SAMANTHA REITZ, AMFT

Samantha is a trauma-focused therapist who specializes in employing EMDR, Prolonged Exposure, and DBT-Prolonged Exposure therapies to facilitate healing and recovery for individuals affected by trauma. Her approach is grounded in creating a safe and supportive environment where clients can explore their experiences and emotions at their own pace. By integrating these evidence-based techniques, including an attachment-focused approach to EMDR, Samantha helps clients process traumatic memories, reduce distressing symptoms, and develop effective coping strategies. Her goal is to empower individuals to reclaim their lives and foster resilience, guiding them toward a path of healing and personal growth.

Additionally, as a DBT therapist specializing in borderline personality disorder and high-risk impulsive behaviors, Samantha is dedicated to helping clients navigate the complexities of their emotions and relationships. She focuses on building skills that enhance emotional regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and distress tolerance, which are crucial for managing the intense challenges associated with BPD. Working collaboratively with clients, she identifies and addresses the patterns that impact their safety and overall well-being, fostering a deeper understanding of their experiences. Through a supportive and structured environment, Samantha aims to empower individuals to create meaningful changes in their lives, improve their relationships, and cultivate a greater sense of stability and fulfillment.

Samantha sees adolescents and adults and provides individual and group therapy at TLA.

Samantha earned her Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Clinical Psychology from San Jose State University and holds a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Psychological Brain Sciences and a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Sociology from the University of California Santa Barbara.