ABOUT SAMANTHA HERRICK,
I am a graduate of The Pennsylvania State University’s Counselor Education and Supervision PhD program, with concentrations in Clinical Mental Health and Rehabilitation Counseling education. I hold a master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling and Disability Studies from Springfield College. I am a Licensed Associate Counselor in the State of New Jersey, a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, National Certified Counselor, and an Approved Clinical Supervisor.
I have worked and taught in human services and counseling for over 20 years. My first work experience was as an employment specialist and later as a employment program manager serving people with significant disabilities. Post-master’s, I worked with students with disabilities in higher education. Before returning for my doctoral degree, I was an Access Specialist at the State University of New York at New Paltz. As a doctoral candidate, I served as an advisor to the undergraduate program in Rehabilitation and Human Services, and worked as a Disability Counselor in the Office for Disability Services. In addition, I provided one-to-one clinical mental health counseling services with the Penn State University’s CEDAR clinic.
I have been a professor of counselor education with Rutgers University for over a decade, as such my duties have always included teaching the knowledge-based counseling courses, as well as providing both group and individual clinical supervision of master’s level counselors-in-training. I have had the honor of teaching and influencing over 300 counselors-in-training; now working as professional counselors nationwide. My area of research interest and work as a professional continuing education trainer is Autism Spectrum Disorder. As such my passion is helping adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families with the complexities of navigating a society with little understanding of Autism.
APPROACH TO THERAPY
As a counselor, my work is most heavily informed by the integration of three counseling philosophies that are considered humanistic in nature. The counseling philosophy that most informs my work is Cognitive-Behavioral Theory. As a Cognitive- Behavioral counselor, I do not believe that insight alone equals change. I believe that our thoughts are the catalyst to our emotional reactions and subsequent life consequences. To reshape these thoughts is to change how we feel about life events, and in turn, provide for more positive outcomes.
Additionally, I recognize the heavy influence of Person-Centered counseling theory in my counseling. As a practitioner influenced by Person-Centered counseling theory, I believe a warm, welcoming, non- judgmental environment for my clients to be extremely therapeutic. Finally, I believe in the powerful impact of meaning- making in counseling, and therefore, also acknowledge the influence of Existential theories of counseling in my work.
Although distinct, these theories of counseling share certain humanistic similarities that I espouse in the counseling relationship. Most importantly, I believe that individuals are not predetermined to certain circumstances, successes or failures, as an artifact of their past. They are capable of change and are the most influential authors of their destiny.
In addition to my passion for helping individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, as Cognitive Behavioral Therapist, I am also adept at counseling individuals with Depression and Anxiety; as well as other major life transitions. Lastly, I am an LGBTQ+ affirming counselor.
EDUCATION
- Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision, The Pennsylvania State University,
- M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling and Disabilities Studies, Springfield College,
- B.A. in Communications, University of Rhode Island,
LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS:
- Licensed Professional Counselor(LPC-NJ)
- Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC)
- National Certified Counselor (NCC)
- Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS)
