Tampa Therapist Specializing in Couples Therapy & Emotionally Focused Therapy

Samantha Kindler, MA



  • Registered Mental Health Counseling Intern

  • Specialized in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for couples and relational healing

About Samantha

Samantha Kindler is a relational, strengths-based therapist dedicated to creating a therapeutic environment where individuals, couples, and families feel truly seen, heard, and valued. She empowers clients to navigate anxiety, trauma, betrayal, and relationship challenges with compassion and respect for their unique story. Her collaborative style helps people find clarity, rebuild connection, and move forward with confidence.

Credentials & Education


  • Registered Mental Health Counseling Intern — Florida | License #IMH27457

  • M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Concordia University

  • Trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)

  • Trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Schedule a consultation


Who Samantha Supports

Samantha works with:

Tampa clients value Samantha's warm, empowering approach and her ability to guide them toward deeper self-understanding and lasting change.

Samantha’s Approach to Therapy

Samantha blends evidence-based modalities with a relational, strengths-focused approach. Her sessions are collaborative, compassionate, and designed to help clients connect with their inner resources while addressing challenges.

She focuses on:

  • Strengthening emotional bonds in couples using Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) to create secure attachment and deeper connection

  • Changing unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for anxiety, depression, and relational stress

  • Building on existing strengths through strengths-based counseling that empowers clients to recognize their innate abilities and resources

  • Improving relational connections with relational therapy focused on communication, understanding, and emotional attunement

  • Processing trauma and betrayal in ways that honor clients' experiences while supporting healing and growth

  • Creating clarity and confidence through collaborative exploration of what matters most to each client

Samantha's approach is grounded in meeting clients where they are with compassion, respect, and a deep belief in their capacity for growth and healing.

What Samantha Helps Clients With

Samantha supports Tampa clients experiencing:

  • Anxiety and panic

  • Depression and low mood

  • Trauma and PTSD

  • Couples communication challenges

  • Emotional disconnection in relationships

  • Betrayal and infidelity

  • Trust and intimacy issues

  • Life transitions and adjustment

  • Self-worth and identity struggles

  • Personal growth and self-understanding

Samantha’s Background & Training

Samantha's professional experience includes:

  • Working with individuals and couples across Florida

  • Supporting clients through anxiety, depression, trauma, relational conflict, and significant life transitions

  • Utilizing evidence-based approaches including EFT and CBT

Her advanced training includes:

  • Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) — a proven approach for strengthening emotional bonds in couples and families

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) — an evidence-based approach for understanding and changing unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors

  • Strengths-Based Counseling — empowering clients by identifying and building on their existing abilities

  • Relational Therapy — focusing on improving connections, communication, and understanding within relationships

A Message From Samantha

"Therapy is about creating a space where you feel truly seen, heard, and valued. Whether you're working through anxiety, rebuilding your relationship, or seeking deeper self-understanding, I'm here to walk alongside you with compassion, collaboration, and respect for your unique journey."

Ready to work with Samantha?

We invite you to schedule a FREE CONSULTATION with us to begin your healing journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and how does it help couples?

Emotionally Focused Therapy is a research-backed approach designed to strengthen emotional bonds between partners. EFT focuses on identifying negative interaction patterns (like pursue-withdraw or criticism-defensiveness) and helping couples understand the underlying emotions and attachment needs driving those patterns. Rather than focusing on surface-level communication skills, EFT helps partners create secure emotional connection, express vulnerability safely, and respond to each other's needs in ways that build intimacy and trust. It's one of the most effective approaches for couples therapy with strong evidence for lasting change.

Can therapy help couples who have experienced betrayal or infidelity?

Yes. Betrayal creates profound emotional wounds that affect trust, safety, and the foundation of the relationship. Therapy provides a structured space to process the trauma of betrayal, understand what led to it, decide whether to rebuild or separate, and—if staying together—create a new relationship built on honesty, accountability, and renewed connection. This work requires both partners to engage authentically and can be incredibly difficult, but healing is possible with the right support and commitment.

How does strengths-based counseling differ from traditional therapy?

Strengths-based counseling focuses on identifying and building on your existing abilities, inner resources, and positive qualities rather than solely focusing on problems or deficits. While traditional therapy often explores what's wrong and how to fix it, strengths-based work asks "what's already working?" and "what strengths can we amplify?" This approach empowers clients to recognize their resilience, leverage their natural abilities, and create change from a place of capability rather than inadequacy.

What does relational therapy mean?

Relational therapy focuses on the connections between people—how we communicate, understand each other, and navigate emotional needs within relationships. Whether working with couples, families, or individuals exploring relationship patterns, relational therapy examines the dynamics, attachment styles, and emotional responses that shape how we relate to others. The goal is to improve communication, build understanding, and create healthier, more fulfilling connections.

Can therapy help with anxiety that feels constant and overwhelming?

Yes. CBT is particularly effective for anxiety because it addresses both the thought patterns (cognitive) and behaviors (behavioral) that fuel anxiety cycles. You'll learn to identify triggers, challenge anxious thoughts, develop coping strategies, and gradually face feared situations in safe, structured ways. Therapy also explores underlying factors—past experiences, attachment wounds, or unmet needs—that may be contributing to chronic anxiety, addressing it at both symptom and root levels.

How do you work with people going through major life transitions?

Life transitions—whether career changes, relationship endings, loss, relocation, or identity shifts—often trigger anxiety, grief, and uncertainty about the future. Therapy provides a space to process the emotions that come with change, explore what you're leaving behind and what you're moving toward, clarify your values and goals, and build confidence in navigating the unknown. Transitions can be opportunities for growth when you have support to work through them intentionally.

Locations Served

Samantha provides:

therapy in tampa

virtual therapy across florida

Learn more about our Tampa therapy services.