Kevin James Simms

Kevin Simms, LCSW, CADC-II, CSAT is the Clinic Director for Embark West Los Angeles. He holds a bachelor’s degree in social work, an associate degree in chemical dependency counseling and he received his master’s degree in social work from Nazareth College in Rochester, NY. In addition to his collegiate studies, Kevin has a diverse clinical background having worked with adolescents, couples, families from various backgrounds and in a multitude of settings.

Prior to joining the team at Embark, Kevin was Senior Director of Clinical Services at Weingart Center, an Interim Housing site in the heart of Skid Row that serves close to 2,000 clients. Before his work with Weingart, Kevin was the Director of an In Custody Treatment program for 2 years at the Theo Lacy Facility in Orange County, California, a program that he reignited after years of dormancy. Additionally, Kevin owns and operates his own private practice where he works with adolescents, young adults and adults in the greater Los Angeles area.

Kevin’s therapeutic style is engaging and directive utilizing person-centered therapy, two-person psychology, and his personal experience to help connect with his clients. He believes that perspective shifts reality, and if you can view the treatment in a different light and perhaps think outside the box with the help of a trusted therapist, you are much more likely to have a successful outcome in treatment, even in the wake of repeated failed attempts. Kevin often shares with his clients, “Recovery isn’t necessarily always about trying harder, but about trying something different”.