About Sam

I have always had an inherent curiosity and desire to understand other peoples' experiences. When I was younger I used to walk down the streets of my hometown of New York City and think about all the people passing by and their many stories. Part of this curiosity was me searching for reference points to better make sense of my own life, family and feelings. Another part was an inclination toward existential wonder: What is our purpose? Why do we suffer? How do we make meaning of our experiences? Over time this curiosity grew into an awareness of the complexity and diversity of experiences as well as a core value to be of service to others.

I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Literature and Creative Writing from Sarah Lawrence College and worked as a writer before pursuing a career as a therapist. After experiencing traumatic loss as a young adult I turned to buddhist psychology to usher me through my grief. It was this experience that solidified my career path as a psychotherapist. I hold a Masters of Arts degree in Counseling Psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies where I studied the convergence of western psychology and eastern philosophies with a particular interest in buddhism. I completed graduate training in psychodynamic and relational psychotherapy at the Integral Counseling Center at Pierce Street in San Francisco, worked for a decade in community mental health, and for the last ten years had my own private practice. You can find my LinkedIn profile here.

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the states of Oregon (#T1634) and California (#80002) and Colorado (#0002157).