I’M TIANA.
I am a born and raised Mankato, MN native who originally followed a career path into Social Work after high school graduation. Back at that time, I didn't even really know what 'Social Work' was until I took my first course in college only to realize, "Hmmm...well this is actually what has been a part of my life all along."
In that moment, I came to realize that my hardships and struggles of growing up as a bi-racial child in a low income, single parent family were also influenced by a presence of mentors, community resources and financial support systems across my childhood development. I realized how significant these supports and systems were in the trajectory of my life up to that point, even as a young 18-year-old. It became clear to me how critical they were in building my resilience as a child, so that I had the opportunity to overcome barriers and ultimately, develop into the thriving adult I am today.
To say it simply, I was once the one who was given to, and now I am passionate about giving back. From one stepping stone to the next, life led me to become a therapist, and here I am today.
“I have experienced firsthand how EMDR facilitated my own brain’s process to identify the true roots to my problems – my own past hang-ups, upsetting experiences and past emotional wounds, and re-wire them so they no longer hold a ‘charge’ – over me or how I move forward with my life. ”
How EMDR Changed My Life
Engaging in my own therapy (and being ‘the client’ first) was where I was first introduced to Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and it was a game changer - it actually works.
While traditional talk therapy was a great starting point to gain some initial insights to my problems, after several months I got to a point in my healing journey where I found that simply just talking about my problems wasn’t cutting it anymore. I noticed that therapy sessions plateaued and I wasn’t really seeing any significant progress or change with my presenting issues that I was still coming to therapy for, or in a more timely, effective manner. That is, until I did EMDR.
EMDR revealed to me how negative aspects of my past were continuing to play out in my current life and relationships with others that I was not even aware of. Ultimately, this is what was keeping me subconsciously stuck in those bothersome, long-standing cycles of distress, dissatisfaction, negative behaviors and confusion that just kept lingering without any clear connection to the root. Had I not done EMDR, I’d probably be in those same cycles yet today.
To say the least, the results I experienced from EMDR were profound. This is what ultimately inspired me to become trained, and then certified, in this evidence-based therapy modality as a clinician. Don’t just take my word for it, though - EMDR is one of the most extensively researched and highly effective psychotherapy methods out there!
Because of my personal experience of using EMDR to resolve my own traumas and emotional wounds of the past, I am eager to bring the opportunity for people who are highly motivated and ready to experience the powerful benefits of EMDR themselves – to effectively bring awareness to the roots of what keeps you ‘stuck’ – in stress, dissatisfaction, negative behaviors or cycles – so you can resolve it directly and move forward in creating the life you truly want to live.
Tiana’s Clinical Experience & Educational Background
Tiana FitzSimmons, MSW, LICSW
EMDR Certified Therapist
I have been practicing therapy in the Mankato, MN area for the past 10 years. I graduated with a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from Minnesota State University-Mankato after previously earning a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree from the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University, where I majored in Social Work and minored in coaching.
I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) through the Minnesota Board of Social Work, and continue to practice as a therapist certified in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) through the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA).
I continue to engage in advanced trainings in EMDR, as I use this evidenced-based therapy modality exclusively in my practice to help people heal from a wide range of presenting issues and concerns, including but not limited to: anxiety, depression, traumatic experiences, relationship or interpersonal difficulties, phase of life transitions, insecurities/self-esteem issues, grief and loss, urges/addictive behavior or negative habits, and a range of other struggles or hardships people may experience across their lifetime.