For people that are hesitant to try therapy, what do you wish you could tell them?

It takes courage to journey inward and look at our egos/shadow self but courage doesn’t mean fearless, it means walking the path despite the fear. You are not walking the path alone. The journey inward to reconnect with your authentic self and truth is beautiful and rewarding. 

Hello! I am a mental health therapist who works with individuals struggling with deep depression, (TRD) Treatment Resistant Depression, anxiety, PTSD, chronic stress, trauma. I am also a certified Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapist and Psychedelic Integration Therapist. 

Working on yourself is a sign of strength, not weakness. And you get to be in charge. Therapy can be whatever you want it to look like. Your voice matters. 

     Over 27 years of experience working with individuals , famine, groups, and organizations. Samantha is a Psychologist, Speaker, Best Selling Author, and Host of The Be Ruthless Show, a podcast dedicated to Making Noise and Breaking Stigmas.  She helps people around the world turn their pain into their power by guiding them to be their true selves not who they think they need to be, by embracing their differences and recognizing that their perceived weaknesses are their biggest strengths, and by living life on their own terms.  Samantha’s mission is to change the way the world views both grief and mental health, so people can speak about whatever issues they have and get the help they not only need but deserve without fear of judgment, labels, and repercussions  Samantha is the proud founder of Griefhab, a 24/7 community open to anyone who has experienced a loss. After personally living through this, Sam realized just how much support she needed on a daily basis. She vowed to create these services so that others would have more support available in their times of need. In her free time, you can find Sam and her pups, Sassy and Dallas, on one of their outdoor adventures. They never miss an opportunity to explore their beautiful surroundings. Music fuels Sam’s soul, family means everything to her, and honoring her late husband, Jim, and making him proud gives her life daily purpose.

Individuals, couples, children and families intensely desire to be accepted, to be loved, and to be considered worthwhile; they want to belong. Often, when this need is crushed, broken, and/or unfulfilled, it results in emotional and psychological struggles. Therapy provides an opportunity to alleviate and resolve these personal difficulties and find hope to live a joy-filled and peaceful life.  

I am a bilingual (English and Spanish) Licensed Professional, a Nationally Certified Counselor and a Certified Traumatologist who specializes in trauma, mood and anxiety disorders, PTSD, relationship, multiculticultural issues and problems associated with emotional and physical abuse.

For individuals needing therapy but could not muster the courage to do so initially, I would tell them I understand how difficult it is to take that first step. Having to seat in front of a total stranger to spill your guts can be very uncomfortable. You may worry about how you are perceived, judged or treated. It is okay to feel nervous or anxious but don't let that stop you from getting the help that you need. It gets better after you take that first step. I have had clients tell me the reasons they were initially hesitant, and wanted to just turn around and leave on day of first appointment. They are happy they didn't as therapy ended up not being everything they dreaded or thought it was based on cultural perceptions.

My goal as your therapist is to guide you to identify your inner strengths during the therapeutic relationship. I specialize in everyday life problems, mood disorders, depression, anxiety, self-esteem, addiction and adjustment issues. I have experience working with people from all walks of life, and assisting individual clients, couples and families experiencing relationship issues. I currently provide individual therapy services to clients experiencing suicidal thoughts, mental health, substance abuse, and PTSD utilizing a client centered, solution focused approach to assist clients in therapy.

I would tell them to start slow. Never let anyone make you feel rushed or become impatient with you. To allow someone into your heart and mind is a gift, and not everyone deserves that present. Therapy is hard for a lot of people and your relationship with your therapist has to be positive and validating. If it's not, then it's time to find a new therapist that does make you feel like you're making progress, even when you tell yourself you are not.

Your story doesn't end here. You are more than your experiences. I believe that everyone has the ability to heal, and it is my goal to help you find your way back to wellness. Let's start the next chapter together. My therapy approach is that of "Mind, Body, Soul" and believe that all three will influence someone's quality of life. Whether it be someone needing psychotherapy to address past traumatic events or someone who is holding their trauma in their body, everything revolves around alignment. I offer a variety of modalities that address the whole person, not just their mental needs. I offer EMDR for both adults and children both in person and virtually, Play Therapy (in person), and available for BOTH in-person and virtual, Somatic Experiencing, Trauma and Tension Releasing Exercises, and Ketamine Assisted Therapy. For those in Dallas, TX, I will be starting a 90 min. biweekly T.R.E. and "Chakra of the Month" Sound Bath group class. Winding Path Solutions came to me when I was hiking Mt. Rainer. As I was walking and not paying attention, I kept tripping on rocks and tree roots and stumbling on the path. Things like anxiety, depression, loneliness are all those rocks and roots. They make the path more complicated and trickier, but isn't it a great feeling when you've completed the path?

Asking for help is difficult but you are not alone , we can walk this journey together .

I have been working in Mental health for 8 years with a diverse population . I enjoy bringing change , encouragement and balance to those struggling

There are all kinds of people with all kinds of experiences in the world.  People have had bad experiences with some therapists.  I would like to encourage you to try one more time.  Find a therapist who has specialized services in the areas you need. Find a therapist who uses new and innovative techniques.  Give us the opportunity to overcome the bad rap out there about therapy.

Hello!  I started a private practice 8 years ago and I absolutely love what I do.  Helping people has been a lifelong gift that I have.  Let me help you!

Sometimes it takes talking through things and getting another perspective to see things clearer. In addition, things can often be too overwhelming to deal with on your own and a therapist is a great person to speak to because they are nonjudgemental and nonbiased with the capabilities to give you an honest answer. 

Hello!  I am a recent (May 2019) graduate of the Masters of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Texas A&M University-Central Texas. I graduated from the same school in 2016 with a Bachelors of Science in Psychology.  I specialized in child and adolescents throughout my school career.  For my internship, I completed hours at Cedar Crest Hospital and RTC, working with children, adolescents, and adults.  Upon graduation I got a full time job at the same hospital on the adult unit.  I became adept at working with those with schizophrenia, Bipolar, depression, anxiety, PTSD, and Borderline Personality Disorder.  I also am very experienced and knowledgeable at working with those with ADHD, autism, and various learning and developmental delays. I enjoy using a person centered approach that focuses on the person’s strength and ability to manage their daily living through skills taught in therapy.  However, I enjoy research and drawing on many other modalities to provide the treatment that would best benefit the client. I am currently an LPC-Associate/NCC, but I am less than 300 hours away from full licensure. I have experience both with the short term hospital therapy and the more chronic long term therapy aspects, having seen several clients.  I have transitioned to private practice, where I see patients both in person and via telehealth. I currently cannot accept insurance because I do not have my full license yet, but I do accept cash payment.