About me
Hi, I’m Anne Simmons, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC, AMB-BC, CNE—a dual-certified Family and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner committed to delivering compassionate, integrative psychiatric and weigh management care that treats the whole person, not just a diagnosis.
My Journey
My path to healthcare began after earning a degree in Marketing Communications in 2004—but it was a calling to serve that led me into nursing in 2012. From my earliest experiences as a CNA to earning my MSN and DNP at DePaul University, and later completing a Post-Master’s Certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health at the University of St. Francis, my journey has been driven by a deep desire to understand and support people through their most vulnerable moments.
That desire became deeply personal as I navigated life as both a mother and a wife. Parenting a child with ADHD opened my eyes to the daily struggles families face—everything from misdiagnosis to misunderstanding—and ignited my passion for helping others advocate for evidence-based, empathetic care. At the same time, witnessing my husband’s experience as a veteran with PTSD gave me a new lens through which to understand trauma—one grounded in love, resilience, and the realities of navigating complex systems.
These experiences have deeply shaped my clinical work across pediatric care, women’s health, nephrology, and psychiatry. Today, in my private practice Hope in Motion, I bring together clinical knowledge and lived experience to support individuals across the lifespan—especially those living with ADHD, PTSD, depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions.
In parallel with my clinical work, I’ve served in nursing education and leadership at DePaul University since 2017, now as Assistant Director of the Master’s Entry to Nursing Practice program. I’ve mentored hundreds of future nurses, led curriculum innovation, and chaired task forces on quality improvement initiatives.
Whether I’m teaching, treating, or advocating—I’m here to walk alongside you. Because I’ve seen firsthand that healing begins with being heard.
Schedule at the link below for a 15-minute FREE consultation call to see if we are a good fit for you!
Hope in Motion Integrative Psychiatric Wellness 