Finding a therapist that clicks with your needs can be challenging.
Your Therapist
Therapist
Sylvia Samy, LCSW
My interest in psychology began after watching the movie "A Beautiful Mind," which introduced me to the complexities of schizophrenia. Growing up, mental health was rarely discussed in my family or education, making the portrayal of such a disorder fascinating to me. I was captivated by how the mind can create an alternate narrative distinct from reality. Initially, I pursued a degree in computer science for its stability. However, during my first year, I enrolled in a Psychology 101 course, and it was a transformative experience. I soon realized that human behavior is both predictable and changeable, and I was eager to learn how professionals can help clients find peace and stability.
My undergraduate years were some of the most enriching of my academic life, as I delved into human development, behavior, and various theoretical perspectives that shaped my practice today. I firmly believe everyone deserves to feel good most of the time. While we cannot eliminate life’s challenges, we can learn to navigate them in healthier ways, reducing feelings of exhaustion, anxiety, and depression. I possess the tools and skills to guide you in improving your life because you deserve to thrive. Therapy is an investment in yourself, and I encourage you to start this journey today for a better tomorrow.
As I progressed in my studies, my focus shifted from schizophrenia to trauma, culminating in my thesis on the effects of trauma on families. I specialize in anxiety, depression, and marital counseling, helping numerous individuals and couples achieve the harmony necessary for healthy relationships.
My practice incorporates various therapeutic models, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), person-centered therapy, solution-focused therapy, psychodynamic approaches, among others. My aim is to work collaboratively with you to identify and achieve the goals that matter most to you, tailoring the treatment process to meet your unique needs.
Here’s a bit about my professional background: throughout my career, each position I’ve held has equipped me with a distinct set of skills that enhance my ability to aid clients today.
Education:
Psychology BA, California state University Northridge
Master of social work, California state university San Bernardino
Experience:
UCR School of Medicine, Behaviorist instructor
Currently working with first year medical students at UCR as a behaviorist instructor.
Behavioral health therapist, KAISER PERMANENTE MEDICAL CENTER
Telehelath pioneer with Kaiser’s new program Virtual Medical Center.
Responsible for all aspects of clinic functioning, including direct clinical/administrative supervision, collaboration between therapists and psychiatrists/marketing team, clinical programming, hiring and development of therapists and supervisor and program development
Designed and implemented an evidenced-based protocol for crisis management and implementation across all 13 regions
Work with a multidisciplinary team to set protocol for Behavioral Health within the Virtual Medical Center.
Work with patient’s virtually to provide exceptional mental health services within the organization.
Respond/triage to center needs, crisis calls as needed
Consistently ensure the delivery of high quality services meeting financial, operational and quality objectives
Behavioral health therapist, KAISER PERMANENTE MEDICAL CENTER
Conducted group, individual, and family therapy with substance abusing mentally ill (dual diagnosis), actively psychotic and Axis II adults and. Utilized DBT/CBT framework. Completed psychosocial assessments, treatment plans, DSM diagnoses, and regularly assessed for suicidality/homicidality. Accountable for all clinical and case management duties, clinical collaboration with utilization review team, and providing discharge resources.
Supervised Master's level interns, providing daily training, weekly formal supervision, student evaluations. Served as a liaison between MSW/MFT programs and CSU San Bernardino.
Owner, Sylvia Samy Counseling Center
Clinical Social Worker/Psychotherapist Conducted individual, marital, and family therapy with adults, adolescents, and children. Practice consisted mainly of PTSD/C-PTSD trauma survivors and self-injuring/chronically suicidal clients with borderline personality disorder. Utilized dialectical behavioral therapy with self-injuring clients and was responsible for frequent crisis management. Provided contractual work to social service agencies in the areas of psychotherapy with adults and adolescents, clinical training, clinical supervision, and program development. Counseled clients and helped them gain access to resources while addressing assisting them in confronting issues adversely affecting their lives. Conducted evaluations and assessments and devised treatment strategies. Assisted individuals and groups in identifying self-defeating behaviors and coached them through changes that promoted personal growth and improve teamwork. Managed client relations, developing rapport and trusting relationships to facilitate progress. Supported clients with the development of individual treatment plans and maximized their participation in the process.
Mental health counselor, Redlands University
provide developmental and educational support to students, or other clients of the college, in the form of short-term personal counseling. Conduct intake interviews, case recording and test interpretation that covers such situations as: treating emotional discomfort, developmental educational skills, academic advising, assisting students with college major and career choice, coping with problems of anxiety, assisting in obtaining treatment for seriously disturbed students, providing crises intervention and group counseling services for a similar variety of student concerns.
To design and implement effective outreach programs to help students meet some of their developmental educational needs. Related issues include the need to control anxiety, to learn to communicate effectively, to plan for the future, to study effectively, to become appropriately assertive and to cope with mood changes.
Experience and competence in the administration and interpretation of assessment instruments relating to personal, career and educational issues.
Maintain professional and effective relationships with students, faculty, administration and staff in order to assist students with the various aspects of registration, curriculum requirements, testing, challenge exams, career development and transfer.
To be responsible for the development of counseling support programs such as the maintenance of test files and the development and maintenance of career resource materials.
To thoroughly understand the Financial Aid Appeals as it relates to Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policies and procedures in order to effectively explain them to students who are in violation of federal SAP guidelines and inform students about necessary corrective actions required.
Clinical therapist, San bernardino County FSP program
Completed a thorough psychosocial assessment on all assigned patients within timeframes within policy and program guidelines. Included all relevant psychosocial history and available collateral information. From assessment, develops conclusions and treatment recommendations. Developed and updated treatment goals and interventions based on individual assessed needs and documents on the treatment plan. Included patient and family input in the development of the treatment plan as appropriate. Goals and interventions were individualized, specific, measurable and time-framed. Recognized exhibition of the features of a potentially suicidal and/or homicidal patient and follows through appropriately to provide for the immediate safety of the patient and the appropriate level of care. Committed to increasing knowledge of cultural competency by being active participants of Cultural Competency Subcommittees. Provided individual therapy to tier 2 and 3 clients. Communicated with psychiatrists and clinics, to keep everyone up to date with clients’ needs
Clinical therapist, LOMA LINDA BEHAVIORAL MEDICAL CENTER
Clinical Therapist Conducted group, individual, and family therapy with substance abusing mentally ill (dual diagnosis), actively psychotic and Axis II adults and adolescents in an intensive outpatient/partial hospitalization program. Utilized DBT/CBT framework. Completed psychosocial assessments, treatment plans, DSM diagnoses, and regularly assessed for suicidality/homicidality. Accountable for all clinical and case management duties, including treatment staffing with psychiatry department, clinical collaboration with utilization review team, and providing discharge resources. Supervised Master's level interns, providing daily training, weekly formal supervision, student evaluations. Served as a liaison between MSW/MFT programs and Loma Linda. Managed client relations, developing rapport and trusting relationships to facilitate progress. Collaborated with an interdisciplinary team of doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals.
Clinical therapist, Veterans court RIVERSIDE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH
Conduct court-ordered assessments with inmates and defendants with mental health issues, severe trauma and or substance abuse
Assess at-risk factors and develops a preliminary plan, involving the veteran and family or significant others, and performs an insightful assessment of serious and complicated cases involving psychiatric illness which may also include, catastrophic medical condition, dementia, traumatic brain injuries, and other high risks diagnoses.
Coordinate community-based services, including information and referral for additional services from other VA programs, other government programs and community agency programs. Provides comprehensive case management services to veterans is a part of ambulatory care, community agencies, and outreach programs.
Interviews the veteran and their family members or significant others to establish facts about the veteran's situation, presenting problems and their causes, and the impact of such problems on the veterans functioning and health.
Provides referral, rehabilitation, and program admission activities that include referral to VA medical and mental health inpatient and outpatient treatment.
Interview consumers and obtain collateral information from relatives and all necessary parties to develop a comprehensive biopsychosocial assessment, including diagnostic formulation and recommendations regarding suitability for treatment within Veterans Treatment Court setting