Meet the Staff

Tasha Simmons, LCSW

Staff Counselor

Phone: 630-844-7558
Email: tashasimmons@aurora.edu

I approach counseling with a compassionate and empathetic heart, striving to create a safe, nonjudgmental space where individuals can speak their truth and begin their healing journey. I believe that therapy should honor each person’s unique story, and I work collaboratively with my clients to help them navigate life’s challenges with greater clarity, strength, and self-understanding.

I earned my Master’s in Social Work from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I am a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional and hold additional certifications in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Sexual Trauma, and Solution-Focused Therapy. My clinical interests include complex trauma, women’s mental health, and supporting individuals from BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities. I am deeply committed to culturally responsive, identity-affirming care that respects and uplifts each person’s lived experience.

Crystal Zepeda, LSW

Staff Counselor

Phone: 630-844-3689
Email: czepeda@aurora.edu

I’m a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from DePaul University and a master’s in Social Work from Lewis University. I’m certified in Complex Trauma, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and I’m passionate about supporting students through life’s challenges. My areas of focus include anxiety, relationship and family concerns, and life transitions. I have a deep commitment to working with BIPOC and LGBTQ+ students and strive to provide care that is inclusive, affirming, and culturally responsive.

My therapeutic approach is warm, empathetic, and collaborative. I work to create a safe and welcoming space where students feel comfortable, understood, and empowered to explore their experiences and make meaningful change. I also believe in the power of humor to build connections and ease tension, and I use it thoughtfully to help students feel more at ease in the therapeutic process. Above all, I aim to meet students where they are and walk alongside them with compassion and respect.