Hi, I’m Sam.

I am a licensed psychotherapist (LMFT#142532) in Oakland providing in-person and virtual therapy for people who feel powerless against their inner critic, and are tired of the cycle of feeling “too much/not enough” which requires some sort of coping to bear its weight: debilitating codependency, people pleasing, endless scrolling, heavy drinking, abandonment wounding, the list could go on ad infinitum.

I believe that we all carry some type of unconscious burden – whether from our family system or difficult life experiences — that informs our habits and behaviors. We learn ways of coping that may not work in the long term. Many of us did not learn self-esteem or self-care. It is possible to change, but first we must look at what led us here.

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 loved or understood.

With over a decade of personal recovery experience and spiritual development that spans the terrain of attachment trauma and healing. As a person who stutters, I got involved with this unique neurodivergent community from a young age and learned that even having a support network wasn't enough to feel held. Through talk therapy, EMDR, my own mindfulness practice, personal recovery from toxic relationship patterns, and long term sobriety, I found my way back to MY voice and a place of peace, even in the storm.

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, and challenging norms to cultivate a true sense of identity - regardless of what you have been told about yourself.

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

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

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING

Trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), Center for Creative Mindfulness

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

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

CAMFT (California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists)

San Francisco CAMFT

East Bay CAMFT

HOLISTIC TRAINING

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

Institute for Integrative Nutrition, Health Coach Certification

Board of Directors, National Stuttering Association