Meet the Staff- Lokadia Sims

Author: Lokadia Sims, MA, CCC 

In this edition of “Meet the Westwind Staff,” we get to know Lokadia Sims.

Lokadia has been with us for just over a year now. She is a Registered Clinical Counsellor who is passionate about supporting individuals with eating disorder recovery.

Q. What led you to Westwind?

A. Having struggled with an Eating Disorder in my past and gone through the journey of recovery I have always been passionate about working with clients who struggle with Eating disorders/ Disordered eating. When I saw that a position opened at Westwind, I made a decision to apply not knowing what would happen. Having an idea of what the program was like I knew that the approach and values that Westwind stands by are things that I believe are necessary for an Eating Disorder program to be successful. When I got offered the position of counsellor, it was a no-brainer to accept as it has always been a dream job of mine.

Q. What has inspired you about working with Eating Disorders?

A. What inspires me about working with Eating Disorders is seeing the strength and courage people show when facing really tough challenges. Everyone’s experience is so unique, and I’m amazed by how resilient people can be. Being able to support someone as they work through their struggles and start to make positive changes is incredibly rewarding. I find it inspiring to witness those moments of growth and hope.

Q. If you could say one thing to someone seeking treatment, what would it be?

A. If I could say one thing to someone seeking treatment, it would be this: an eating disorder will do everything it can to convince you to stay stuck. It will distort how you see yourself, how you view food, and sometimes even how you perceive others. But none of those thoughts are facts. They might replay loudly in your mind for a while, but eventually, they will quiet down. One thing I want you to know is don’t wait until you feel “ready” to ask for help — because when you’re living in the eating disorder, it’s really hard to feel ready. Waiting might mean waiting forever. Recovery often starts before you feel fully prepared. No matter how overwhelming it feels or how loud those thoughts get, keep pushing forward. It will get easier. Don’t let the eating disorder’s voice control your journey. Trust your treatment team, trust in the hope of recovery, and give it your all — because you absolutely deserve the chance to experience the freedom and healing that recovery brings.

Q. What is one thing you practice to maintain positive mental health?

A. One thing I do to maintain positive mental health is creating small moments throughout the day for myself. I use these moments as opportunities to slow down, ground myself and reset so that I do not get caught up in rushing from thing to thing. Sometimes this looks like a quick 10-minute walk when I get home from work before going inside, and other times this looks like me taking a moment to notice how the wind feels on my skin. When I bring the intention of “this is for me” into these moments I can be more present and feel more grounded throughout my day.

Q. What are 3 fun facts about yourself?

1. I’m a very creative person. In my free time, I’m usually either working on an art project or coming up with new ideas I want to try. I love the process of watching something come together and seeing how much can be expressed through art. There are always moments in the middle where it looks nothing like what you imagined or hoped for, but then something shifts and the piece transforms into something meaningful.

2. I love to dance. I started dancing in my third year of college when I joined a hip hop dance team. After graduating, I lived in North Hollywood for four months and spent that time taking dance classes. I’ve explored a variety of styles, but contemporary and ballet are my favourites. I especially love how dance can be such a powerful way to connect with your body and express or release emotions.

3. I started making homemade birthday cakes for my kids after deciding to make a Paw Patrol cake for my daughter’s second birthday. From there, I realized I could keep learning and creating even more elaborate cakes. Since then, I’ve made a lion cake, a farm-themed cake, a 3D dinosaur cake, a castle cake, a Minecraft cake, and a 3D unicorn cake. I’ve really enjoyed the process of learning new skills and techniques while making cakes just for fun.

Q. What is your favourite TV show?

A. I’m usually watching some kind of cop or medical drama. Most recently, I’ve really been enjoying The Rookie, and I also love watching Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, and Chicago PD.