Jamie Simond is a determined, energetic and bubbly person who’s bound to make you laugh with her diverse sense of humor. She works as a middle school paraprofessional and permanent substitute teacher at Memorial Junior High in Lansing. She is also interning at Living Waters Counseling Center, where she assists in adolescent therapy sessions and other interventions. Her work with students and clients has only intensified her passion for owning her own practice.

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Her goal is to create safe spaces where youth feel comfortable sharing and understanding their emotions. She aims to teach healthy coping mechanisms within a community of peers who can relate to one another. Through interventions, coping activities and faith-based practices, Simond has made an impact on her students and patients. She believes her love for kids and patience allow her to connect deeply and support their breakthroughs. She also strongly believes art and music therapy play an essential role in mental health growth and hopes to see them more widely used in practice.

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Something people may not know about Simond is that she is a professional singer. According to her mother, she has been singing “since she came out of the womb” and has built a successful yet humble career from it. Starting in choir at age 10, she grew her skills and has traveled and performed with various artists. When she’s not singing or working, she enjoys practicing yoga.

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At Youth Empowerment Day, Simond will lead the workshop “How to Catch a Thought.” The session focuses on teaching skills to address emotions as they arise, understand them in the moment and manage them to avoid unwanted outcomes. The idea behind “catching” a thought is being able to pause and recognize an emotion—whether in behavior, mindset or situation. Simond hopes to create a confidential, judgment-free environment where youth only participate if they feel comfortable. Her warm and welcoming personality will help her connect with them throughout the process.