I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker based in Virginia and also licensed in North Carolina. I received my Masters in Social Work from the University of Southern California in 2012. I have been independently licensed for nine years. I help my clients identify the life that they want and form a plan to pursue that vision. No matter what brings you into therapy, our first goal is to figure out what you want to change and how we can work together to make that change possible.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In our first session you can expect us to have a conversation that helps you to feel comfortable, heard, and understood. I will answer any questions you have about what you can expect from therapy and/or from me as your therapist. I will ask you questions about what you would like to see happen in our work together and how we both will know when we have been successful. You will definitely hear "how can I help?" and "is that helpful/does that make sense?" in this appointment. I want to be sure I understand what you want to work on so we can create a plan together to accomplish your goals.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
My greatest strength is my authenticity and focus on the therapeutic alliance. Having worked with clients of all ages, from different parts of the country, with different life experiences, and different concerns that bring them in for treatment, I know that the most important factor that predicts success is a strong and collaborative therapeutic alliance so that is my first priority. Always.
About Samantha Dunn
Samantha Dunn offers therapy covered by Kaiser Permanente - Medicaid and UnitedHealthcare/Optum - Medicaid in Virginia.
Licensed in
Accepts
Appointments
VirtualMy treatment methods
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) allows us to work together to focus on improving quality of life by being in the present and living in accordance with your values. It is a versatile intervention that I have been using with clients for nearly a decade. I have seen clients make great progress with ACT, even when other treatment options have failed.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Cognitive Behavior Therapy allows us to consider the ways that your thought patterns and beliefs influence your behavior and emotional experiences. We identify and challenge thoughts that are unhelpful or unrealistic (catch it, check it, change it). We will also use behavior exercises that help to improve quality of life and progress toward goals. I have been using CBT with clients for over a decade. My professional experience reflects the research, CBT interventions help clients get better.
Cognitive Processing (CPT)
Cognitive Processing Therapy is a talk therapy modality used to treat symptoms resulting from trauma and PTSD. I have been using CPT for over a decade to treat trauma survivors, most often combat trauma. CPT is a 12-16 week commitment. It is hard work but it is effective and it is worth it as long as we do the work.
Supportive
I have been providing supportive therapy to clients for over a decade. Life is full of change and growth and that can often be an uncomfortable experience. When we experience transitions, change, and resulting stress we often can use extra support. Enter, supportive therapy! The goal of the work is for us to work together to help you to navigate the "bumps" in the road.
Person-centered (Rogerian)
I started to use a Rogerian approach to counseling about ten years ago after it was introduced to me by a mentor. Sometimes, treatment options with clear agendas and homework are the best option for the client. Sometimes, being in a space that is non-judgmental and exists purely for you to consider what brought you to therapy and how to best confront it is a better fit. When that is the case, Person-centered therapy is the modality I generally use. More than anything, person-centered therapy is rooted in authenticity and trust. That was what drew me to the approach and why I continue to use it.