About Kristen Sims, LPC, NCC | Caring Minds Consulting

Kristen Sims

I use a strength-based, solution-focused approach to foster empowerment and resilience in every client.

I am the owner of Caring Minds Consulting, LLC, a Licensed Professional Counselor in Mississippi, a National Board Certified Counselor, and a National Board for Certified Counselors Minority Doctoral Fellow. I provide counseling, consultation, professional development, program development, and behavioral services for mental health agencies and school systems. My areas of expertise include special education, mental health disorders, program development, and behavioral health assessment. I also specialize in LGBTQ+ issues in counseling and in developing programs that meet the needs of diverse youth. I present on topics ranging from de-escalation and restraint strategies to depression and anxiety, and I created Safe Zone, an LGBTQ+ professional development certification. I also consult and provide training on supporting transgender and non-binary youth.

Licensure and Certifications:

Mississippi Licensed Professional Counselor

License #1914

National Board Certified Counselor

License #291969

Mississippi Department of Education approved Positive Behavior Specialist

Safe Zone Creator/Instructor

Former CPI: Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Certified Instructor

National Board for Certified Counselors Minority Doctoral Fellow

Theoretical Orientations:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

Solution Focused Therapy

LGBTQ+ Affirmative Therapy

Education:

Mississippi State University

PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision: Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Expected Graduation - 2026

Summa Cum Laude - 4.0

Mississippi State University - 2011

Masters of Science - Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Summa Cum Laude - 4.0

Mississippi State University - 2007

Bachelors of Arts - Communication (Journalism)

Schakouls Honors College

Summa Cum Laude - 4.0

Leadership Roles and Recent Awards:

Pascagoula Gautier School District

Whole Child Coordinator: 2021/2022 School Year

Lead Positive Behavior Specialist: 2018 - June 2022

Special Education Department Chair:

Lake Elementary 2019 - June 2022

District Strategic Planning Committee Leader:

Whole Child Education/Diversity 2021/2022 School Year

Gulf Coast Equality

President: October 2022 - April 2024

Vice President: January 2021 - October 2022

Fundraising Chair: January 2021 - November 2022

Marketing Chair: October 2021 - November 2022

Recent Awards

Gulf Coast Woman Magazine 100 SUCCESSFUL WOMEN TO KNOW Class of 2024

Gulf Coast Equality- 2024 Equality Award Winner

MS Governor’s Award Social Emotional Learning 2021

International Women’s Month Distinguished Honoree: March 2022

PREPS 2020 Creative Award “Exemplary Going the Distance SEL"

National Board for Certified Counselors Minority Doctoral Fellow: 2018

Presenting SEL card and activities to Special Education Directors

Leading the Whole Child and Diversity Committee during District-wide Strategic Planning

Leading the Whole Child Education/Diversity Strategic Planning Committee

Presenting SEL card and activities to Special Education Directors

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Testimonials

Dr. Chase McCullum

School Psychologist/Consultant

"Kristen is the epitome of professionalism, compassion, and intelligence. She seems to have an uncanny ability to identify practical and effective solutions to some of the most difficult problems that students, families, and educators face."