LMSW-C, 26 years of experience
About me, HI, I’m a Licensed Clinical Master’s Level Social Worker (LMSW) based in Michigan. For over 26 years, I’ve had the privilege of walking alongside individuals, families, children, and veterans as they navigate life’s struggles. Many of my clients come to me feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, weighed down by marital conflict, discouraged by low self-esteem, or stressed by the demands of work, parenting, and relationships. Others are parents seeking guidance for children and preteens with ADHD, needing support with school challenges, IEPs, 504 plans, and academic success. No matter the circumstance, I strive to meet clients where they are, honoring their unique story and helping them feel seen, supported, and understood. I provide compassionate, client-centered, and strength-based therapy, using evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), trauma-informed therapy, and mindfulness-based interventions. Together, we focus on building coping skills, manage stress, behavior management, communication skills, resilience training, and emotional balance. My goal is to support you in finding practical coping tools while also fostering confidence, personal growth, and healthier relationships at home, school, and work. With over 15 years of experience working with veterans, I also support trauma recovery, reintegration into civilian life, and connection to housing and community resources. I bring a culturally responsive lens to my work with immigrants and first-generation individuals, supporting identity development, acculturation, family conflict, and multicultural stress. Whether you are an adult managing workplace stress and relationship challenges, a parent seeking counseling or parent coaching for your child’s ADHD, or someone looking to rebuild confidence and self-esteem, I offer a safe, nonjudgmental space to explore, heal, and grow. My mission is to provide therapy and emotional support that helps you feel empowered, supported, and equipped to move forward with greater clarity, strength, resilience, and overall wellness.
What to Expect During Our First Telehealth Mental Health Session Welcome! Thank you for taking the courageous step to begin your mental health therapy journey. Seeking support for anxiety, depression, PTSD, trauma, ADHD, stress, or relationship challenges is a brave and important step, and I’m here to walk alongside you in a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental teletherapy space. Our first session, conducted via telehealth counseling, will primarily serve as an intake and clinical assessment session. During this session, I’ll ask questions to better understand your emotional, psychological, social, and environmental context, which allows us to create a personalized, evidence-based treatment plan tailored to your unique needs. 1. Introduction and Building Rapport We’ll start with introductions and take time to get comfortable. I prioritize empathy, transparency, and collaboration in therapy, creating a space where you feel heard, validated, and respected. Building trust in the therapeutic relationship is foundational to effective therapy, and we’ll discuss any preferences or concerns you have about your mental health counseling experience. 2. Intake and Clinical Assessment During this phase, we’ll explore: Your presenting concerns and reasons for seeking therapy. Your mental health history, including prior therapy experiences and coping strategies. Relevant medical, family, social, and cultural background. Your daily functioning, personal strengths, supports, and challenges. Collaborative goal-setting for therapy to support growth, emotional regulation, and well-being. You are welcome to share only what feels comfortable—this is your safe space, and we will proceed at your pace. 3. Overview of Evidence-Based Therapeutic Approaches Depending on your needs, we may use one or more evidence-based therapy modalities, including: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Explore the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, identify patterns contributing to distress, and develop practical skills for managing emotions, challenging negative thinking, and behavior change. Psychoeducation: Gain knowledge about symptoms, diagnoses, coping strategies, and mental health tools to better understand and manage your experiences. Culturally Sensitive Therapy: Navigate cultural identity, acculturation stress, immigration challenges, and diversity-related stressors within a respectful and understanding environment. Trauma-Informed Therapy: Address the effect
My Approach and Areas of Strength With over 26 years of experience as a Licensed Clinical Master’s Level Social Worker (LMSW) and Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC), I’ve had the privilege of supporting individuals, children, teens, couples, families, and veterans through many of life’s challenges and transitions. My approach is grounded in compassion, respect, and collaboration—I believe that meaningful healing happens best in a space where you feel safe, understood, and empowered to grow at your own pace. I’ve also been honored to serve veterans and military service members, both within the VA Medical Center (VAMC) system and in the community, helping them navigate PTSD, depression, anxiety, trauma recovery, and the transition to civilian life. My greatest strengths lie in building genuine connections, creating a safe and trusting environment, and tailoring each session to meet each client’s unique needs. I am deeply committed to listening with empathy, honoring each person’s story, and helping clients uncover their inner strengths and resilience. Clients often share that they feel truly heard and supported, and that our work together helps them make real, lasting changes in their lives. As a trauma-informed and evidence-based clinician, I integrate methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills, mindfulness, and psychoeducation to support healing and growth. What stands out about my approach is how I weave these methods together in a flexible, person-centered way—meeting clients where they are and focusing on practical, realistic strategies that fit their goals and pace. I provide virtual therapy for individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, ADHD, PTSD, grief and loss, substance use and recovery challenges, stress, and life transitions. My work as a Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC) also allows me to provide specialized care for clients managing substance use, recovery, and co-occurring mental health concerns. My goal is to help clients strengthen emotional regulation, build resilience, and reconnect with a sense of hope, purpose, and balance. A significant part of my work has focused on providing culturally responsive care to individuals and families from diverse, immigrant, and first-generation backgrounds. I value creating space to explore identity, belonging, and acculturation challenges, helping clients embrace their strengths and navigate change with confidence and self-compassion. I also have extensive experience working virtually with children, adolescents, and families—supporting children with behavioral challenges, emotional regulation, ADHD, and school-related stress, while partnering with parents to strengthen communication, structure, and connection at home. In couples therapy, I help partners rebuild trust, deepen understanding, and enhance emotional connection. My goal is to help couples develop healthier communication and relational patterns that promote long-term satisfaction and mutual respect. A core part of my professional journey has been my work with veterans and military service members. I have over five years of direct experience working within the Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) system, where I specialized in PTSD, depression, anxiety, trauma recovery, and reintegration challenges. I also assist with referrals to VA and community-based programs to ensure veterans have access to the full range of services and resources available to them. My approach is trauma-informed, grounded in respect for military culture, and focused on strengthening resilience, coping skills, and emotional stability. All of my sessions are provided virtually, making therapy accessible, flexible, and convenient for those balancing busy lives or living in remote areas. My commitment is to meet each client with empathy, openness, and genuine care—creating a safe, nonjudgmental space where healing and growth can truly take place.
Your Journey Matters: Supporting Adults, Veterans, and Those Facing Life’s Challenges If you’re reading this, you may be struggling with anxiety, depression, PTSD, anger, addiction, low self-esteem, emotional dysregulation, or overwhelming stress. These challenges can make daily life, relationships, and work feel unmanageable. Therapy offers a safe space to pause, reflect, and learn evidence-based tools for stress management, coping skills, emotional regulation, and resilience building. Veteran & Military Mental Health Care For many veterans and service members, transitioning to civilian life isn’t easy. After years of service, you may feel isolated, disconnected, or misunderstood by those who haven’t shared similar experiences. Some veterans struggle with combat trauma, PTSD symptoms like hypervigilance or nightmares, survivor’s guilt, military sexual trauma (MST), anger management issues, or substance use as a way to cope. Others face relationship struggles, difficulty finding purpose after service, or employment stress while adjusting to civilian expectations. It can feel confusing—how do you explain the weight of deployment memories, the loss of close bonds, or the trauma you carry from service when civilian life expects you to “just move on”? This isn’t weakness; it’s the impact of sacrifice, trauma, and resilience intertwined. With 15+ years supporting the veteran community, I offer trauma-informed therapy, CBT for PTSD, addiction counseling, stress reduction techniques, EMDR-informed approaches, and holistic mental health support. Together, we’ll create a plan tailored to your needs—whether that’s healing trauma, breaking patterns of substance use, repairing relationships, or rebuilding confidence and purpose. Taking the Next Step Reaching out for veteran mental health therapy can feel daunting, but you don’t have to do this alone. Whether you’re a veteran navigating PTSD, anxiety, depression, addiction recovery, or reintegration stress, or a military spouse coping with deployment challenges, you deserve compassionate, client-centered care that honors your service and your story. In our work together, we’ll focus on evidence-based therapy, coping strategies, mindfulness practices, and resilience-building to reduce symptoms, restore balance, and empower you to reclaim your life with confidence and clarity.
**My Experience with CBT and How I Use It in Practice** As a provider committed to compassionate and evidence-based care, I frequently use **Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)** to support individuals navigating challenges such as **anxiety, depression, ADHD, and addiction**. CBT is a widely respected therapeutic approach that focuses on identifying and shifting unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to emotional distress. What I appreciate most about CBT is that it empowers clients—it’s not just about “talking through problems,” but about developing **practical tools and strategies** that promote long-term emotional health and well-being. **An Empathetic, Empowering Approach to Healing** CBT helps people see the connection between their **thoughts, feelings, and behaviors**. When we’re struggling—whether with persistent worry, low mood, impulsivity, or cravings—our thoughts can become distorted and self-critical. CBT gently challenges these patterns and replaces them with healthier, more balanced ways of thinking. It’s a very **collaborative and compassionate approach**. I always meet clients where they are emotionally and culturally, working at a pace that feels right for them. Many people find comfort in the structure of CBT, especially during periods of overwhelm or uncertainty. Together, we build coping tools that not only relieve current distress but support **ongoing personal growth and resilience**. **Examples of How CBT Can Help** * **Anxiety**: CBT helps individuals identify anxious thoughts like “Something bad is going to happen” and replace them with more grounded, realistic perspectives. We also use relaxation skills and gradual exposure to reduce fear over time. * **Depression**: People struggling with depression often have thoughts like “I’m a failure” or “Nothing will ever change.” CBT helps break the cycle of negative thinking by encouraging small, meaningful actions and reshaping inner self-talk. * **ADHD**: CBT is effective for addressing the **emotional aspects** of ADHD such as low self-esteem, frustration, or shame. It also helps with time management, organization, and developing routines by using **practical, behavior-based strategies**. * **Addiction**: In CBT for addiction, we explore the thought patterns and triggers that lead to substance use. Together, we build a toolkit of alternative coping skills—like grounding techniques, self-soothing, and problem-solving—to stay on the path of recovery. **Why CBT Is So Helpful for Ongoing Healing** One of the most powerful aspects of CBT is that it **teaches lifelong coping skills**. Clients often leave therapy feeling more capable of managing life’s ups and downs on their own. These skills continue to grow over time, supporting not only symptom relief but also deeper healing and self-understanding. Above all, CBT is **hopeful**—it shows that change is possible, even if life has felt stuck or overwhelming for a long time.
I incorporate Motivational Interviewing (MI) as a collaborative and person-centered approach to support clients in making meaningful changes in their lives. MI is designed to enhance a client’s internal motivation by exploring and resolving ambivalence in a compassionate, non-judgmental way. It honors the client’s autonomy while validating their thoughts, feelings, and any resistance they may be experiencing around change. In my practice, I use core MI techniques such as reflective listening, affirmations, and open-ended questions to create a safe and supportive space. I express genuine acceptance of each client’s unique goals and readiness for change, helping them clarify their values and strengthen their commitment to personal growth. This approach empowers clients to move at their own pace and fosters lasting, self-directed change. If you're feeling uncertain or stuck, MI offers a respectful and supportive path forward—I’m here to walk alongside you.
My Experience with Christian Faith-Based Therapy and How I Use It in Practice I offer Christian faith-based therapy to clients who wish to integrate their spiritual beliefs, values, and relationship with God into the counseling process. For many, faith is not just something they practice — it’s part of who they are. It shapes their worldview, influences their choices, and serves as a foundation for how they navigate life’s challenges. In my work, I take time to understand and honor each client’s personal faith journey, including their upbringing, cultural background, and core spiritual values. These elements are often deeply rooted and can influence how individuals experience issues such as anxiety, grief, identity, relationships, or life transitions. I recognize that for many Christians, their connection to God and their faith community is central to their sense of meaning, hope, and healing. My approach is respectful and client-led — some clients may choose to speak openly about their faith, while others may simply want their values to be acknowledged and understood. Whether or not spiritual practices are actively included in our sessions, I aim to create a space where clients feel supported in bringing their whole selves — mind, body, and spirit — into the therapeutic process. Faith-based therapy can be especially meaningful for those who value being seen and supported through the lens of their Christian beliefs. If you are looking for a therapist who will honor your faith background and walk alongside you with compassion and cultural sensitivity, I would be privileged to support you on your journey.
My Experience with Solution-Focused Therapy Over the course of my 25+ years as a social worker and mental health clinician, I have found Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT) to be a highly effective approach—especially for clients who are eager to create meaningful change but may feel overwhelmed by their current challenges. Rather than dwelling on problems or past setbacks, SFT empowers individuals to tap into their own strengths and envision a future where their concerns are more manageable or resolved. In my practice, I use Solution-Focused Therapy to help clients identify clear, realistic, and achievable goals, and then work collaboratively to discover practical steps toward those goals. This approach is especially helpful for clients who are feeling stuck or hopeless, because it shifts the focus toward what is already working, even in small ways, and builds on those existing successes. For example, with both adults and children, I often explore moments when the problem was less intense or absent, and ask strength-based questions such as: “What’s different on the days when things go a little better?” “What would be the first small sign that things are improving?” “What strengths have helped you get through challenges before?” By highlighting a person’s own resources and encouraging forward movement, this approach builds confidence, motivation, and hope—key ingredients in long-term healing and growth. While I integrate SFT as part of a broader, individualized treatment plan—which may include CBT, trauma-informed care, or psychoeducation—it remains a core tool in my work with clients who are ready to set goals, take action, and celebrate progress, one step at a time.
2 ratings with written reviews
July 31, 2025
I really enjoy speaking with Sammie. I feel comfortable opening up and speaking freely about my feelings which is something that I have had a tough time doing in the past. If I could, I would have picked all of the above for the traits that stand out.
March 3, 2025
She is warm, sweet and comforting to talk to. Very prompt with her appointments. I would definitely recommend her