Our Staff
Emer Simpson, SUDP
Clinical Director
Emer Simpson serves as the clinical director for Royal Life Centers’ detox and inpatient facility in Spokane, Washington. Since joining Royal Life in 2019 as a dedicated and compassionate therapist, Emer has embodied the organization’s motto, “Because We Care,” in every aspect of her work. As a licensed Substance Use Disorder Professional (SUDP), she combines her expertise and heartfelt guidance to inspire hope and healing, firmly believing that no one is beyond recovery from the devastation of substance abuse.
Emer began her journey in the field of chemical dependency treatment in 1998, earning her license in 2003. Over the course of her career, she has worked with diverse populations in a range of addiction treatment settings. For instance, she spent 11 years supporting tribal youth at the Healing Lodge of the Seven Nations and another 9 years providing care for adult men and women at American Behavioral Health Systems. These experiences have shaped her approach to treatment, making her a trusted and compassionate leader in the field.
With a deep understanding of therapeutic practices, Emer integrates a variety of evidence-based modalities into her work, including Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Motivational Interviewing. She also embraces the holistic, whole-person philosophy of the medicine wheel, helping individuals reconnect with their sense of self-worth. Emer is passionate about recognizing the inherent value of each person, emphasizing that our worth is not defined by our behaviors. By drawing on an individual’s strengths, culture, and spirituality, she fosters personal transformation that ripples out to benefit the broader community.
With over 25 years of experience, Emer has positively impacted the lives of incarcerated individuals, Native American youth, and guests of Royal Life Centers. She also utilizes her expertise to our content writers by reviewing and approving our addiction recovery blogs. A proud Choctaw descendant, she is deeply connected to her heritage and driven by a vision of hope, aiming to inspire recovery and resilience for the next seven generations.
