Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha.
Hi Samantha, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
It’s actually kind of funny. The reason I chose to study psychology was that during my Bachelor’s program, I was feeling quite lost and had not selected a major. My advisor at Florida International University told me that unless I selected a major the following semester, I would need to be put on an academic pause, and I was enrolled in a class called “Finding Your Major”, which involved taking a bunch of personality tests and learning about different career paths. A mental health counselor was one of the jobs that came up on my personality test, and I had done well in AP Psychology in high school, so I thought it would be interesting to learn about the way people’s minds work and why they behave the way that they do, and it was interesting!
I was someone who definitely would have benefited from therapy or social services growing up, so I believe that contributes to my passion for helping others.
I earned my Master’s of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from NOVA Southeastern University in Miami in 2021, and moved to the Winter Garden area that same year.
I worked with a few group practices prior to deciding to begin my own virtual practice.
Throughmy own therapy journey and working with clients, I was able to begin my own journey of finding out that I have ADHD and all the steps that come with unmasking, creating tools to manage ADHD, and accepting how ADHD affects my daily life. Although I enjoy working with different types of clients and their concerns, my passion is working with individuals with ADHD and helping them learn to navigate the difficulties that may come with it.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I wouldn’t say it’s been a smooth road, haha. I guess it depends on where the “road” starts? I grew up low-income, and for the majority of my Bachelor’s program, I biked to school (yes, even in the Miami rain) and worked. In my master’s program, I worked full-time while completing school part-time.
Opening your own practice is scary and overwhelming, but unfortunately, it’s necessary to have success and independence as a therapist. School only taught me how to help people through therapy; it didn’t teach me about marketing, accounting, taxes, running a business, or how to deal with health insurance. These are all things we have to figure out on our own as practice owners, and some days it can feel daunting. However, the fulfillment, balance, and enjoyment that I’m able to achieve through my career makes that worth it.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Find Your Spark Mental Health, LLC is a virtual therapy practice that provides mental health counseling services to clients in the state of Florida. I specialize in working with teens and adults who may be struggling with ADHD, low-self esteem, anxiety, depression, complex trauma and attachment issues, as well as difficult life changes.
The thing that sets me apart from others is probably how relatable I am. I have personally experienced a lot of the concerns my clients come to therapy with, and I can take a down-to-earth approach that does not feel clinical but does make a positive impact on people’s lives.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
Some of my favorite mental health apps include Smiling Mind, Focus Friend, and Finch.
The books that I find myself recommending the most, or that clients have told me have helped them or their child, include The Whole Brain Child and Brainstorm by Dr. Dan Siegel, Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents by Lindsay Gibson, How to ADHD by Jessica McCabe, and ADHD Is Awesome: A Guide to (Mostly) Thriving with ADHD by Kim Holderness and Penn Holderness.
I’ll admit, I do mostly like to read and listen to podcasts as a form of entertainment or self-care, so anything fantasy or comical will be my go-to!
Pricing:
- I accept several major insurance plans including Cigna, Aetna, United, Optum Florida Blue, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Anthem, etc.
- The out-of-pocket cost for a therapy session is $180, but I do offer some sliding scale options on a case by case basis.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://findyoursparkmh.wixsite.com/mysite
- Other: https://www.psychologytoday.com/profile/983311
