Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist AMFT 133699
Supervised by Kari Barker, M.S., LMFT 39947
Samantha earned her Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Clinical Psychology from San Jose State University and holds both a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Psychological Brain Sciences and Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Sociology from the University of California Santa Barbara.
Her learning at San Jose State emphasized a scientific understanding and case formulation of psychopathology, known as an evidence-based practice approach to psychotherapy. While ensuring adherence to these evidence-based practices, Samantha also uses a culturally competent lens which ensures that treatment is individualized to each person or family.
Samantha completed her internship with Gardner Health Services, a school-based program. Within this program Samantha provided individual, family, and parent therapy to diverse populations, ranging from children with behavioral disorders, to teens with trauma and mood disorders. She also co-facilitated stress management and social skills groups. She has received training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT). Samantha also worked with teens who were navigating foster care and the juvenile justice systems.
Samantha first began using a DBT approach with her clients who were displaying suicidal and other self-destructive behaviors. After witnessing the positive change made by clients using this approach, Samantha became passionate about applying DBT in a more comprehensive manner, which is what led her to her work at DBT Center of the South Bay.
At the core of all services that Samantha provides is compassion, non-judgmental, consistent collaboration, as well as the belief that we are all doing the best we can AND we can do better.