Sit down and get to know Samantha |
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Thank you for taking the time to get to know a little about my story. I specialize in working with women's issues, family empowerment and teens. I am a bilingual, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) with the State of North Carolina. I am also a Registered Clinical Mental Health Counselor Supervisor. I am a "transplant", having been born and raised in Ohio and later moving to Puerto Rico. I have been in the mental health field for more years than I would like to say (I am having issues with age, if you couldn't tell). Providing an open, authentic and non-judgmental space is my passion.
I am the owner of Peak Professional Group, PLLC, a private counseling practice with offices located in Apex & Pittsboro, NC where I strive to ensure that every person that comes through our doors feels like they are special and accepted. My professional passion is three-fold in nature- Trauma, Authenticity and Intentionality. I believe in the importance of focusing on growing an authentic and real professional relationship with everyone that I treat. I will support you along your journey and provide you with a truly authentic counseling experience. |
Professional Qualifications:
I have been a lifelong learner, believing in the power of continuing my education, both for my professional development but also to enrich and enhance my abilities to help others. To keep things short and sweet, I have the following educational experiences and professional license:
LICENSE:
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) - North Carolina Board of Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors.
DEGREES:
Associates degree in Human Services Technology from Kent State University.
Bachelor's degree in Social Work from Capital University
Master's degree from Walden University with a specialization in Crisis & Trauma.
CERTIFICATIONS:
Certified Life & Business coach through Coaching for Wellness
Certified Community Translator through Lake Erie College
SPECIFIC TRAINING:
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
Mental Health First Aid
Psychological First Aid (PSA)- American Red Cross
Disaster Mental Health- American Red Cross
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS (past/present)
American Counseling Association
North Carolina Counseling Association
LICENSE:
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) - North Carolina Board of Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors.
DEGREES:
Associates degree in Human Services Technology from Kent State University.
Bachelor's degree in Social Work from Capital University
Master's degree from Walden University with a specialization in Crisis & Trauma.
CERTIFICATIONS:
Certified Life & Business coach through Coaching for Wellness
Certified Community Translator through Lake Erie College
SPECIFIC TRAINING:
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
Mental Health First Aid
Psychological First Aid (PSA)- American Red Cross
Disaster Mental Health- American Red Cross
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS (past/present)
American Counseling Association
North Carolina Counseling Association
Trauma Work
Trauma is defined by a deeply disturbing event or series of events that often marks us in detrimental ways. I specialize in working through complex trauma. You might ask "what is complex trauma?", Like other forms of more well-known "trauma" these forms of trauma, complex trauma, are a monster all on it's own. It is trauma that is consistently experienced throughout those formative years and is commonly seen in people who been physically, emotionally or sexually abused by a caregiver when they were young. The horrific and damaging experience of being hurt by those that were put on Earth to protect and love us can be a devastating factor in how we learn how to interact and even attach to others in our lives.
We are able to tell our stories, hear and process new or different perspectives on things and even come to terms with past trauma (and yes, our mothers are to blame for everything)…just kidding. On a serious note, telling our stories and learning from our past and present does significantly impact our future. We are able to come up with different conclusions about events that have happened in our past and almost “re-write” our stories.
We are able to tell our stories, hear and process new or different perspectives on things and even come to terms with past trauma (and yes, our mothers are to blame for everything)…just kidding. On a serious note, telling our stories and learning from our past and present does significantly impact our future. We are able to come up with different conclusions about events that have happened in our past and almost “re-write” our stories.
A Woman's Perspective:
We are good at juggling a hundred things at once, except taking care of ourselves. We are good at listening to advice without following our own. We certainly rein over the other gender in how we are able to multi-task, keep schedules straight, kids fed and clothed and god forbid we take 30 minutes for a quick walk or facial or something else that helps us feel more human! So, I am good at many, many things. I am good at doing more than one thing at a time (despite research that says the opposite- I am superwoman and get more things done than most men on any given day (I really am not a man-hater....promise). I am good at "keep on-keepin' on." In other words, I am 'stead-fast' in nature.
I fight for what I believe in, having the common sense to know when to back down and can find amazing ways to solve problems. I am persistent with my profession, with my family, my children's success and happiness and I am good at looking for new alternatives even in the darkest of moments and believe me when I say there have been dark days in my life (just like everyone else). Talking about what we are good at is liberating, if not empowering, in nature. We spend so much time taking care of others and making sure that everyone else is "good" that we forget to notice what it is that we are GOOD at. So, take a moment to write down all of the things that you are good at! If you need help finding the sliver lining, ask those friends and family that are close to you.
As a mental health counselor and mother of two adultish men, I have heard it all…literally. Of course, the minute I say that, things change and I am once again shocked by them. It is challenging to say the least!
I hear way too many personal things about my kids, their friends, girlfriends (or lack of) and at times, have thought about secretly murdering the extremely annoying cows and sheep in Mine Craft (just kidding). I almost feel bad for my kids, I mean, they have a mother who is always looking deeper into what they say, how they say it and what they do!
On a serious note, many of my parents ask me about parenting teenagers: What are the right amount of boundaries? How do I talk to my teen about sex, drugs and peer pressure without getting the notorious rolling of the eyes and ” I’m fine, MOM” comments? What about their future? How do I, as a parent, talk to them about their futures?
If there is one thing that I have learned this is it: Teens want to talk about themselves. Human beings love to be the center of attention. If given the right environment and a trustworthy recipient, teens enjoy discussing their lives. As an addendum, teens like talking about what THEY like. Talking about their family arguments or school problems does not interest them. Their friends, their dreams and goals, their feelings, and their frustrations are the favorite topics for discussion. Find ways to understand what it is that they like (listen to their music- or Google it!- Honestly some of the music is realllllllyyyyyy interesting). On a side note- now I sound like my mother….rrrrrrr.
Learn their “lingo” but know that if you actually start to use it, they will likely laugh in your face, call youa "boomer" or just roll their eyes. We learn their “lingo” so that we don’t look like confused “old farts” when they DO actually talk to us. Ask them what “new” words actually mean. Listen to mainstream radio stations or Pandora/Spotify to get an idea of who is who in the music world, meet their friends and always, always set the tone for good communication skills between you and your teen. It is NOT easy to do this but it is worth the “battle”. Let them fly solo just a little bit and like a mother hen, always be there to gather them back up.
I fight for what I believe in, having the common sense to know when to back down and can find amazing ways to solve problems. I am persistent with my profession, with my family, my children's success and happiness and I am good at looking for new alternatives even in the darkest of moments and believe me when I say there have been dark days in my life (just like everyone else). Talking about what we are good at is liberating, if not empowering, in nature. We spend so much time taking care of others and making sure that everyone else is "good" that we forget to notice what it is that we are GOOD at. So, take a moment to write down all of the things that you are good at! If you need help finding the sliver lining, ask those friends and family that are close to you.
As a mental health counselor and mother of two adultish men, I have heard it all…literally. Of course, the minute I say that, things change and I am once again shocked by them. It is challenging to say the least!
I hear way too many personal things about my kids, their friends, girlfriends (or lack of) and at times, have thought about secretly murdering the extremely annoying cows and sheep in Mine Craft (just kidding). I almost feel bad for my kids, I mean, they have a mother who is always looking deeper into what they say, how they say it and what they do!
On a serious note, many of my parents ask me about parenting teenagers: What are the right amount of boundaries? How do I talk to my teen about sex, drugs and peer pressure without getting the notorious rolling of the eyes and ” I’m fine, MOM” comments? What about their future? How do I, as a parent, talk to them about their futures?
If there is one thing that I have learned this is it: Teens want to talk about themselves. Human beings love to be the center of attention. If given the right environment and a trustworthy recipient, teens enjoy discussing their lives. As an addendum, teens like talking about what THEY like. Talking about their family arguments or school problems does not interest them. Their friends, their dreams and goals, their feelings, and their frustrations are the favorite topics for discussion. Find ways to understand what it is that they like (listen to their music- or Google it!- Honestly some of the music is realllllllyyyyyy interesting). On a side note- now I sound like my mother….rrrrrrr.
Learn their “lingo” but know that if you actually start to use it, they will likely laugh in your face, call youa "boomer" or just roll their eyes. We learn their “lingo” so that we don’t look like confused “old farts” when they DO actually talk to us. Ask them what “new” words actually mean. Listen to mainstream radio stations or Pandora/Spotify to get an idea of who is who in the music world, meet their friends and always, always set the tone for good communication skills between you and your teen. It is NOT easy to do this but it is worth the “battle”. Let them fly solo just a little bit and like a mother hen, always be there to gather them back up.