Samantha Wilson, LMHC
Specializing in EMDR, Trauma & Child Therapy in Sarasota
Specialized in EMDR and trauma therapy for children, teens, and adults
Licensed Mental Health Counselor offering in-person therapy in Sarasota and telehealth statewide across Florida
About Samantha
Samantha Wilson is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with the State of Florida. She is dedicated to supporting children, teenagers, families, couples, and adults navigating trauma, anxiety, and the life transitions that come with growing up and moving through change. Samantha's clinical work is grounded in EMDR therapy and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, two of the most established evidence-based approaches available for trauma recovery, and her background in school-based care across elementary through high school settings gives her a deep understanding of how young people experience stress at every stage of development. Her style is warm, collaborative, and grounded, balancing genuine compassion with practical tools and honest conversation. Samantha meets clients where they are, builds steady therapeutic relationships, and helps young clients reconnect with their own resilience.
Credentials & Education
Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), Florida | License #MH27633
Master of Arts in Education, Major in School Counseling, Eastern Kentucky University
EMDR Therapy trained
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) trained
Who Samantha Supports
Samantha works with:
Children and adolescents experiencing anxiety and stress, building practical coping skills they can use at school, at home, and with friends
Children and teens navigating life transitions, including a new school, a shifting family structure, or other significant change
Families seeking healthier dynamics around a struggling child or teen
Children, teens, and adults building self-confidence and resilience after periods of difficulty or major life change
Couples navigating relational stress, complex trauma, and life transitions
Adults navigating complex trauma and PTSD
Samantha’s Approach to Therapy
Samantha integrates evidence-based trauma and anxiety treatments with a warm, collaborative, strengths-based approach. Her sessions are designed to feel safe and engaging, focused on practical skill-building and the steady work of growth. She focuses on:
Using Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) to help children, teens, and their caregivers process difficult experiences and rebuild a sense of safety
Using EMDR therapy to help young clients process trauma when traditional talk therapy alone is not enough
Supporting children and adolescents through anxiety, stress, self-esteem, and the everyday pressures of growing up
Helping clients navigate life transitions and the emotional adjustment that comes with each
Building coping skills that fit into the actual rhythm of a young person's life, including practical tools for managing big feelings at school, at home, and in friendships
Working with families to support caregiver involvement, parent-child communication, and the relational dynamics that shape every child
What Samantha Helps Clients With
Samantha supports Sarasota children, teens, and families experiencing:
Trauma and post-traumatic stress
Anxiety, generalized anxiety, and stress
School stress and academic pressure
Family conflict and family transitions
Life transitions, including relocation and school change
Self-confidence, self-esteem, and identity development
Emotional regulation and big feelings
Couples and relational stress
Samantha’s Background & Training
Samantha specializes in supporting children, teens, and families in healing from trauma. Her training and experience include:
Master of Arts in Education with a major in School Counseling from Eastern Kentucky University
Experience in school-based care across elementary through high school settings
Experience working with adults navigating complex trauma, PTSD, and life transitions
EMDR therapy training
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) training
A Message From Samantha
"I want my clients to feel genuinely seen and understood in our work together. Whether you are a child who has been through something hard, a teen who feels like everything is too much right now, or a parent watching your child struggle and not knowing what to do, my approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded. I balance compassion with practical tools and honest conversation, so that therapy feels both supportive and meaningful."
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 Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and when is it the right approach?
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or TF-CBT, is one of the most extensively researched and recommended treatments for children and adolescents who have experienced trauma. It combines cognitive behavioral techniques with components specifically designed for trauma recovery, including psychoeducation about how trauma affects the body and mind, gradual processing of the difficult memory in a way that reduces its hold, and structured involvement of caregivers in the healing process. TF-CBT is particularly effective for children and teens who have lived through any event that has changed how they feel safe in the world.
Is EMDR safe and effective for children and teens?
Yes. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy, or EMDR, is a well-researched trauma treatment that helps the brain process difficult memories so they no longer carry the same intensity. It is recognized as an evidence-based treatment for children, adolescents, and adults by the World Health Organization and the American Psychological Association. EMDR is particularly useful for young clients who have experienced trauma that is difficult to talk about directly, because the work does not require the child or teen to verbally relive the difficult experience in detail.
What should parents expect when their child or teen starts therapy with Samantha?
The first session is structured around understanding the child or teen's experience, building a trusting therapeutic relationship, and getting a clear sense of what brings them to therapy. For younger children, that often involves parent involvement throughout the session, with caregivers learning the therapy approach alongside their child. For teens, Samantha balances meeting privately with the teen to build trust and autonomy while keeping caregivers appropriately involved through regular check-ins. Parents leave the first session with a clearer sense of the plan, what their role is, and how to support their child through the work.
Does Samantha offer virtual therapy across Florida?
Yes. Samantha provides in-person therapy at the It Begins Within Healing Center Sarasota office and offers virtual sessions to clients located anywhere in the State of Florida. Virtual therapy is delivered through a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform and is clinically effective for the majority of presenting concerns Samantha treats, particularly with teens and families. For very young children and for active trauma processing using EMDR, in-person sessions are typically recommended. Samantha and the family decide together what format will work best during the initial consultation.