Samantha White

Who I Am

My name is Samantha White, MS, LPC, and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a decade of experience in helping people with chronic depression, anxiety, and trauma. Let me start by saying that I’m glad you are here, considering counseling. Taking the first steps towards better mental health can be scary!

I’m here to help you by offering counseling online throughout the state of Missouri and in person in Columbia. So wherever you are in this state, we can find a way to work together.

Who I Work With

I specialize in treating those who have difficult relationships with their body and food (eating disorders/disordered eating), those who have experienced trauma or are experiencing anxiety (PTSD, GAD, etc.), and those who struggle with chronic suicidal thoughts.

I work with youth to adults, as well as have experience working with an array of first responders. 

My ideal client is a young adult or adult who has been spinning their wheels and is now looking for evidence-based treatment that leads to feeling freedom in their day- to-day life. 

How I Work

My approach to therapy is both compassionate and honest. I strive to create a space where you feel deeply understood while also helping you move meaningfully toward the goals that matter most to you. Sometimes that means offering gentle encouragement, and other times it means being thoughtfully direct in ways that help create insight and growth.

I also believe humor has an important place in the counseling process. I’m fluent in sarcasm when the moment calls for it, and laughter is often part of the work we do together. Therapy can be challenging, but it does not always have to feel heavy.

For individuals nervous about a first-time therapy appointment, I want you to know that calling and showing up to that first appointment is the hardest and bravest step you can make. You’ve got this, and I am here to help you the rest of the way.

Treatment Approach & Modalities I Use

In serving others through counseling, it is important to me that we are utilizing well-researched therapy and interventions to best meet your needs. 

One of the evidence-based treatments I’m trained in is Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE), an approach used to treat PTSD and trauma-related symptoms. Through this process, you may experience significant healing and symptom reduction in just a few months. PE can be especially helpful if you’ve found that other trauma therapies weren’t the right fit for you or if you prefer an approach with less emphasis on writing assignments.

Another approach I often use is Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), which can help you strengthen emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and relationship skills. I’ve seen this approach help people move from simply surviving to truly thriving, especially if you’re struggling with intense emotions, hopelessness, or suicidal thoughts.

I also value Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as an important part of my work. When I talk about CBT, I’m not just referring to talk therapy, but to an evidence-based approach that helps you understand how your thoughts, emotions, and actions show up in your daily life. Together, we gently explore and challenge these patterns, supporting your growth and deeper understanding.

My Background & Training

I graduated from John Brown University with a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2017. I have been a therapist for about a decade now and have spent most of that time working at a clinical mental health center in Joplin, Missouri. While there, I focused on the treatment of eating disorders, personality disorders, trauma, and chronic anxiety or depression. In the past few years, I have moved to mid-Missouri, where I have been a professor teaching other counselors in the classroom and supervising them as they obtain their licensure. 

When it comes to furthering my learning after graduate school, I have completed the following training and more:

• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBTmo certified)

• Prolonged Exposure Therapy

• Level 1 Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy

• Over 40+ hours of continuing education in treating eating disorders. 

What this means for you is that my training covers a wide spectrum in order to be able to serve you better. 

A Little About Me

When I am not at work, you can often find me in my backyard, drinking coffee, working on my garden, or playing with my dog, Charlie. If I am not there, then my husband and I have likely packed up the dog and gone camping. I married my high-school sweetheart, and we are coming up on our 20th anniversary soon. 

Why I Became a Therapist

Often, as therapists, we come into this field because we, too, have looked for similar help as you may be looking for right now. For me, I grew up in a family in which mental health struggles were ever present, and due to this, in college, I felt called to not repeat those same mistakes. Now I get the privilege of helping break generational trauma for others as well.

What I Believe About Therapy

My core beliefs about therapy are:

• Difficult situations are often learning opportunities we grow from. 

• Therapy is not meant to last forever.

• A good and trusting relationship with your therapist is one of the biggest factors in your success in therapy. 

Ready to Get Started?

I see clients in person at our Columbia location and via telehealth throughout Missouri. To get started, call 573-328-2288.

You deserve to move forward with your life. You can be the version of yourself you wish to be. I’m just here to support you on that journey.