About Samanta

“As a Child & Adolescent Psychotherapist and Creative Counsellor, I combine my passion for the healing power of creativity along with a long-held commitment to the emotional, psychological and spiritual wellbeing of children. My practice is based on the Therapeutic Arts, a specialized area of mental health that uses various art materials and the creative process to explore emotions, reduce anxiety, increase self-esteem and resolve emotional conflicts. Within this context, art is not used as a diagnostic tool but as a medium to address emotional issues which may be causing confusion or distress.  My approach is particularly beneficial for children who may struggle to express themselves verbally.   “

Qualifications

• Parent Coaching (2020)  – Priscilla Bacon ‘Calmer Easier Happier Parenting’
• Conscious Parenting (2020) – Dr Shefalli, MindValley
• Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (2019) – MSBR, Midhurst, West Sussex
• Advanced Diploma Therapeutic Arts + Diploma in Child Counselling (2017) – Institute for the Arts in Therapy & Education
• BA English / BFA Fine Arts (1992) – Tufts University / School of Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, USA

Key Experience

I have set up Nurture Groups within primary school settings, for children presenting with significant attachment disorders and early childhood trauma and currently support neurodiverse children and adolescents as a School Counsellor within a specialist school setting. My passion for supporting well-being has led me to design custom programs such as Family Mindfulness workshops and  Resilience Programs for primary age children. 

With the challenges that 2020 brought, in particular, family life coming to the fore, I have expanded my Parent Coaching skills to address the growing need and desire for many families to create a more harmonious home and calmer family life.  I offer skills, tools and tested strategies to support the Parents within the new dynamic of homeschooling and home working.

Special Interests

• Therapeutic Arts
• Dan Hughes’ P.A.C.E. Method (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, Empathy)
• Eco and Walk & Talk therapy
• Mindfulness
• Parent Coaching

Clinic Locations

• Petersfield

For all counselling and parenting services online appointments are also an option.

Samanta outside The Orchard

“Daily meditation and woodland running help keep me grounded.  I love to dance, to play the African drums and have recently rediscovered my childhood love of collage.  My family and I endeavour to live a mindful life through daily practices, sometimes we succeed and sometimes we don’t! We have always loved the South Downs and finally made the move a couple years ago, now appreciating the striking countryside and surrounding hills like never before. “