Samantha Taylor
Hi, I’m Samantha. I’m a compassionate, trauma-informed social worker with a background in working with adolescents and families, including experience in residential treatment settings supporting teenage girls and boys who have experienced trauma, difficult life circumstances, and significant emotional and behavioral challenges. My work has taught me the importance of meeting people where they are, looking beyond behaviors, and understanding the experiences that may be underneath them. I believe therapy should feel like a safe place where you can show up exactly as you are—without judgment or pressure to have everything figured out. My approach is warm, genuine, and collaborative. I use approaches such as EMDR, DBT, and psychodynamic therapy to help clients process difficult experiences, understand patterns, develop healthier coping skills, and build a stronger sense of self. Most importantly, I want my clients to know they don’t have to navigate everything alone. My goal is to walk alongside you, provide a space where you feel truly heard and understood, and help you recognize your own strengths while working toward the life you want.
First session
During the first session, clients can expect a welcoming, judgment-free environment where they can begin to feel comfortable and understood. We will spend time getting to know each other, discussing what brought them to therapy, identifying current concerns, and talking about their goals for treatment. Clients will leave with a clearer understanding of how therapy can support them and the next steps we can take together. Most importantly, my goal is for clients to feel heard, respected, and empowered from the very beginning. Therapy is a collaborative process, and we will work together at a pace that feels appropriate for them.
Strengths
If you’re considering therapy, you may be wondering whether you’ll actually feel comfortable opening up to someone—and I understand that it can be difficult to take that first step. I want my clients to know that they don’t have to come into therapy with everything figured out. You can simply come as you are, and we’ll start there. What makes my approach stand out is that I focus on the person, not just the problem. My background working with adolescents, families, and individuals who have experienced trauma has taught me that there is often much more beneath the surface than what we see on the outside. I take the time to understand each client’s story, strengths, needs, and goals rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach. I bring a warm, genuine, and down-to-earth presence to therapy while incorporating approaches such as EMDR, DBT, and psychodynamic therapy. I believe therapy should be a place where you can be honest about where you are without feeling judged, while also being supported and encouraged to grow. My goal is to create a relationship where you feel safe enough to be vulnerable, understood enough to feel supported, and empowered to recognize that meaningful change is possible.
Ideal clients
My ideal client is someone who wants to feel truly heard, understood, and accepted for who they are. I especially enjoy working with teens and young adults who may be navigating trauma, anxiety, relationships, self-esteem, emotional regulation, or simply trying to figure out who they are and where they fit in the world. I believe therapy should feel like a safe place where you can show up as your authentic self without fear of judgment. I want my clients to know that they don’t have to have everything figured out before they walk through the door. We can work through the hard stuff together, at a pace that feels comfortable for you. I’m drawn to working with people who have been through difficult experiences and may feel like no one really understands what they’re going through. My goal is to create a genuine connection, build trust, recognize your strengths, and help you develop the tools and confidence to move forward. Most importantly, I want my clients to leave therapy feeling a little more understood, a little more hopeful, and more confident in themselves.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
In my practice, I use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as a structured, collaborative treatment that connects a person’s thoughts, emotions, physical reactions, and behaviors. A typical CBT process includes: Assessment and goal setting I first learn about the client’s concerns, history, current difficulties, and goals. Together, we identify specific, measurable treatment objectives. Understanding the CBT model I explain how situations can trigger automatic thoughts, which influence emotions and behavior. For example: Situation → Thought → Emotion → Behavior We examine how this cycle may be maintaining the problem. Identifying unhelpful thinking patterns We look for patterns such as catastrophizing, all-or-nothing thinking, mind-reading, or excessive self-criticism. I help the client evaluate these thoughts and develop more balanced alternatives. Behavioral strategies Depending on the client’s needs, we may use: Behavioral activation for depression Exposure exercises for anxiety or avoidance Problem-solving Relaxation and coping skills Assertiveness and communication practice Activity scheduling and habit change Homework and skills practice CBT usually involves practicing skills between sessions—for example, keeping a thought record, gradually facing an avoided situation, or scheduling meaningful activities. We review what happened and adjust the plan collaboratively. Review and progress monitoring I regularly assess symptoms, obstacles, and progress. If a strategy is not helping, we modify it rather than continuing automatically. Relapse prevention Toward the end of treatment, we identify warning signs, effective coping strategies, and a plan for handling future setbacks. CBT is generally present-focused, goal-oriented, and time-limited, although the pace and techniques are adapted to each individual. It is not about forcing positive thinking; rather, it helps clients examine their interpretations, test beliefs through experience, and build more effective ways of responding.
EMDR
I use EMDR as a supportive, trauma-focused approach to help clients work through experiences that may still be affecting how they feel, think, or respond today. I believe that healing begins with feeling safe, heard, and understood, so I take time to build trust and make sure clients feel comfortable before beginning trauma processing. I work collaboratively with each client and move at a pace that feels manageable for them. Before processing difficult experiences, I help clients develop coping and grounding skills so they have tools to manage difficult emotions both in and outside of sessions. As we move through EMDR, I help clients process painful experiences, reduce the intensity of distressing memories and triggers, and develop healthier, more compassionate beliefs about themselves. For me, EMDR is not about forcing someone to relive their trauma. It is about creating a safe space where clients can begin to understand what happened, recognize that they are no longer in that moment, and move toward feeling more empowered and in control of their lives. I feel honored to walk alongside clients through that process and celebrate the progress they make along the way.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I use DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) to help clients better understand and manage difficult emotions, navigate relationships, and develop healthier ways of coping with challenges. I believe that clients can be doing the best they can while also having the ability to learn new skills and make meaningful changes. I focus on meeting clients where they are without judgment while helping them build practical skills they can use in their everyday lives. This may include learning how to regulate intense emotions, tolerate distress without turning to unhealthy coping strategies, communicate more effectively, set healthy boundaries, and become more mindful of their thoughts and reactions. I especially value the balance DBT provides between acceptance and change. I want clients to feel validated and understood while also feeling empowered to make changes that move them toward the life they want. My goal is for clients to leave therapy with skills they can actually use—not just during difficult moments, but as part of their everyday lives. I strive to make DBT feel approachable and collaborative rather than like a list of rules or skills to memorize. I work alongside each client to identify what is most helpful for them and celebrate the small steps that build toward lasting change.
Psychodynamic
I use psychodynamic therapy to help clients better understand themselves, their emotions, and the experiences that have shaped who they are today. I believe that our past experiences, relationships, and patterns can sometimes influence how we respond to situations in the present, even when we may not fully recognize the connection. I create a safe and supportive space where clients can explore their thoughts, feelings, relationships, and experiences without fear of judgment. Together, we look for patterns in how they relate to themselves and others, explore emotions that may be difficult to express, and build a deeper understanding of what may be underneath their current struggles. I approach this work with curiosity and compassion rather than focusing on simply identifying what is “wrong.” My goal is to help clients develop greater self-awareness, understand the reasons behind certain patterns, and feel more empowered to make choices that align with the person they want to become. I believe that therapy is a collaborative process. I meet clients where they are, honor their individual experiences, and help them connect the past with the present in a way that supports meaningful growth and lasting change.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
White
Woman
Top specialties
Addiction / Substance Use
Emotional Regulation
Trauma and PTSD
Other specialties
Burnout
Foster Care/Adoption
Learning / School Challenges
Life Transitions
Sexual Abuse
Serves
Adults (18 to 64)
Individual Therapy
Man
Non-binary
Teenagers (13 to 17)
Transgender
Woman
Doesn't specialize in
Couples Counseling
Licensed in
TennesseeLicense 9882