Samantha Morris
Hello and welcome! My name is Sami, you can also call me Sam or Samantha. I use she/her pronouns.
I am a certified sex therapist (additional training from the general sex therapist title) and I am licensed in a few different states.
I am an individual, relational and sex therapist. Therapy is my third career and my passion. I am currently licensed in PA, CT, DE, NJ, VA and WI. I am a certified sex therapist through the AASECT (American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists), which means I have additional training in sex therapy topics compared to other sex therapists and other types of therapists. I am in a partnered relationship and we are married. We have a dog (Harley) and two cats (Braveheart and Smalls). We live in southwestern Chester County, PA. I am a White, cis-gender female. I use she/her pronouns. I am queer identified, Kink/BDSM identified, and non-traditional relationship identified. I offer both virtual and in-person sessions. My physical office location is in Media, PA. My dog, Harley, attends in person sessions with me. She is very friendly and loves people but also knows boundaries that are set with each client. Native land acknowledgment: The Media office and my home office where I see clients virtually are both located in the native land of Lenape Haki-nk (Lenni-Lenape).
First session
Many of us have fears, preconceptions, or even no idea at all about what therapy will be like the first time we try it, whether new to therapy or starting with a different therapist. After your first appointment is scheduled, you will be asked to fill out a variety of forms. Please fill out the intake form with as much information as you feel comfortable). You will also be required to fill out other documents such as a consent for treatment and beginning assessment scales (depression, anxiety, PTSD, or any other scales that may apply). I always have everyone fill out these initial documents so that I can have a baseline of where you are. Subsequent scales depend on your treatment goals, progress, and whether insurance is being used (some insurances require specific periodic scales to be completed). If in person - when you arrive for your appointment, you’ll walk through our front door and make yourself comfortable in our waiting room on one of the chairs. While you wait for your appointment, there is a selection of magazines to look through on the table and shelf on the wall. There is also complimentary Wi-Fi,. There is an area where you can treat yourself to coffee, tea, and water. There’s also a private and non-gendered restroom for your use. Please feel free to bring any beverage into session with you. I will then come out to get you when it is time and give you the tour of our office (first session) and then bring you back to my office. As mentioned above, my dog Harley comes to the office with me and will be in our session. She enjoys coming out to greet clients, brining them back to session, and then walking them out. While she is usually off leash in the office, I am happy to keep her on a leash if you would prefer and at any time during sessions. Once we go into my office, we will settle in for the session. The office is a room with a couch, a desk, an office chair, a couple of tables, some shelves with some books and plants, and some of Harley's things (food/water bowls, a bed for her and a small bin of toys). You can sit however you want to sit or even lay down on the couch. Harley may come and greet you as well and you are welcome to interact with her as much or as little as you desire. She will pick up on your queues. I will also have control of her at all times, so if you do not like something, please let me know. Whether in person or virtual, we will then begin our session. I will remind you that what you talk about in session is completely confidential with a few legal and ethical exceptions, which will be explained to you (and which are outlined in our consent to treat document). If you have any questions about those policies, you’re absolutely encouraged to ask! I will also discuss other policies (cancellation, payment, session length, scheduling, or other ‘frequently asked questions’). This all generally only takes a few minutes and I'm happy to answer any questions you may have. Then, depending on the level of crisis that you’re currently experiencing, I might review with you my particular style of therapy, discuss your intake form with you, begin a more thorough assessment of your history, or just ask you what brings you here today. From there on, it’s a conversation and there are no right or wrong things for you to say — I only ask that you try to be as honest as possible. Please note that I know I must earn your trust and that can take time. I will have my laptop computer out for taking notes. These notes are entirely confidential. The only time that I am required to release the notes are if you request them with a written a release of information or if a judge orders me to do so. All notes are kept under substantial protection and are HIPPA compliant.
Strengths
Within this career, I have acquired education and experience within specialized therapeutic approaches to discuss a wide variety of topics and also have the privilege to work with populations that include marginalized people. I continue to expand my knowledge and experience. My therapeutic style encompasses humor, self-disclosure, compassion, and empathy. I feel that honesty and authenticity are important. I feel that we are all ever-evolving through learning and growing. I have a Master's degree in social work and a Master's degree in education in human sexuality studies which sets me apart from many other therapists. I am a certified sex therapist (additional training from the general sex therapist title). I am licensed in multiple states. I'm comfortable talking about everything that you want to share, while listening with curiosity, compassion, and empathy. Some clients worry that what they want to share is or may be too much for me to handle. I encourage you to share anything on your mind. I enjoy feedback from my clients as our therapeutic relationship is vital and the basis for great work to be achieved. I know realizing that you need help or additional support is a huge step. Life can be difficult, but you do not need to tackle everything on your own. Let me help you in your journey called life.
Ideal clients
I work with adult (18+) individuals, partnerships, couples, and multiple partnerships. I will work in collaboration with you to find ways to manage challenges that may arise and cause distress by helping you to set realistic goals and to create steps to achieve those goals, all while allowing you to find empowerment in those actions, bringing hope to tough situations, and enhancing your strengths and resiliency. My therapy approach is catered to you in what is called an integrated therapeutic approach. This means that I use various theories and models in session so that I can create unique treatment plan and interventions with you. Some theories that inform my work include (but are not limited to): Internal Family Systems, Cognitive/Behavioral (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Attachment, Solution-Focused, Narrative, and the Gottman Method. I work with a variety of populations & topics. My areas of Interest (but not exhaustive): alternative sexualities (kink, BDSM, swinging); LGBTQIA2S+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, Aromantic); non-traditional relationship styles like polyamory & ethical/consensual non-monogamy; intimacy issues; sexual pain; sexual challenges (dysfunction); affirmative consent; anxiety, depression, anger, shame; toxic masculinity; self-esteem, self-worth, self-confidence, body image; grief and loss (non-death, death, dying, bereavement); hospice support; Veterans; and Women's Issues.
Treatment methods
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
I am Level 2 trained in Internal Family Systems (IFS). Level 1 was for work with individual clients and Level 2 for partnerships. I actively seek training in IFS. I am passionate about my work with IFS. In my practice, I can use IFS as you would like it used. We can discuss parts work or follow specific protocols, or a combination of both. I find IFS is a tool that can be used for most populations and concerns.
Sex Therapy
Sex therapy is a type of talk therapy that helps with concerns about sex, intimacy, and sexual well-being. It addresses a wide range of issues, such as low libido, pain during sex, or sexual trauma, and it can be helpful for individuals and partners seeking to improve communication and satisfaction. Sex therapy does not involve physical contact and uses techniques like education and behavioral exercises.
Couples Counseling
I call this partnership counseling as well. I have worked with and continue to work with multiple partner relationships. I use a variety of methods like Internal Family Systems and the Gottman Method.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use CBT principles to identify and modify unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors, focusing on your ability to challenge negative thinking, develop coping skills, and improve problem-solving in challenging situations
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
DBT focuses on the four core skills: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. In DBT, I practice and teach mindfulness to stay present, distress tolerance to get through tough times without making them worse, emotion regulation to handle intense feelings, and interpersonal effectiveness to communicate more clearly and with self-respect.
Location
Virtual sessions
In-person sessions1215 W Baltimore Pike, Media, PA 19063, Office 1