Samantha Waldrop, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
SPECIALTIES:
Anxiety, Depression, Emotion Regulation, Interpersonal Effectiveness, Distress Tolerance, Grief/Loss, Life transitions, relationship issues, LGBT friendly, as well as assisting with developing resiliency in relation to Mental Health
TREATMENT INTERVENTIONS:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT), Motivational Interviewing, Person-Centered Therapy, and Individual Resiliency Training
MY PASSION
I have been asked many times why I chose to become a therapist and there are multiple reasons on why I continue to do this type of work. I was introduced to the concept of psychology, and in relation to this “therapy”, at a young age. I was a voracious reader as I grew and always sought to know more about the world. My maternal aunt, who is a practicing mental health professional in Arizona, introduced me to the theories behind psychology and sparked my interest in the topic due to my want to understand others. My father, who was part of a low income, abusive household growing up, introduced me over time to the hardships that he suffered and demonstrated how childhood experiences, with little support, could cause an individual to falter in their mental stability. I found this difficult to understand and imagine as a child due to my want to be there for others. I saw how important mental health was back then for those who received assistance versus those who did not. From the experiences I was told by my father, and the knowledge I grew up with from my aunt, I knew I wanted to be a social support for individuals who did not have anyone in their corner.
Nowadays, I have immersed myself in this profession to assist others in their most vulnerable state and to show that they are not alone in their pain and suffering. I want to assist my patients with being validated and learning how to be their truest selves without the fear of judgement or rejection in a session. I strive to demonstrate unconditional regard and understanding for others and to assist individuals while they are going through hard times, no matter the issue.
BACKGROUND
I attended Columbia College in Columbia, SC where I received a BA in Psychology with a minor in Literary Studies. During my time at Columbia College, my love for psychology and assisting others grew to the point where I knew this would be my profession. I took every course that focused on psychology while attending Columbia College in hopes I could learn more and develop what I wanted to be in the future. Later, I was accepted to Francis Marion University where I received my Master’s in Science for Clinical Psychology. While attending Francis Marion University, I was heavily invested in community mental health; all my practicums and internship being completed with PeeDee Mental Health in Florence, SC. While at PeeDee Mental Health, I assisted with their first episode psychosis program which assisted with building resiliency for individuals who had suffered their first episode of psychosis. After graduating, I continued this work along with treating other individuals who suffered from chronic and severe mental illness as a mental health professional at the Beckman Center for Mental Health Services in Greenwood, SC for almost five years.
DEGREES AND PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Master of Science in Clinical Psychology (MS) degree from Francis Marion University (2017)
- BA in Psychology from Columbia College (2014)
Therapist in Columbia, SC; Counselor in Columbia, SC; Anxiety, Depression, Grief, Postpartum, Trauma & PTSD, Couples and Marriage, Counseling in Columbia, Irmo, Chapin, and Lexington, SC.