Samantha Hayes
Licensed Professional Counselor-Associate
&
Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor Associate
Supervised by Jeri Kay Kao, LPC-S
Meet Samantha! Samantha has a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Capella University. She also holds a Bachelor’s in Psychology with a minor in Counseling from the University of North Texas. Samantha is passionate about supporting clients with empathy, professionalism, and a commitment to their growth and well-being.
Experience and Expertise
Samantha brings years of experience in community mental health, having worked with both Denton and Tarrant County MHMR. Most recently, she has supported individuals in court-ordered substance abuse treatment, deepening her expertise in addiction, relapse prevention, and the connection between mental health and substance use. This role also strengthened her skills in motivational interviewing, group facilitation, and behavior change.
She is certified in AS+K and CALM suicide prevention trainings and uses a trauma-informed, strengths-based approach. Samantha has a special interest in working with veterans and individuals seeking support with self-esteem, relationships, and coping strategies.
Above all, she believes healing begins with a safe, supportive therapeutic relationship.
Therapeutic Approach
Samantha provides a safe, empathetic, and non-judgmental space for clients to explore their challenges and discover their own solutions. Her approach is collaborative and client-centered, focusing on building self-awareness and developing coping skills. In therapy with Samantha, you can expect her approach to provide a safe, empathetic, and trusted place to process through life’s hardest moments. These could be past, present, or potential situations that have/could cause stress for the client. Clients can expect to do activities that help them to gain better self awareness and have an objective soundboard for making decisions.
Samantha is skilled in a variety of therapeutic modalities, including:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helping clients identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors.
Compassion Focused Therapy: Cultivating self-compassion and understanding in the face of challenges.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Developing skills for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness.
Personal Interests
Outside of her work, Samantha enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter, especially engaging in water activities. She is also a proud pet parent to a cat and a dog.
A Note About Samantha’s Status
As a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate, Samantha is working under the close supervision of Jeri Kay Kao, LPC-S. This ensures that you receive high-quality care while benefiting from Samantha’s fresh perspective and dedication.
Frequently Asked Questions About Counseling in Decatur
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Counseling: A shorter-term approach focused on addressing specific issues.
Therapy: Typically a longer-term process that delves deeper into underlying patterns of thought, feelings, and behavior.
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Which is right for me?
The best approach, whether that is counseling or therapy, depends on your individual needs and goals. Contact me to schedule your free 15-minute consultation to see what will be the best option for you.
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I want to help you become your best self in the way that is most helpful for you. I provide both in person (face-to-face) sessions, as well as, online therapy.
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LPC vs. LPC Associate: A Quick Guide
Both LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) and LPC Associate are mental health professionals, but there's a key difference in their experience and supervision:
LPC: A Licensed Professional Counselor has completed a graduate-level counseling program and has met all the necessary requirements to practice independently. They have extensive experience in the field and are fully licensed to provide counseling services to clients.
LPC Associate: An LPC Associate is also a licensed mental health professional, but they are still in the process of gaining supervised experience. They must work under the direct supervision of a fully licensed LPC to ensure that they are providing high-quality care and adhering to ethical standards.
In essence, while both LPCs and LPC Associates are qualified to provide counseling services, LPCs have more experience and independence in their practice.
