Tom Simon
Tom Simon is a Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor in the State of Maryland. He is a member of the American Counseling Association and the Association for Spiritual, Ethical and Religious Values in Counseling. His experience includes counseling at the Arlington Free Clinic in Arlington, Virginia and Ephesians Life Ministries in Silver Spring, Maryland.
Tom received a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from St. Louis University and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Chicago. After a successful 35 year career as a consultant and senior manager leading management reform and cultural change efforts, he went back to school to study Pastoral Counseling. He received a Masters in Pastoral Counseling from Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia, and was elected to membership in Chi Sigma Iota Honor Society. For two semesters he was asked to be a guest presenter in the Advanced Human Development class on the subject of older adult development. While a student, Tom spent nearly a year and a half as an Intern Chaplain at the Virginia Hospital Center. While there he authored a pamphlet, “I Never Thought I Would Have to Make This Decision,” designed to assist family members and others with making end of life decisions regarding loved ones. He also cofounded with his wife, Lin, the Caring Companions for the Dying Program to assure no one died alone and assist families of the dying.
Tom works with adults and couples addressing depression, adjustment disorders, anger, anxiety, grief, relationship and self esteem issues. Tom’s first and most important priority is to help clients address the issue and/or relieve the pain that brought them to therapy. He also has a longer term goal to help clients obtain a higher level of satisfaction with the quality of their life. Even after the problems that originally brought them to therapy are resolved, there will be negative events that make them anxious, sad or angry. The important thing is the ability to deal with these events, not letting them overwhelm and being able to return to a positive state. A significant part of therapy is to give a storehouse of resources and tools with which to deal with negative events - both past and future. This includes assisting client find meaning or the unique purpose for which God created them. Ultimate meaning is found in spirituality and religion – our relationship with God. Therefore, spirituality and Biblical teachings are part of the therapy process.
Tom’s work is guided by his own Mission Statement:
Success is helping others to become
Healthier,
Wiser,
Kinder – more loving,
Freer – more autonomous,
Closer to God,
and more likely themselves to help others be the same.
Tom and Lin enjoy their family which includes seven grown children and eight grandchildren.