Nya Joy Simmons
Denver
Summary
Dedicated Therapist Intern with experience in individual and group therapy. Specializes in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), implementing customized care plans and continuous progress assessments. Committed to evidence-based practices, focusing on improving mental health outcomes for women and children.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
Intern
Savio House
Lakewood
06.2026 - Current
- Implemented trauma-informed strategies to assist families navigating complex PTSD challenges.
- Utilized evidence-based techniques in child and family therapy to strengthen familial connections.
- Applied Trauma Systems Therapy principles to address systemic trauma effectively.
- Employed TF-CBT (Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) to enhance therapeutic outcomes.
Case Manager
Rocky Mountain Human Services
Aurora
01.2026 - Current
- Coordinated client assessments and developed individualized service plans.
- Facilitated communication between clients and service providers.
- Conducted home visits to evaluate living conditions and support needs.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to enhance service delivery.
- Provided crisis intervention and support during critical situations.
- Provided case management services including intake, assessment, crisis intervention, advocacy, referral and monitoring of families.
Yoga Teacher
Riverpointe Senior Living
Denver
01.2025 - 01.2026
- Managed high caseload of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities through in-person assessments.
- Facilitated communication between clients and service providers to ensure comprehensive care.
- Monitored client progress, adjusting care plans to meet evolving needs.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to improve service delivery effectiveness.
- Delivered crisis intervention and support during critical situations to stabilize situations.
- Provided case management services, including intake assessment, advocacy, and family monitoring.
Creative Writing Teacher
Kenton and Parklane Elementary
Aurora
01.2025 - 01.2026
- Designed and delivered creative writing lessons for children ages 6 to 12, focusing on poetry and storytelling skills.
- Cultivated supportive, imaginative environment that promoted positive self-expression and unique voices.
- Facilitated workshops to enhance storytelling techniques and foster creativity among students.
Behavioral Health Specialist
Children's Hospital of Colorado
Aurora
08.2023 - 08.2025
- Delivered therapeutic care to children requiring intensive mental health services as behavioral health specialist.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary team, ensuring patient safety and well-being.
- Facilitated group therapy sessions utilizing unified protocol to enhance therapeutic outcomes.
- Provided crisis intervention and support to families experiencing distress.
Registered Behavioral Therapist
The Behavior Exchange
Boulder
01.2023 - 12.2023
- Delivered one-on-one therapy to children ages two to twelve with autism.
- Managed 2-5 client sessions daily, providing detailed progress updates to BCBA.
- Collaborated with families to support education on effective behavioral strategies.
Undergraduate Researcher at RAP LAB
University of Colorado Boulder
Boulder
01.2021 - 01.2023
- Collected qualitative data on psychology of relatability and connection for trauma processing in African American student community.
- Conducted interviews through personal podcast, The Joyful Response, focusing on student success stories.
- Assisted faculty with data collection and analysis for multiple research studies.
- Collaborated with peers to design and implement effective research methodologies.
- Presented findings at departmental meetings to stimulate academic discussions.
Behavioral Therapist
Key Autism Services
01.2022 - 01.2023
- Delivered individualized in-home therapy to children with Autism, utilizing data analysis to inform and tailor treatment plans for optimal client outcomes.
Assistant Instructor
RAB Lab/Lyripeutics
01.2021 - 01.2023
- Educated high school students on different aspects of Hip Hop Pedagogy including spoken word, Hip-hop dance, and lyricism.
- Assisted in the development of their craft to cultivate a space for positive self expression and liberation.
Undergraduate Research Assistant
University of Colorado Boulder
01.2020 - 01.2023
- Assisted in developing curriculum and managing content for social media accounts focused on female empowerment.
- Implemented workshops on consent culture and vocal empowerment.
- Reshaped future conversations by analyzing qualitative data from these workshops, providing valuable insights into the field of feminist studies.
Assistant Instructor
SPEAK Vocal Empowerment
01.2020 - 01.2023
- Facilitated discussions with middle and high school girls on topics such as self-empowerment, bodily autonomy, sexual health, and preventing sexual violence.
Undergraduate Researcher at FCN LAB
University of Denver
Denver
01.2022 - 08.2022
- Coding and analyzing videos of mothers and their children engaging in uninterrupted play to investigate the impact of the mother's sensitivity on the child's behavioral cues.
- Analyzed data using statistical software for project insights.
Undergraduate Research with Photovoice
University of Colorado Boulder
Denver
06.2021 - 08.2022
- Established space for youth to document gentrification's impact on holistic health.
- Conceptualized and curated over 500 images for final presentation at Denver Art Museum.
- Generated innovative ideas to elevate team performance and achieve outcomes.
- Collaborated with diverse team members to resolve product and service-related issues.
Childcare Behavioral Analyst
CrestView Elementary
01.2022 - 06.2022
- Conducted ethnographic research on social and emotional behaviors of children aged five to twelve.
- Applied behavioral therapy techniques to support children in managing emotional challenges during play.
- Analyzed student data to identify learning trends and enhance instructional effectiveness.
Undergraduate Researcher in Ethnic Studies
University of Colorado Boulder
Boulder
01.2022 - 04.2022
- Examined impact of racially acknowledging versus generic emails on likelihood of black individuals seeking therapy during covid-19.
- Collected and analyzed quantitative data from hundreds of subjects to understand perceptions of mono-racial black female professors' hairstyles.
- Utilized statistical software to analyze data, reinforcing credibility of research findings.
Education
MA - Clinical Mental Health Counseling
School of Education And Human Development At The University of Colorado Denver
Denver, CO12-2026
B.S. - Psychology, Minor in Dance
University of Colorado Boulder
Boulder, CO05-2023
Skills
- Client assessments
- Individual support planning
- Crisis intervention
- Resource coordination
- Resource management
- Data collection and analysis
- Active listening
- Verbal and written communication
- Collaborative teamwork and problem-solving
- Client advocacy
Awards
- McNair Scholar, University of Colorado Boulder
- UROP Grant, Three thousand dollars granted to fund my independent project.
- SAVIT Scholar
Publications
Simmons, N., Hackett, C., Osnes, B., Boyd, E., Against Rationality: The Role of Educator Self-Disclosure in Sexual Violence Prevention Education., 01/21
Presentations
Creating Worldchangers, TEDxCU Denver, 04/18/25
Timeline
Intern
Savio House
06.2026 - Current
Case Manager
Rocky Mountain Human Services
01.2026 - Current
Yoga Teacher
Riverpointe Senior Living
01.2025 - 01.2026
Creative Writing Teacher
Kenton and Parklane Elementary
01.2025 - 01.2026
Behavioral Health Specialist
Children's Hospital of Colorado
08.2023 - 08.2025
Registered Behavioral Therapist
The Behavior Exchange
01.2023 - 12.2023
Behavioral Therapist
Key Autism Services
01.2022 - 01.2023
Undergraduate Researcher at FCN LAB
University of Denver
01.2022 - 08.2022
Childcare Behavioral Analyst
CrestView Elementary
01.2022 - 06.2022
Undergraduate Researcher in Ethnic Studies
University of Colorado Boulder
01.2022 - 04.2022
Undergraduate Research with Photovoice
University of Colorado Boulder
06.2021 - 08.2022
Undergraduate Researcher at RAP LAB
University of Colorado Boulder
01.2021 - 01.2023
Assistant Instructor
RAB Lab/Lyripeutics
01.2021 - 01.2023
Undergraduate Research Assistant
University of Colorado Boulder
01.2020 - 01.2023
Assistant Instructor
SPEAK Vocal Empowerment
01.2020 - 01.2023
MA - Clinical Mental Health Counseling
School of Education And Human Development At The University of Colorado Denver
B.S. - Psychology, Minor in Dance
University of Colorado Boulder