Sam O'Neill
Sam is a pre-licensed therapist, currently working towards her LPC. Her career in the therapeutic field began in 2014 upon graduating from Rowan University with a BA in Psychology & a minor in Art. With original hopes to become an Art Therapist, Sam’s focus soon shifted once she was hired as a clinical associate at Bancroft in their Lindens Neurobehavioral Program in Haddonfiled, NJ. While the main therapeutic approach for Bancroft’s programs was ABA and crisis management, Sam consistently observed (and felt, deeply) that giving children autonomy and control in a safe and compassionate environment, is the foundation on which all therapeutic interventions should sit. ​
Sam continued onto several different roles within Bancroft’s Lindens program before moving on to her next ventures in the field. She began grad school at Rider University for her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2016. During this time, she continued exploring different communities & populations of people to provide that safe and compassionate healing space for, in any capacity she was able to. First, as a community case manager, Sam would assist adults and families experiencing a variety of mental health challenges/crises with navigating the different systems (health systems, financial & social support systems, etc.) necessary to maintain their individual well-being.
In 2018, Sam began working at Rogers Behavioral Health at their PHP level of care in Philadelphia as a behavior specialist. She first worked with children & adolescents who had OCD, anxiety, and/or depression comorbid with Autism, and then with adults at the same level of care. Here, Sam provided intensive therapeutic support (CBT, DBT, ExRP, group & individual therapy) from a client-centered, neurodiversity affirming framework. She adapted those therapeutic models to meet the needs of her neurodiverse clients. This role also allowed Sam to tap back into that Art Therapy desire – often utilizing different avenues of creativity during the therapeutic process.
Since then, Sam has graduated from her Master’s program, worked in a couple different private practice settings, and is really excited to allow her array of experiences to influence the work she’ll be doing with the kiddos at Unfurling Littles! In the therapeutic space, Sam aims to meet her clients where they’re at, with zero expectations of how someone “should” be showing up in the world. She’s non-judgemental (seriously – she’s heard it all) & her belief that there’s no ‘one-size-fits-all’ type of therapy, really guides how she approaches working with each individual that steps into her office.
Outside of the office, Sam loves to paint, walk people’s dogs, spend time in nature, has an undying love for a really good breakfast sandwich, and she’s almost always redecorating something in her home just for fun.