Samantha is an accomplished PsyD candidate in clinical psychology at The Wright Institute in Berkeley, California. Her research and clinical interests focus on compulsive sexual behaviours, masculinity and sexuality, and relationship satisfaction in long-term partnerships. Her doctoral research delves into the experiences of cisgender men disclosing sexual secrets to long-term partners, exploring how these disclosures may deepen connections and provide meaning. Through a feminist lens, Samantha examines the impact of gender socialization on men’s emotional and sexual understanding within a patriarchal society.

Known for her warmth, openness, and empathy, Samantha is committed to supporting individuals and couples navigating diverse sexual challenges and relational disconnection. She has extensive clinical experience working with couples where one or both partners have experienced trauma or mental health difficulties. Additionally, Samantha has provided affirmative care to LGBTQ+, neurodivergent, and kink communities, as well as those managing chronic illness.

Throughout her doctoral training, she has gained extensive experience in clinical settings, including the Berkeley Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Clinic, Tree of Life Family Wellness Center, and Medical Hill Healthcare Center in Oakland, where she specialized in neuropsychology and assessment. Samantha also has experience supporting individuals struggling with substance use and severe mental illness, and has provided both individual and group therapy in a detoxification facility in Ottawa. Her predoctoral work for a large bilingual mental health and addictions agency highlights her commitment to social justice, where she played a pivotal role in developing housing and substance use programs for unhoused communities for over seven years.

Samantha’s clinical approach is deeply relational, combining evidence-based practices such as Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). She integrates attachment theory with systemic and humanistic-experiential approaches, respecting each client’s capacity for self-insight and growth. Samantha is particularly attuned to the ways in which her clients’ unique socioeconomic backgrounds, intersectional identities, and generational histories intersect with broader systems of oppression. She prioritizes an awareness of power dynamics in the therapeutic relationship, fostering a collaborative and reflective environment where clients are encouraged to explore their sense of agency. Samantha also draws on her extensive background and training in yoga and mindfulness, promoting present-moment awareness in and out of therapy.

Samantha is currently under the supervision of Dr. Morag Yule, C. Psych, and offers virtual sessions on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.