Sam Marra
New to Grow
Hi, I'm Sam, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who believes that therapy should feel like a collaborative process rather than something that's done to you. My approach is warm, practical, and grounded in the belief that meaningful change is possible, even when life feels overwhelming or uncertain. I work with adults and couples navigating anxiety, stress, relationship challenges, life transitions, grief, and questions about identity and purpose. I have a particular passion for working with men of all ages especially those who have spent much of their lives carrying responsibilities, taking care of others, or feeling like they have to figure everything out on their own. My goal is to provide a space where you can be honest, feel understood, and develop practical tools that help you build a life that aligns with your values and what matters most to you.
Get to know me
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
Starting therapy can feel intimidating, especially if this is your first time. My goal is to make the process feel comfortable and collaborative from the very beginning. During our first session, we'll spend time getting to know one another and discussing what brings you to therapy. I'll want to understand the challenges you're facing, what's been helpful or unhelpful in the past, and what you'd like to be different in your life moving forward. You don't need to have everything figured out or know exactly what to say. There is no pressure to share everything all at once. We'll move at a pace that feels right for you. By the end of our first session, my hope is that you'll leave with a better understanding of the issues you're facing, a sense of what our work together might look like, and the reassurance that you don't have to navigate these challenges alone.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
I believe that therapy is most effective when it balances compassion with practical change. My style is warm, direct, and collaborative. I strive to create an environment where clients feel accepted and supported while also being gently challenged to move toward the life they want to create. I draw from several evidence-based approaches, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), attachment-based therapy, and Adlerian principles. Rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach, I tailor therapy to each person's unique needs, goals, and strengths. Clients often appreciate that our conversations feel natural and down-to-earth. I don't believe you need to be "broken" to benefit from therapy. Sometimes people simply need a space to slow down, gain clarity, and develop new ways of responding to life's challenges. Whether you're struggling with anxiety, relationship difficulties, stress, grief, or feeling stuck, my goal is to help you better understand yourself, strengthen your relationships, and build a life that feels more meaningful and fulfilling.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I enjoy working with adults who feel stuck, stressed, or disconnected from the life they want to be living. Many of my clients come to therapy struggling with anxiety, relationship challenges, life transitions, grief, or simply feeling like they've lost their footing. I have a particular passion for working with men of all ages, especially those who have spent much of their lives carrying responsibilities, taking care of others, or feeling like they have to figure everything out on their own. I also work with couples who want to improve communication, navigate conflict, and strengthen their relationship. My clients don't need to have all the answers. They just need a willingness to be honest, curious, and open to making meaningful changes.
Specialties
Top specialties
Couples Counseling
Life Transitions
Men's Issues
Other specialties
Addiction
Anxiety
Depression
I identify as
Asian / Asian American
Man
Native American
Person of Color (POC)
White
Serves ages
Adults (18 to 64)
Elders (65 and above)
Teenagers (13 to 17)
Licensed in
California
Accepts
Arlo
Location
Virtual
My treatment methods
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
I use ACT to help clients break free from patterns that keep them stuck, develop greater flexibility, and move toward a life that reflects what matters most to them.
Adlerian
I use an Adlerian approach to explore how early experiences and beliefs influence present-day patterns and to help clients create meaningful, lasting change.
Attachment-based
I help clients understand how past and present relationships shape the way they connect with others (as well as themselves), fostering healthier and more secure relationships.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I help clients identify and explore unhelpful thoughts and beliefs while developing practical tools for managing anxiety, depression, stress, and difficult emotions.
Couples Counseling
I work with couples to improve communication, repair disconnection, rebuild trust, and strengthen the emotional bond that supports a healthy relationship.