PROFESSIONAL LICENSES

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, License #142532

EDUCATION

Antioch University, M.A. Clinical Psychology

Boston University, M.S., Mass Communication

New York University, B.A. Journalism

HOLISTIC TRAINING

Yogala Studio, Echo Park, CA, 200HR Yoga Teacher Training

Institute for Integrative Nutrition, Health Coach Certification

Board of Directors, National Stuttering Association

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Therapist (Intensive Outpatient/Chemical Dependency), Sutter Hospital at Mills Peninsula Medical Center, San Mateo

Clinical Team Lead and Clinician, Telecare County Services, Oakland

Primary Therapist / Family Therapist, Muir Wood Adolescent and Family Services, Petaluma

Therapist, Duffy’s Napa Valley, Calistoga

Therapist Trainee, Southern California Counseling Center

Hi, I’m Sam.

I am a licensed psychotherapist (she/her) in San Francisco providing in-person and virtual therapy for healing shame, relationship problems, addictive patterns, and struggles with self-worth.

I believe that we all carry some type of unconscious burden – whether from family of origin or difficult life experiences — that informs our habits and behaviors. As the spiritual teacher Ram Dass put it so well, “there is horror and beauty in everything.” How we hold those two things defines our life experience.

Many years ago, before I became a therapist, I was a Rolling Stone intern, fascinated by counterculture but mystified by true authenticity. As a person who stutters, I grew up thinking I needed to sound, act, and BE different than what I felt. What I eventually learned is that almost everyone hides a part of themselves they feel could never be embraced or understood.

We hide parts of ourselves until we no longer are sure who we are, and the journey back can be grueling.

I have unique experience working with self-perception, challenging norms, and cultivating a true sense of identity - regardless of what you have been told about yourself. I believe our most important relationship is the one with ourselves, which so often is colored by our thoughts, beliefs and conditioning.

If you have felt misunderstood or have had to hide your true feelings, desires or authentic self, you are in the right place. I do not condone “curing” uniqueness. I do not believe difference is a problem. But it can be painful at first to seek more, and I explore this with you.

I will guide you in exploring your conditioning, beliefs, and attitudes while empowering you to take responsibility for the choices in your life to ultimately become more free.

In my free time you can find me running up mountains, with friends, or being a perpetual tourist in San Francisco.