About Samantha
I have always been particularly drawn to noticing, listening to, and appreciating people and their unique stories and personalities. I believe each person is unquestionably valuable and irreplaceable, and I’m passionate about helping people learn to cherish themselves as such. I recognize that certain experiences can have a way of wounding us and clouding our understanding of ourselves and the world around us, but I believe having a safe space to open up, explore, and process our own story can help us begin to heal and move forward with a new appreciation of who we are and, more importantly, who we want to be.
I began my journey toward becoming a therapist at California Lutheran University (CLU), where I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 2018. I then received a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology (MFT) with a specialization in trauma in 2021 from the same university. During my time in graduate school, I received direct counseling experience at CLU’s Community Counseling Services, where I worked primarily with adults and adolescents.
My counseling style is primarily Emotion-Focused (EFT) with a Client-Centered approach, however I also like to integrate systemic thinking, especially when working with families. I also favor mindfulness-based counseling techniques and often use mindfulness exercises during sessions to help clients learn to calm and synchronize their mind and body. I am a trauma-informed therapist and I believe it is useful to provide my clients with psychoeducation surrounding the dynamic effects of trauma.