About Me
se habla español
Hi! My name is Sam. I specialize in working with individuals (including children), families, and couples who are looking to make positive changes in their lives. Some of my specialties include: family and relationship conflict, life adjustments, behavioral issues, parenting struggles, abuse, anxiety, depression, addiction and trauma.
In my practice, I use a range of therapeutic modalities to tailor treatment to each client's unique needs. These modalities include Play Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Strengths-Based Therapy, and Family Systems. As a Marriage and Family Therapist, I understand the impact of family dynamics and relationships on an individual's well-being, and I incorporate a systemic perspective into the treatment process.
When I am not meeting with clients, I like watching movies, playing games, cheering on the Utah Jazz, the LA Dodgers, and watching or playing sports. I also enjoy cooking, at one point in my life, I thought I wanted to be a chef and I went to culinary school! I most enjoy spending time with my wife, and our four kids.
Finding the right therapist can be difficult and sometimes overwhelming! I would love the opportunity to meet you to see if we would be a good fit.
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
PRIVATE PRACTICE THERAPIST
Most recently, I have had the opportunity to work in outpatient private practice settings. I work with individuals, couples, and families to help them through their challenges, whether it be a child managing behavioral issues, a couple working through communication problems, or an individual processing trauma. I love my job and love seeing my clients' lives improve as they work towards their goals.
GROUP HOME THERAPIST
As a Marriage and Family Therapy Intern, I worked in a residential group home as a therapist for sexually reactive children as they healed from sexual trauma and managed other mental health issues. These kids were part of the secure placement foster care system. I gained valuable experience working with the children, their biological families, their foster families, and others involved in their care.
IN HOME BEHAVIORAL THERAPIST
I had the privilege of working for The Utah Youth Village, an exceptional non-profit organization. For a rewarding five years, I worked as a "Families First Specialist," an in-home behavioral therapist. I was trained and certified in the “Teaching-Family Model." In this role, I worked with hundreds of families struggling with poor parent/child interaction, domestic violence/abuse, behavioral/school issues and other family challenges.
We were contracted through the State to assist families involved with the Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS), Juvenile Probation, and the Foster Care System. I was also the Northern Utah coordinator and supervised the specialists north of Salt Lake City.
UNDERGRADUATE EXPERIENCE
While working towards a Bachelor's degree in Psychology, I worked in residential treatment facilities. I gained an appreciation for the influence that family relationships play in an individual's mental health. It was because of this influence that I decided to study Marriage and Family Therapy in graduate school.
Because I know that you care: I also worked as a radish picker, a dishwasher, a grocery store broker, a chef, a translator, and an edible arrangements deliverer.
EDUCATION
MASTER'S OF SCIENCE; MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPY
Graduated Summa Cum Laude, 2021 from Capella University, Minneapolis MN
BACHELOR'S OF SCIENCE; PSYCHOLOGY
Graduated Cum Laude, 2016 from Weber State University, Ogden UT
Minor in Spanish