Dr. Robyn Trippany Simmons

Professor / Director of Faculty Development
Dr. Robyn Trippany Simmons

Robyn Trippany Simmons received her Ed.D. in Counselor Education from the University of Alabama in 2001 and has been a practicing counselor since 1996. She serves as a Professor in the Department of Counseling at the University of the Cumberlands and Director of Counseling Admissions. Dr. Simmons has also served in programmatic administrative and leadership positions for much of her career. Dr. Simmons’s research and clinical interests include sexual trauma, vicarious trauma, play therapy, and professional identity issues. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor in Alabama and is a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor. Dr. Simmons publishes and presents locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally on play therapy, creative approaches to therapy and clinical supervision, counselor education, and trauma counseling.

Ed.D., Counselor Education and Supervision, University of Alabama, 2001
M.A., Community Counseling, University of Alabama, 1996
B.A., Psychology, University of Alabama, 1994

Crable, A., Gray, E., & Simmons, R. T. (2022). An Inclusive Blueprint for Clinical Experiential Learning Through Cultural Context. Kendall Hunt.

Marrah, A., Chamberlin, B., Simmons, R.T., Bohecker, L. & Edwards, N. (2021). Educators engaging in courageous conversations about race. Counselor for Social Justice Newsletter (May 2021).

Trippany Simmons, R., Coker, J.K., Sheperis, D., Hanks, B. B., & Bohecker, L. (2021). Mothering identity experiences: A backwards glance. The Family Journal: Counseling and Therapy for Couples and Families, 29, 1-9. DOI:10.1177/10664807211023927

Trippany Simmons, R. & Ford, K. (2021). Understanding and Responding to Client Trauma: Neurobiology, Conceptualization, and Treatment. In P. Hinkley, A. Crable, J. Davis & A.Kuhnley (eds). Counseling women: Evidence-Based treatment with faith integration. Kendall Hunt.

Trippany Simmons, R., Lilley, S., & Kuhnley, A.K. (Eds). (2020). Introduction to Counseling: Integration of Faith, Professional Identity, and Clinical Practice. Kendall Hunt.

Presentations: 
Trippany Simmons, R. , Haight, M., Dixon-Saxon, S. (2018).  More than a Day on the Hill: Flipping the Script for Advocacy. Southern Association for Counseling Education and Supervision, Myrtle Beach, SC. October  2018.

Boatner, J., Chamberlin, B., Crable, A., Trippany Simmons, R., Van Wynsburg, K. (2019). Christianity in Counseling: Balancing Professional Ethics. Law and Ethics in Counseling Conference. New Orleans, LA. February 2019

Trippany Simmons, R. (2019). Being a Responsible Play Therapist: Ethics, Supervision, and Self-Care. Huntsville, AL. March 9, 2019.

Edwards, N., Trippany Simmons, R., Marrarh, A., Chamberlin, B. (2019). Let's Talk About It:  Courageous Conversations in Counselor Education. Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development Summit. Orlando, FL. June 22, 2019.

Paessler-Chesterton, H. & Trippany Simmons, R. (2020). Forgiveness: Using Spiritual Concepts to Improve Mental Health. Christian Association of Psychological Studies Annual Conference, Atlanta, GA. March 13, 2020.

Simmons, R., Chamberlin, B., Bohecker, Ly. Ford, K. Switzer, R., Davis, J., Takacs, M., Birtles, C., Byars, J. (2020)_The Social Crisis Student Support and Advocacy Model: Faculty in Act-ion. Irish-American Counseling Conference (Virtual). September 26, 2020.

Simmons, R. & Crable, A. (2021). The Emotional Brain: How Developmental Trauma Impacts Children. European Branch American Counseling Association Conference. September 24-25, 2021 (Virtual).

Simmons, R. & Butler, A. (2021). Developmental Trauma: Conceptualizing Interventions for Children. Alabama Counseling Association. Birmingham, AL. November 18, 2021.

Simmons, R. & Lee, J. (2021). Developing Counselor Identity in Internship: Using Virtual Sandtray in Supervision. Association for Creativity in Counseling Conference, December 8-10 (Virtual). 

Simmons, R. & Chamberlin, B. (2022). Counseling with Avatars: Ethical Considerations with Virtual Reality Training for Future Counselors. Law and Ethics in Counseling Conference, February 8-11, New Orleans, LA.

Lee-Oakes, R. (Producer). (2021, November 6). EP205: How to Become a Counseling in the US 
[Audio Podcast]. The Counselling Tutor. Retrieved from How to Become a Counsellor in the US • [Podcast for Student Counsellors] (counsellingtutor.com)

Shook, M. (Producer). (2019, September 24). EP143: Developing a Professional Identity – A Ref
flection with Robyn Trippany Simmons, Meagan Thompson, and Hayley Rose [Audio 
Podcast]. The Thoughtful Counselor. Retrieved from https://thethoughtfulcounsel
or.com/?p=227416.

Switala, R. P., Mazzone, J., & Prince, T. (Producers). (2021, March 8). Ep. 10: Stories from play 
therapy – An interview with Dr. Robyn Simmons [Audio podcast episode]. In RENAR 
Voice. Rho Eta Nu Alpha Rho of Chi Sigma Iota, Liberty University.

  • Trama

Contact

Office

Remote