Welcome! I’m Samantha.

WHY DID I BECOME A THERAPIST?

From a young age, I recognized that connection and compassion were two of the top values in my life.  While studying Psychology & Human Development at UC Davis, I was unsure where these degrees and these values would take me. During my time at UC Davis, I became involved with a special organization called Camp Kesem. This program hosts a free summer camp for children who have a parent with cancer. Throughout my 4 years with Camp Kesem, I connected with dozens of families all coping with this common factor (cancer), yet each of their stories were so incredibly unique. I was able to witness how cancer impacted not only the patient but everyone around them – their kids, spouse, family and friends.     

While approaching graduation, one of my friends suggested “you should look into becoming a therapist.” I consider myself to be more on the introverted side so the idea of talking to people all day initially sounded a little overwhelming. Once I explored more about what therapists do, I recognized this was the perfect path to align with my values. Marriage & Family Therapy spoke to me specifically because the field looks at individuals from the lens of their relationships and the systems that surround them. Our family, our friends, our neighbors, our coworkers and beyond impact us each and every day. My experiences with Camp Kesem allowed me to observe this directly – although one family member received the diagnosis, it impacted each individual in their life in a unique way.

This all propelled me to pursue my Masters degree at University of San Diego. The program connected me with my first hands-on experience as a therapist at Rady Children’s Hospital, where I worked primarily with adolescents and their families. After graduation, I worked in an Intensive Outpatient setting where I supported children and their families dealing with behavioral issues, anxiety, depression and self-harm. After years of working primarily with teenagers, I became trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to support adults dealing with past traumas.

I am so grateful for the education and training I have received as well as the lessons I have learned from all of my former clients. My experiences and education have equipped me to continue supporting individuals with their relationships, anxiety and self-worth. And I still ensure that my values of connection and compassion show up in my work every day.