Hi, I’m Sam, and I believe that living a life of freedom from anxiety is totally possible.

My Story

I became interested in mental health after struggling to manage my own depression and anxiety. Early on, I believed that I was “just an anxious person”. When I’d feel low, I told myself that I was “moody”, and that if I just figured out “how to manage my stress” I’d get better.

To help manage my symptoms I read books, went back to school, worked with functional practitioners, and participated in different kinds of therapy. Eventually, with a lot of hard work and practice, I started to experience less and less anxiety.

I started to see that I was anxious and depressed because I was holding myself to an impossible standard, and judging myself based on whether or not I could meet that standard. With a lot of hard work, I started to redefine success, and I learned a lot of tools to help me manage my symptoms. In the end, I finally started to feel like I had influence over my own emotions.

I opened up my practice to help other people like me skip the years of trial and error and head straight toward a life with less anxiety and more joy.

My Approach  

Therapy is interactive and educational. I'm not a smile and nod therapist. I don't have a dark office filled with bead walls,  waterfalls, and zen gardens (no offense meant to therapists that do!).   I won't whisper, or scrunch up my face and look like I feel sorry for you.  I won't waste your time with strategies that don't work. 

I will treat you with respect, and I will challenge and encourage you to be the best version of yourself.  You can get better. I know you can.  

MY CLIENTS

Most of my clients are intelligent, successful professionals who feel stuck. They've tried to "fix" the problems that they are facing on their own, but they haven't achieved the results they were looking for. They hate wasting their time, and they show up for therapy ready to work toward solutions.  They prefer to partner with me in treatment rather than taking a passive role.  They appreciate my interactive, open, and evidence-based approach to therapy. 

As a result of our work together, many clients gain more satisfaction from their life and work. They start following through on tasks without all of the internal “drama”, and they tell me that they are actually enjoying their lives again.

I Believe

Profound Healing is Possible: Anxiety doesn’t have to rule your life

Change Comes from the Change Maker: I have specialized expertise, and I will help facilitate and support change. You are doing the work, and you own the results.

Hope Heals: Hope is the foundation of all change.

B+ Work Changes Lives: Anti-Perfection is part of everything that I do. I expect to make mistakes. Getting it wrong is part of being human.

Humor is a Key Ingredient in Change: It’s important to have fun. Just because something is serious, doesn’t mean there isn’t humor there too. Laughter is a great tool to treat anxiety.

Values

Equality: I believe that racial, gender/sexual, economic, and ability inequality and injustice are systemic problems that will require systemic solutions at various levels.

• I personally engage in education and training aimed at challenging my own privilege and influence.

• My practice engages in education and training aimed at inclusive, socially-just care for all clients.

• My practice donates a portion of quarterly income to organizations advocating for local, national, and international change.

Anti-Perfection (This is listed twice because it’s that important): I will make mistakes, and I accept that as part of being human. I will do my best to accept feedback and make repairs.

Generosity: In addition to making donations to organizations aligned with my values, I believe in providing information and education related to mental health.

Respect: I believe in the inherent value and worth of all of my clients. I believe that they are capable of true healing. I believe challenging people and holding boundaries is a form of respect.

Professional Background

For those of you who care about the metaphorical lumber and pipes, here are my credentials.

Education
M.S./ EdS. Couples and Family Therapy and Clinical Mental Health Therapy: The University of North Carolina at Greensboro
BA. Sociology and Interpersonal and Organizational Communication: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

License/ Certifications
Board Certified Counselor
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor
Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist
Mental Health Integrative Medicine Certified Provider (MHIMCP)

Training
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Depression and Anxiety
Nutrition and Integrative Medicine for Mental Health Professionals

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