About Me.
I’m Samantha, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Northcentral University. Since 2021, I've worked with individuals and couples navigating relational strain, major life transitions, grief, and attachment wounds.
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My clinical work is grounded in relational and attachment-based approaches, with advanced training in the Gottman Method, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Narrative Therapy, and EMDR. I tailor these modalities to each client's goals, integrating structure with curiosity and collaboration.
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I specialize in couples and relational work, drawing on systems theory to understand how patterns develop and how they can shift. I also work closely with individuals experiencing significant life changes--divorce, loss, medical diagnoses, career transitions, and the many ways life can disrupt our sense of stability. While I cannot remove pain, I can help make sense of it and create space for movement forward.
I believe clients are the experts in their own lives. My role is not to prescribe a path, but to help you see your patterns clearly enough to choose your next step with intention. When something makes sense, it becomes workable. My own experiences navigating divorce and loss have deepened my respect for the complexity of change and the resilience people carry, even when they don't yet recognize it in themselves.
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I also acknowledge the privilege that comes with being a white, cisgender, heterosexual, able-bodied woman--and the responsibility that accompanies it. I am committed to ongoing learning and to creating a therapeutic space that actively affirms diversity, challenges oppression, and centers compassion and accountability.
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Outside of therapy, I gravitate toward quiet and restorative things: reading, gaming, gardening (when I plan ahead), and being on the water whenever possible. I share my life with a wonderful child and a small collection of animals who keep things lively and humbling.
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If you're looking for a therapist who balances warmth with clarity--and depth with practicality--I'd be glad to connect.
Learn more about my therapeutic modalities.
Gottman Method
Level 3
The Gottman Method is a research-based approach to couples therapy developed by Drs. John and Julie Schwartz Gottman, focusing on enhancing relationships by helping couples understand their interactions and communication patterns. Central to the method is the Sound Relationship House Theory, which emphasizes building a strong foundation of friendship, trust, and shared goals. It also teaches effective strategies for managing conflict, enabling couples to navigate disagreements in a healthy way. By fostering emotional intimacy and understanding, the Gottman Method aims to help couples create a harmonious and fulfilling partnership, promoting healthy communication and emotional support.
Emotionally Focused Therapy
Externship, Core Skills I & II
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), developed by Dr. Sue Johnson, is a structured approach to couples therapy that focuses on fostering emotional connections and attachment between partners. The method is based on the premise that strong emotional bonds are crucial for relationship stability and satisfaction. EFT involves identifying and reshaping negative interaction patterns that lead to conflict and disconnection. Through the process, couples learn to express their needs and emotions more openly, creating a secure attachment and deeper intimacy. Ultimately, EFT aims to help partners strengthen their emotional bond, improve communication, and enhance their overall relationship satisfaction.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Foundations, ACT for Grief & loss, ACT for Relationships
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a mindfulness-based therapeutic approach that focuses on helping individuals accept their thoughts and feelings while committing to values-driven actions. Developed by Dr. Steven C. Hayes, ACT encourages clients to confront uncomfortable emotions and thoughts without judgment, promoting psychological flexibility. By using techniques such as mindfulness, cognitive defusion, and values clarification, clients learn to break free from unhelpful patterns and engage more fully in life. The ultimate goal of ACT is to help individuals live a meaningful life in alignment with their core values, even in the face of challenges or difficult emotions.
Narrative Therapy
Narrative Therapy is a collaborative therapeutic approach that emphasizes the importance of the stories individuals tell about their lives. Developed by Michael White and David Epston, this method posits that people create meaning through their narratives, which can influence their identities and experiences. In Narrative Therapy, therapists work with clients to identify and re-author these stories, helping them separate themselves from problems and view their lives from a new perspective. By exploring alternative narratives, clients can discover their strengths, values, and resources, empowering them to create a more hopeful and fulfilling future. The goal is to help individuals reshape their identities and lives by recognizing the power of their own stories.
Systems Theory
Systems Theory is a framework used in therapy that views individuals as part of larger relational and social systems, such as families, couples, or communities. This approach recognizes that behaviors and patterns cannot be fully understood in isolation but are influenced by interactions within these systems. Developed from the work of theorists like Murray Bowen and Salvador Minuchin, Systems Theory emphasizes the interconnectedness of relationships and how changes in one part of a system can affect the whole. In therapy, this perspective helps clients explore dynamics within their relationships, identify patterns of behavior, and understand how these patterns contribute to problems. The goal is to promote healthier interactions and communication, ultimately leading to improved functioning within the system as a whole.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based therapy used to help people process and integrate distressing or traumatic experiences. It works by reducing the emotional intensity of memories so they can be remembered without overwhelming distress, allowing for greater emotional regulation and psychological flexibility.