I love to foster a safe space to explore, manage, and face the daily stressors and long-term challenges of life for adolescents/young adults and women. I use my expertise, research, and personal experience to serve two special populations, anxious teenagers/young adults and moms. The weight of feeling like I can not handle what I am experiencing is overwhelming, but it does not have to feel that way forever.

To the teen or young adult girl that feels that she is walking without a map and is trying to figure out her relationship with her friends, family, body, performance, etc., you do not have to do it alone. I want to walk alongside you while we figure out how to find healthy ways to deal with anxiety, learn to live according to what matters most to you, and make peace in your relationship with yourself and others.

I also focus on working with women who are prenatal, postpartum, or have experienced infant loss at any time. As someone who has experienced the overwhelming pain and confusion of miscarriage, I understand what it feels like to be faced with seemingly insurmountable loss. This heartbreaking experience drives my passion to help women in similar situations navigate their grief, honor their child, and find hope to move forward when it feels like there is none.

Whether through writing helpful content, meeting with individual clients, and talking to groups, my desire is to cultivate safe spaces to talk about hard things. Let’s connect and see where we can grow together.

Samantha earned her Master of Health Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Catawba College. She is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor through the NC Board of Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors (#17770) and a Licensed Professional Counselor through the SC Board of Licensed Professional Counselors (#10262). Samantha is also a Certified Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist, a Nationally Certified Counselor, a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, a Certified Addictions-Informed Mental Health Provider, a Certified Sex Offender Treatment Professional, and a Registered Child Forensic Interviewer. Additionally, Samantha is trained in Trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy, and Somatic Experiencing.

Samantha has had the opportunity to work with patients with a variety of mental health concerns in school-based, college mental health, and outpatient settings. Her clinical focus is on severe and persistent mental health concerns, with a concentration on mood disorders. Samantha utilizes an integrative approach, combining Cognitive Behavioral, Interpersonal, and Psychoanalytic techniques. Therefore, during sessions, she commonly assists in identifying and challenging self-limiting patterns, healing from past experiences, and gaining insight into how the unconscious influences behavior. Her research interests include the intersection of mental health and the criminal justice system, the development of neurodevelopmental disorders, and genetic links between schizophrenia and associated comorbid conditions.

If you are struggling to cope with stress and anxiety from past or ongoing difficulties (such as school/work stress, friendship/relationship problems, bullying, or family dynamics), I can help you process and problem-solve your experiences and offer a path forward. This includes learning coping skills and interpersonal effectiveness, as well as examining thought and behavior patterns. I enjoy working collaboratively with my clients to help them be the best version of themselves by helping them to identify their goals and to leverage their strengths to meet those goals.

Are you or your child struggling in school and you don't know why or how to help? A psychoeducational evaluation can determine if an individual meets criteria for a learning disability or ADHD, as well as highlight strengths and weaknesses and guide academic and treatment recommendations (including accommodations on standardized tests, if appropriate).

I am currently conducting all therapy via telehealth and am accepting new clients ages 12+ in DC, MD, VA, NJ, PA, & more. Psychoeducational evaluations are conducted in DC only (ages 6+). Please feel free to email me so we can set up a brief phone consultation to see if I can help. If I can't, I'll try to point you in the right direction.

2. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who specializes in helping clients overcome the loss of self, anxiety, and depression in a matter of months rather than years so that they can experience the present, increase acceptance and live with more purpose. My experience spans approximately fifteen years in the mental health field, I have a bachelor’s Degree from Portland State University (1999) and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Arizona State University in 2005. I have worked in a variety of treatment settings, including inpatient psychiatric hospitals, level-one trauma centers, community crisis response, private practice, and in-home counseling. Having worked as a Clinical Social worker for 10+ years my training is rooted in systems theory which has taught me to evaluate the whole person, and to look at their individual needs, influences, and strengths which helps deliver personalized treatment for all of my clients. I have further training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Brief Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and mindfulness techniques which have helped me specialize in anxiety and life transitions. Today I offers individual counseling for adults struggling with loss of identity, anxiety, agoraphobia, new medical/psychiatric diagnosis, depression, grief, co-occurring issues, stress management, and/or anyone who hopes to improve their ability to be present.

Telemental Health
Serving clients with Trauma, Complex Trauma, PTSD, Bipolar D/O, Anxiety, Depression and Gender issues

The best place to change and grow is in relationships. I specialize in providing a safe, supportive and collaborative environment for each client who steps into my office. Whether it is through their anxiety, with their significant other or processing spiritual or relational trauma, my goal is connection. When that connection is fostered, I help clients unpack their feelings, process their irrational thoughts and get to the root of their struggles for true change to take place. It’s not about a quick fix but deep processing through a supportive, empathetic environment!

As a Licensed Professional Counselor, I earned a Master of Arts in professional counseling, with a concentration in trauma counseling, from Richmont Graduate University (formerly Psychological Studies Institute). Additionally I am trained in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR). My expertise includes trauma, a variety of mood disorders, grief, depression, anxiety, faith-based issues, relationship difficulties, and transitions. I am passionate about equipping my clients to live happier, healthier lives. This is accomplished by listening to each individual’s unique story, creating a plan to address concerns, and walking alongside the client throughout the process. Together we can address thought processes or behaviors that pose obstacles to wellbeing, equipping you for successful problem solving strategies, and improving interpersonal effectiveness.

My approach to therapy is to compassionately keep it real. I believe in working as equal partners you are the expert in your own life and experiences, and I bring expertise in the science of change. With over 20 years of experience, I specialize in addressing stress, anxiety, depression, attention challenges, and the ways these concerns can manifest physically in the body.

Using evidence-based approaches like motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, and elements of dialectical behavioral therapy, I create a collaborative space where meaningful growth and healing can happen. Together, we’ll navigate the challenges and work toward positive change.