ONLINE/ IN PERSON THERAPY IN CA
Therapy that rewrites your story
for a future that better relfects who you are
Are you tired of living in a life that doesn’t feel true?
Being human is hard. We get so many messages from our families, our culture, and from social media about what is okay and what is not okay that it can sometimes feel overwhelming. You may be uncertain of what you actually feel and think. You may have a difficult time knowing how to express this to others or being able to ask for what you need. You may feel disconnected and that you are an observer in your own life. Wouldn’t it feel good to be more present and more connected to the life you are living?
Can you relate?
It can be a lot of work trying to find the right therapist. To help make it easier, see if you relate to any of the circumstances listed below.
You’ve tried traditional talk therapy and it hasn’t worked.
Compassion and listening aren’t enough for you in therapy.
You feel like you have expectations that you can not live up to and feel overwhelming pressure from society and your family/friends.
You experience feelings of doubt, overwhelm, frustration, worthlessness, and/or anxiety.
You feel “stuck” and aren’t sure who your “true” self is.
You’ve lost a loved one and do not know how to cope with the pain of the loss. This could be a loved one who has died or a breakup.
You feel it is difficult to communicate with people and express your needs. The idea of expressing needs brings up fears. Sometimes these people in your life are difficult to communicate in the first place.
You’ve gone through a traumatic circumstance/s and the ability to live presently and function in daily living is difficult to maintain (work, school, relationships)
You’ve just gone through a big transition in life and are having a hard time adjusting to the change.
Hi, I’m Samantha
Ever since I was a kid, I knew I wanted a career path that would make a difference in people’s lives. I have always found other people’s lives and different perspectives fascinating. This led me on the path to becoming a therapist with the journey starting right out of high school. I received my bachelor’s in psychology at Sonoma State University while interning with the head of the psychology department in multicultural psychology. Between my bachelor’s and master’s, I volunteered as a grief support group leader for teens at Our House Grief Support Center for about two years and worked as a behavioral therapist at the same time. Then I went on to get my Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology at Antioch University (graduated 2020). I received my clinical training at Miracle Mile Community Practice where I did my training in narrative therapy. I worked with families, children and teens, couples, and individuals. Narrative therapy is a huge foundation for my work however I also incorporate somatic practices. One of which, I am a Certified Brainspotting practitioner.
I work from a non-judgmental and compassionate approach. I offer both talk therapy as well as somatic deep brain-based processing work. I see myself more as your professional collaborator. My job is to ask good questions rather than solutions. I like to incorporate humor into my sessions when appropriate. I am also a big fan of metaphors in the therapy room. When I do give advice, I give it based on psychoeducation and what I know about you as a person and your values.
Narrative Postmodern Therapy:
This therapy approach helps clients identify their values and use them to confront present and future problems. I believe that clients are the experts in their own lives and the problem is the problem (not the person). For example, instead of someone being “a depressed person” I see it as someone who “lives with depression”. Narrative therapy is especially empowering for BIPOC communities and LGBTQIA+ because it navigates systems steeped in racism, homophobia, white supremacy, and patriarchy. This way of therapy brings dignity to clients where other modalities may have the risk to pathologize. I am interested in the social and political context in which you live in.
Brainspotting
Ever noticed when someone is talking and they are looking off in another direction? Brainspotting is essentially “where you look affects how you feel". It is a deep somatic brain-based intervention that heals what talk therapy cant. This intervention is highly effective in reducing symptoms of panic, anxiety, and depression. It is a very direct approach in that it taps into the limbic system and nervous system and releases trauma that is stuck. Trauma and false beliefs about ourselves can be trapped in our limbic brain. Talk therapy only accesses the front of the brain. Brainspotting helps to release what is frozen in our deep brain. This method even works well in Telehealth sessions. This is a great modality for attachment repair, trauma, and performance anxiety. The results help you stay calm and “regulated” when you feel triggered.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness means being in the present moment. Often we can lose track of the little things happening in the moment and we get caught up in the content. I believe our minds and bodies are connected. Problems can often cause us physical discomfort as well. For example, anxiety may cause a tight chest and a headache for an individual. In sessions, i’ll ask what sensations are coming up when I notice tension in the room. Wether I am doing brainspotting or talk therapy, I am always aware of mindfulness in the therapeutic experience. This allows people to slow down and regulate their minds and bodies. Clients gain a sense of self-awareness and emotional regulation.
HOW I WORK
I believe therapy should be simple.
Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation to decide if I’m a good fit for you. If we are, great! We’ll schedule your first appointment and begin mapping out a path to your goals.
If not, no problem. I’ll refer to you to another talented therapist who can help.
YOU CAN’T STOP THE WAVES…