Hi, I'm Samantha Shepherd and I'm an EMDR certified, Latinx therapist who promotes authenticity and welcomes clients ready for change. Rejecting a "one-size-fits-all" approach, I tackle diverse issues—various trauma, mood disorders, relationship or family of origin conflict, first-gen struggles, LGBTQIA+, BIPOC & alternative lifestyle support.
The sessions are usually about 50 minutes in length and will begin with a check-in. Have there been any updates or things of significance since last session? I use a client-centered approach which means you can decide if you want to continue where we left off last week (Forgot?—don’t worry, I have notes for that). Maybe you’ll want to start somewhere new. We’ll then team up into deciding what the goal of the session will be. After we come up with our game plan, we’ll dive into how to make those goals happen. Picture a mix of insightful back-and-forth conversation, education, and practical skill-building or guided exercises. Before we wrap up, I'll toss some considerations your way – things to continue to think about and exercises to use in between sessions. It's a team effort and the real magic often happens between our sessions.
I really take the time to get to know each of my clients in order to make them feel seen. The #1 predictor of therapeutic success is the relationship between therapist and client. In order to create a safe space, I don't judge, I'm culturally competent, and I'm trauma informed. I show up as my authentic self in order to meet you where you are at, wherever that is. I'm a huge psychology nerd so I really make it a point to stay up to date with relevant research that helps support the work that I do.
I work with seasoned clients or first-time therapy seekers! My clientele usually consists of those who are feeling stuck and seeking tranformation. I provide support for issues regarding family of origin conflict, childhood trauma, intergenerational trauma, identity issues, and attachments in relationships. I work with Latinx, alternative lifestyle, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, neurodivergent, and chronic illness communities.
CBT works by identifying and challenging negative thought patterns or beliefs (primarily about the self, others, or the world) and behaviors, aiming to modify them to promote healthier thinking patterns and emotional responses. This is a very effective modality for treating depression, anxiety, and self-esteem.
EMDR may be used by itself or in addition to talk therapy that involves guided eye movements or tapping too help individuals process and alleviate distressing memories and traumatic experiences.
With every client I ensure that I respect and acknowledge each individual's diverse cultural background in order to promote empathy, safety, and visibility in the therapy space.
I incorporate a strength-based approach by highlighting each client's inherent strengths, resiliencies, and resources in order to facilitate powerful, positive behavioral change.
I utilize this approach to explore and understand the relationship dynamics a person has, in particular, with early attachment patterns (relationships to parents/caregivers, etc.) to promote emotional healing so my client's can have more secure and fulfilling connections.