Samantha Schaefer profile image

Samantha Schaefer

Samantha Schaefer

(she/her)

LCSW
7 years of experience
Authentic
Empowering
Intelligent
Virtual

Are you feeling stuck in life and looking for guidance and support so you can move forward? Do you feel bogged down by responsibilities and overwhelmed about the future? Are you anxious about how you're going to keep it all together? I help individuals manage life stress and difficult situations to support them in getting out of their heads and back into their lives. I am trauma-informed therapist focused on supporting individuals and couples navigate difficult life transitions. I have experience working with youth, adults and couples who are struggling with a variety of issues, including anxiety, depression, PTSD, low self-esteem, and challenges related to postpartum mental health or the transition to parenthood. I have extensive experience working in crisis mental health, including suicidal ideation and self-harming behaviors. I obtained my Master of Social Work from NYU in 2016 and have been practicing in California since. Please note that I have limited evening availability.

What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?

In our first session together, I will spend a few moments introducing myself and expectations around privacy and confidentiality and will answer any questions you have about therapy in general. The space will be accepting and non-judgemental, and we will spend time discussing your hopes and expectations for treatment and collaboratively create goals. We will review your personal history and discuss at length what is bringing you to treatment.

Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.

Your decision to seek therapy is an empowering step towards positive change. If you're ready to begin your journey of healing, growth, and resilience, I invite you to connect with me. Please reach out with any questions you have and we can set up a time to discuss your needs and determine if I am the right fit.

About Samantha Schaefer

Identifies as

Licensed in

Accepts

Appointments

Virtual

My treatment methods

EMDR

EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is typically integrated into therapy by guiding clients to recall distressing memories while simultaneously engaging in bilateral stimulation to help process and desensitize traumatic experiences, ultimately reducing their emotional impact and facilitating psychological healing.

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

CBT, or Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, is helps clients identify and restructure negative thought patterns and behaviors, empowering them to develop healthier, more adaptive ways of thinking and responding to challenging situations.

Mindfulness-Based Therapy

I incorporate mindfulness as a coping skill by teaching clients to focus their attention on the present moment, non-judgmentally, which helps improve self-awareness and emotional regulation, ultimately reducing stress and enhancing overall mental and emotional well-being.

Daialectical Behavior (DBT)

I integrate skills from Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) into treatment to help clients learn distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness skills, which promotes greater emotional stability and more effective responses to life's challenges.