Working with me

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“Samantha is a highly skilled and experienced social worker who has specialized in providing trauma-informed and victim-centered services to individuals and families affected by trauma. Samantha is not only a proficient social worker, but also a compassionate and empathetic person who genuinely cares about the wellbeing and recovery of her clients. She has remarkable rapport with her clients, who trust and respect her for her professionalism, honesty and kindness.”

Selena West, Director Aboriginal Outcomes Division, Department of Communities

We all want to feel better and to address our suffering and there’s only so much we can figure out intellectually, or cognitively. As the wonderful Dr. Gabor Mate says “You cannot think your way out of trauma”. Talk therapy keeps us in our heads but does not bring us down into the body, where repressed emotions and a dysregulated nervous system may be at the core of suffering. We often avoid going into the body, because it does not feel safe.

My therapy style, built up over 23 years of social work practice and trauma studies, combines elements of traditional talking therapy with compassionate curiosity, nervous system education, mindful awareness and somatic inquiry. Therapy sessions are customized according to you and your needs.

Trauma recovery is not a quick fix. It takes time, but I can let you know that you won’t be walking the healing pathway alone. I will offer you a safe container to express whatever comes up in sessions. All parts of you are welcome. My lens is one of compassion and non-judgment, a lens of ‘what happened to you, and never of ‘what is wrong with you?’

Qualifications, Professional memberships & relevant training

I’ve spent the past two decades listening to stories of trauma from people courageous enough to share them openly with me. Within the walls of prisons, in hospital rooms, in aged care homes, within psychiatric wards, in private homes and most recently when working with survivors of institutional childhood sexual abuse. I've held senior positions within health, worked for not for profit organisations, legal services, mental health and aged care services. If you have any questions about my experience, please feel free to ask.

Bachelor of Social Work (hons), University of Western Australia.
Member of Australian Association of Social Workers
Certified Clinical Trauma Professional
Member IATP (International Association Trauma Professionals)
Grief and bereavement counselling cert
Trained in embodied processing (somatic) techniques
Polyvagal theory training-Deb Dana/Polyvagal institute
Compassionate enquiry training -Dr Gabor Mate
Trained in Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Trained in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
Current suicide first aid
Current national police clearance
Current working with children card (Western Australia)