Sam has experience working with a wide range of mental health difficulties including anxiety, depression, trauma, parent-child relationship dynamics, low self-esteem, and ADHD. She has special interests in the areas of perfectionism, the comorbidity of ADHD and anxiety, mindfulness, emotional regulation, and interpersonal neurobiology. She uses a variety of evidence-based approaches, depending on the client’s needs and goals, but always incorporates experiential modalities to support the processing and skill development of her clients including play, art, and movement.

Sam believes in providing a safe therapeutic space for children of all ages to be seen and heard, as well as to process the difficulties of day-to-day life. Sam believes that behaviors get better when kids feel better. She also believes that parents have it hard and they are doing their best with the skills they have now. She believes there is always room to grow so that children and their families can feel like their most authentic self.

Associations

• American Counseling Association
• Association for Play Therapy
• Illinois Association for Play Therapy

Specialized Training

• Theraplay Level 1 Certification
• Group Theraplay
• The Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics in Play-Based Treatment
• Using Sandtray Protocols in Play Therapy
• Trauma-Informed Sandtray Therapy for the Play Therapist

Therapeutic Modalities

• Person Centered Psychotherapy
• Play Therapy (including child centered play therapy, attachment based play therapy)
• Sandtray
• Mindfulness based cognitive behavioral therapy
• Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy