Meet Sam
Social Worker, Advocate, Teacher, Therapist
I’m a licensed certified social worker (LCSW-C) located in Frederick, Maryland. I have 10 years’ experience providing therapy to people of all ages, though I specialize in working with teens, pre-teens, and young adults. I have extensive training in trauma, suicide prevention, and neurodiversity. I am a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional and a registered trainer for the ASIST Suicide Intervention model. By day I’m a public school social worker, and in the evenings I provide therapy through telehealth with Luminous Growth.
I identify as a Hufflepuff, a Whovian, a Data Nerd, and an overall Goofball. I’ve been known to be sassy, sarcastic, and opinionated, in only the best ways of course. I love bringing pop culture, music, media references, activities, and new perspectives into my therapy sessions.
As someone who is neurodivergent myself, I know what it’s like to feel misunderstood, like you live in a world that wasn’t built for you. I am passionate about helping people who feel like they’re stuck and not fitting into the mold they’re expected to fill. I love guiding people in navigating the obstacles life throws at them. I want to work with you to fit the puzzle pieces together and expose the beautiful pattern that only you can make in this world.
I’m a huge believer in finding and supporting those who feel unseen. While I find it truly fulfilling to support anyone I can, I take pride in finding new ways to reach people and new resources for healing. I’m one of the first to jump in to help in a crisis, but I also make a concerted effort to step back to find anyone who might have slipped through the cracks. I don’t only want to solve the visible, obvious need, I also want to find and work through the less-visible needs, those which are keeping you from reaching your full potential.
My Therapeutic Approach
What will therapy be like?
First of all, I believe therapy should be a comfortable place where you can be authentically you without any fear of judgment or insecurity. When you sit down to meet with me, I want you to know that you are not alone, and that I am here to support and guide you.
I do think that therapy should be a very individualized process. You can expect that when we meet, we are focused on you and what you need to grow and thrive. Sessions, treatment goals, outcomes, and expectations should all be driven by you. I like to think of therapy as holding up a huge mirror to you, the client, and helping you to see yourself in a new way.
In sessions, we can talk, laugh, play games, or create. You can take me (virtually) on a tour of your home or introduce me to your hobbies and your pets. It will be completely up to you. As long as we’re building a therapeutic relationship and working toward our goals, you are in charge of what therapy looks like.
When working with kids and teens, I often break up sessions into smaller portions so that we can have some time working collaboratively with parents or caregivers and still prioritize time to meet one-on-one with my client, the child/adolescent. I involve parents in every step of the process while still ensuring that the child/adolescent feels comfortable, safe, secure, and (most importantly) in control of their own treatment.
I believe that anyone, anywhere can benefit from therapy. Seeing a therapist shouldn’t mean that something is wrong with you or that you aren’t good enough. It means that you’re willing to find new ways to grow, and everyone is always capable of growth.
I’m Here to Support YOU!
Whoever you are, whatever you do, wherever you fit, you are welcome here.
Every single person has their own unique light that they bring into the world. I’m not here to make you “better” or to “fix” you. I want to meet you where you are, as you are, right here and now. I want the opportunity to hear your story and to see you for who you are.
Some common needs I support are:
- Self-Care / Mindfulness
- Executive Functioning
- Neurodivergence/ADHD
- Depression / Anxiety
- Trauma / Neglect
- Self-Worth / Self-Esteem
- LGBTQIA+ / Gender Identity
- Family Conflicts
- Divorce / Big Changes
- Parenting / Motherhood
- Finding Yourself
- Educational Issues
- How to Adult
- Positive Discipline / Respect
- Anger / Frustration / Self-Control
This is not a complete list of what I can help you with.
Contact me and we can schedule a call or a brief video meeting to talk about your needs and how I can support you.
Everyone deserves a team of people around them who see them for who they truly are and want the best for them. As your therapist, I will be an active member of your team, building you up and helping you to meet whatever goals you set for yourself.