LCSW, 10 years of experience
Hi there! I'm Sam, a taco connoisseur, adventurer, and animal lover. I am also a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist (LCAS), Certified Criminal Justice Addictions Professional (CCJP), and Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS). As a therapist, my hope is to create a space that feels welcoming to your authentic self. I aim to hold space for you to show up as you need to that day, and will honor what you need in each session whether that is a space to vent, explore new skills, be challenged, or create goals that will meet your needs.
In kicking off our first session, we'll start by getting to know each other through some friendly introductions. Then, we'll dive into what therapy entails and what you can expect along the way. It's important to me that you understand the process and feel confident in our partnership. Next, we'll explore what brought you to seek therapy, any challenges you're facing, and what you hope to get out of our time together. If you've previously participated in therapy, I'll ask about your preferences, what worked best, and what you didn't enjoy previously. From there, I'll answer any questions you may have. We'll wrap up with creating a treatment plan tailored to your goals and aspirations. Whether it's overcoming obstacles, improving relationships, finding inner peace, or learning how to better adult, your goals will guide our time together.
I practice authentically and hope to cultivate an authentic, nonjudgemental relationship with each client I work with. There's no therapist voice present. I strive to provide open and honest communication to assist you with reaching your goals while recognizing that you are the expert in your experiences.
I love working with teens and young adults who feel stuck in a loop and want to start to do life differently. I specialize in working with suicide ideation, substance use, self-harm, and addictive behaviors. I additionally support those experiencing anxiety, depression, impacts from trauma, identity development, and life transitions. If you are struggling with emotional avoidance, negative self talk, or wanting to become a better version of yourself and are unsure of how to make that happen, I encourage you to reach out. I would love to provide a safe and supportive space where we can explore those things together and discover a new approach.
I am trained in and utilize a variety of trauma-informed evidence based treatment modalities including Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Internal Family Systems, Seeking Safety, Practice Self-Regulation, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, Motivational Interviewing, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) with a person-in-environment approach. This allows me to adapt my approach to better fit your needs.