Licensed to practice in New York and accepts 9 insurances. Specializes in LGBTQ, Sex Therapy, Trauma and PTSD and 10 more.
(she/her)
New to Grow
Hi, I’m Samantha, a sex therapist who believes conversations about sex, intimacy, and relationships shouldn’t feel clinical or shame-filled. I show up as a real, grounded human and create a space where people can talk openly, awkwardly, honestly, and without judgment about the things they usually keep to themselves. I work with concerns like desire differences, low libido, sexual anxiety or shame, communication struggles, intimacy concerns, and feeling disconnected in relationships.
Your first session is a space for us to slow things down and get a sense of what’s been going on for you. We will start with what brought you in and what has been feeling most difficult lately. Some people come in with a clear issue they want to work on, while others feel stuck, disconnected, anxious, or unsure how to name what is happening. Both are completely okay. We will talk about what you are hoping will feel different in your life, relationships, or sense of self. I may ask questions about relationships, intimacy, communication patterns, stress, anxiety, or sexual concerns if they feel relevant, but you are always in control of how much you share and when. There is no pressure to tell your whole story at once. A big part of the first session is getting to know you, not just the challenges you are facing but how they show up in your life, what you have tried so far, and what has or has not helped. We might also gently touch on history or past experiences that feel connected to what you are dealing with now, including relationships, family dynamics, or earlier life stressors. We only go there if and when it feels safe and useful for you. If sex or intimacy is part of what brings you in, we will begin to open that conversation in a grounded and nonjudgmental way. That might include topics like desire differences, low libido, sexual shame, anxiety or pain with sex, communication challenges, or feeling disconnected from your partner or your own sexuality. Nothing is off limits, but nothing is forced either. I know it can feel vulnerable to talk about these things with someone new. My approach is collaborative, down to earth, and human. I am not here to evaluate or judge you. I am here to understand what your experience is like and help you make sense of it. Throughout the session, you can pause, slow down, ask questions, or shift direction at any time. There is no expectation to perform therapy correctly or have everything figured out. If something feels overwhelming or unclear, we will work with that together. We will also begin to identify what you want support with moving forward. That might include reducing anxiety, improving communication, rebuilding connection in relationships, working through shame, increasing sexual confidence, or simply feeling more like yourself again. We will start to shape goals together, but they can stay flexible and evolve over time. By the end of the first session, my hope is that you leave with a little more clari
I show up to sessions as a real, grounded human first, therapist second. I’m warm, straightforward, and I try to make it feel a little less like “I’m on trial explaining my life choices” and more like “we’re figuring this out together without shame.” One of my strengths is helping people say the thing they thought they couldn’t say. Especially around sex, intimacy, and relationships, I’m very comfortable sitting in the awkward pauses, the nervous laughter, the “I’ve never told anyone this before” moments, and not making it weird. If anything, I’m usually the one saying, “yeah, that actually makes a lot of sense.” My approach is flexible and pretty eclectic. I pull from sex therapy, CBT, trauma-informed work, and relational therapy, but I don’t get overly precious about any one method. I care more about what actually helps you feel less stuck and more like yourself again. I also like keeping things practical and real-life focused. Insight is great, but I’m even more interested in what changes outside the room, like being able to talk to your partner without spiraling, feeling less shame about your body or desires, or not rehearsing conversations in your head for three days before having them. What makes my work a little different is that I don’t try to sit above the process and “analyze you from afar.” I’m in it with you. We can be serious when we need to be, but there’s also room for humor, awkwardness, and the occasional “wow, being a human is kind of weird” moment. I work best with people who are curious, a little unsure, and willing to talk about the things they usually avoid, even if they’re laughing while doing it.
I’m best positioned to work with people who feel a mix of curious and stuck when it comes to their relationships, intimacy, and sense of self. Many of my clients come in because something around sex or connection doesn’t feel the way they want it to, but they don’t quite have the language for it yet. That might look like mismatched desire, low libido, sexual anxiety or shame, difficulty communicating needs, feeling disconnected from a partner, or feeling “in their head” during intimacy. I also work with people who tend to overthink, people-please, or shut down when things feel emotionally intense or vulnerable. Some clients arrive feeling frustrated with themselves for not being able to “just talk about it” or “just fix it,” especially in relationships where communication keeps breaking down or repeating the same cycle. A lot of the people I work with are thoughtful, self-aware, and motivated to understand themselves better, but still feel embarrassed, awkward, or unsure how to bring certain topics into the room. They often want therapy to feel real and honest, not overly clinical or distant. Humor, honesty, and a bit of relief that nothing they say is “too weird” tends to go a long way. My clients are usually looking for more than symptom relief. They want clarity, better communication, less shame, and more ease in how they relate to themselves and others. They want to feel more connected in their relationships, more confident in expressing needs and desires, and less overwhelmed by anxiety or self-doubt. I tend to work best with people who are willing to be a little uncomfortable in service of growth, even if they’re also laughing, overthinking, or second-guessing themselves along the way.
I identify as
Sex Therapy
Sex therapy is central to my work and provides a space to openly explore concerns related to desire, libido, arousal, sexual shame, performance anxiety, pain during sex, pornography concerns, identity, and differences in sexual needs within relationships. The focus is on reducing shame, increasing communication, and helping clients develop a more informed and compassionate understanding of their sexuality.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
CBT helps us look at the connection between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, especially when anxiety, shame, or overthinking are getting in the way of intimacy, communication, or connection. We work on identifying unhelpful patterns, challenging self-critical or fear-based thoughts, and building more balanced ways of thinking and responding.
Trauma Informed Care
From a trauma-informed lens, I pay close attention to safety, pacing, and emotional regulation. Many sexual and relational concerns are connected to past experiences, attachment patterns, or moments where someone felt unsafe, rejected, or misunderstood. We move at a pace that feels manageable and supportive, without forcing disclosure or emotional processing before someone is ready.
Relational
Relational therapy informs the way I understand patterns between people, especially in couples work. We explore how communication cycles form, how conflict escalates or shuts down, and how partners can better understand each other’s needs, triggers, and attachment styles.