Hi! I'm Samantha and I'm a licensed clinical social worker. I graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Gender Studies from Indiana University and went on to graduate with my Masters degree in Social Work, also from Indiana University. I've been in the field for 13 years now. I have always had a strong desire to help others, coupled with a desire to address social issues and create safe spaces for people. It doesn't matter who you are or where you've been, I will always have empathy and compassion for you.
In our first session, we will start with introductions and I'll answer any questions you may have about therapy. Then we'll discuss what brings you into therapy, we can set goals together and set the foundation for a great therapeutic relationship.
Having worked with people of all ages for almost a decade, I can help you identify the root causes of the problems you're experiencing and work with you to create a tailored plan of treatment. I'm very self-aware, and I love problem solving. I authentically care about your well-being, no matter who you are.
The clients that I've worked with that have found the most success have been motivated, curious, honest, and willing to try new things.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a structured, evidence-based approach I like to use to help people identify and change unhelpful thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. The core idea is that our thoughts influence our emotions and actions. This is the very first treatment method I was taught in school.
(ACT) is a type of therapy that helps people accept difficult thoughts and feelings rather than fighting or avoiding them. The goal is to encourage psychological flexibility—helping people live in alignment with their values even in the presence of discomfort or challenges. When I use this in practice, it's a blend between mindfulness and and behavioral change strategies.
CFT is an approach designed to help people develop self-compassion and reduce feelings of shame, self-criticism, or distress. It integrates principles from evolutionary psychology, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and neuroscience. I've found this one is especially helpful with people who have high levels of shame or self-criticism, because they often have overactive threat systems and underactive soothing systems. CFT focuses on activating the soothing system to amplify self-kindness and emotional balance.
TFCBT combines traditional CBT with specific strategies to address trauma. It involves understanding your thoughts and feelings, learning coping skills and talking about the trauma; along with strengthening core relationships.
I was a women's studies major in my undergraduate, so this one is close to my heart. The Feminist Theory approach focuses on understanding the impact of social, cultural, and systemic factors—including (but certainly not limited to) gender roles, power imbalances, and oppression—on a person's mental health.