Simone French Hall Banks, M.Ed, LCMHC, PSC
she/her
Simone specializes in working with children (10+), teens, couples, and families, helping with issues such as anxiety, perfectionism, overachievers, sports psychology, family dynamics, and struggling with boundaries.
Simone has a diverse background of experiences with children, teens, young adults, couples, and families in several major cities in the United States. As a former teacher and school counselor, Simone truly believes that therapy is great for the overall wellness of people in all stages of life. Simone went to Howard University and brings cultural competency and social consciousness that is needed in the intersectionality of being a person of the Black Diaspora in the United States. If you are looking for a kind, caring, and non-judgmental ear that's here to hold space for you then you've come to the right place.
*Simone is currently practicing via telehealth/virtual sessions only.
Qualifications |
Simone received her Bachelor of Arts in History with a concentration in US History and the African Diaspora in 2010. Simone received her Master of Education in Counselor Education degree from Louisiana State University with a concentration in Clinical Mental Health and School Counselor in 2018. Since conferring her degree in 2018, Simone has been working as a counselor in K-12 settings, non-profit, the tech industry, telehealth, and private practice. She is clinically licensed as a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in North Carolina (LCMHC 15463), and a Professional School Counselor in North Carolina (PSC 1236110).
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Counseling Background |
While completing her Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health/School Counseling, Simone interned with two of the most diverse schools in the East Baton Rouge Parish District. Simone was a Graduate Assistant in the University Center for Freshmen Year on Louisiana State University's campus, where she guided students with less than 60 credits through course selection, exploring campus resources, and ways to advocate for themselves. After graduating, Simone moved to Charlotte and worked at one of the largest charter school systems for 3.5 years. During this time Simone, utilized individual, group, and family therapy, as well as advising first-generation students through the college process. While working as a high school counselor, Simone worked on her clinical hours for her North Carolina license as a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor. Simone left K-12 settings to pursue more focused and specialized therapy in the private practice setting, where she works with folks ages 10+ on a variety of issues and diverse backgrounds.
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Specialization |
Common issues that Simone has worked with include anxiety, racial identity and trauma, depression, family dynamics, grief and loss, life changes, setting boundaries, self-esteem, and spiritual and religious trauma. Simone has a background as an athlete and has found another niche in sports psychology, working with children and adults who are competitive athletes. Simone welcomes clients ages 10 and older and holds space for all gender expressions, races, and affectional orientations, beliefs, and cultures.
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Personal Life |
Simone is a third-generation educator and a second-generation mental health counselor who was born and raised in the city of Chicago. Simone has lived in several US cities, and now calls Charlotte home. Simone spends most of her time with her husband, their daughter, their 80 lb rescue Labrador, and her Baby Boomer Mom who just moved to Charlotte. Simone identifies as many things-- Geriatric Millennial, ENFJ, Only Child, Proud HBCU graduate, Reality TV/Pop Culture Enthusiast, and Womanist. Simone's therapist dream is to be the therapist of a famous comedian-- she loves the stories comedians tell about their therapy sessions.
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