowing clients to choose a rate that fits their budget. Clients can opt to pay $80, $70, or $60 per session, ensuring that cost is not a barrier to receiving high-quality mental health care.
About Tribe's Counseling on a Budget Program
About Tribe's Counseling on a Budget Program
Intern Expertise and Supervision
The therapeutic services provided through this program are delivered by our dedicated master’s level interns. These interns are in the final stages of their academic training and bring fresh perspectives, enthusiasm, and a strong commitment to helping clients achieve their mental health goals. To ensure the highest standard of care, all intern sessions are closely supervised by experienced licensed therapists. This supervision guarantees that clients receive effective, evidence-based treatment and that interns receive valuable feedback and guidance.
Comprehensive Non-Clinical Support
In addition to providing therapy, our interns engage in various non-clinical activities that contribute to their professional development and the overall success of the program. During their non-clinical hours, interns:
– Stay updated with the latest research and therapeutic techniques by reading relevant materials.
– Develop comprehensive treatment plans tailored to each client’s needs and goals.
– Maintain accurate and detailed progress notes to ensure continuity of care.
– Participate in regular consultations with peers and supervisors to discuss cases and receive feedback.
– Attend individual and group supervision sessions to receive guidance.
About Tribe Mental Health Therapists & Counselors
You Deserve to Feel Great. We’re Here to Help.
Tribe is a group practice of counselors and therapists that was formed to meet your needs. At any point in your life, whether you are a child or an adult, having outside support can help you to change your path and feel more in control of your life.
Reach out for a free 15-minute consultation to see if we are the right fit for you.
For people experiencing anxiety, depression, stress, life transitions, and more, our therapists/counselors also provide therapy to help you acclimate and become more comfortable in situations that cause you distress.
As humans, we naturally wish not to suffer. We typically try to escape anxious feelings as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, we rarely succeed at truly getting rid of those awful feelings. Suppressing them, denying them or distracting ourselves with other activities might work for a moment, but these are temporary fixes at best. The anxiety inevitably returns, often with even greater intensity. We refer to this dynamic as the cycle of avoidance.
You cannot fix a problem by avoiding it; you must instead learn how to change your relationship to it. Symptoms from anxiety, depression, trauma, and stress can be lessened when properly addressed with the help of a therapist. Therapy helps break the cycle of avoidance by teaching you how to face the anxiety head-on.
During the course of therapy, you’ll learn skills to manage how you feel, including how to work with your nervous system. You will learn to recognize your triggers and identify your internal warning signs that the anxiety cycle has started. You will learn to disengage from negative thoughts and treat them as information, rather than absolute truths, so they have less influence over your behavior. You will also learn acceptance skills that allow you to feel the physical symptoms of anxiety as they occur in your body without trying to change them or run from them.
At Tribe Mind Body Wellness, we will help you to have:
- More constructive thinking patterns
- The ability to identify and engage in more appropriate behaviors for positive changes
- Increased tolerance for the physical discomfort that is often experienced with anxiety, low self-esteem, or psychological conditions
- Better and more satisfying relationships
