Meet the Co-Founders: Samantha Waldman, LMHC
Introducing… Samantha Waldman, LMHC
Hello! I’m a New York state licensed therapist and proud co-founder of Bridges Mental Health. I currently work as a therapist and clinical supervisor in private practice and specialize in the areas of Asian and biracial identity exploration, transracial adoption, acute and complex trauma, and relationship issues and codependency.
How do you care for yourself?
My self-care routine is fluid and changes depending on what my needs are at the time. Right now I’m caring for myself by spending time with and (finally!) hugging my loved ones, long walks, my own therapy, and my ceramics practice.
Tell us something about you that we wouldn’t find on your PsychToday profile…
I love to laugh generally in life, and I especially love to laugh in session with my clients. Humor, celebration, and levity is a big part of my therapy practice, and a huge source of joy for me in this work.
How does your identity impact your work?
Learning about intersectionality was one of the most important and healing experiences of my life. Growing up as a biracial, Japanese American, Jewish woman in an overwhelmingly white space, I often felt misunderstood and isolated in my experiences, even among communities of people that shared some of my identities.
I always work to integrate the intersectional identities of my clients into our work and explore how they impact their life experiences. I also acknowledge my own identities in the room to examine how our differing or shared identities impact our work together.
What do you think people should know before beginning therapy?
Be gentle with yourself. Confronting our difficult experiences and personal struggles can be painful and emotionally taxing, and I often tell those who are new to therapy that at the beginning you may feel worse before you start to feel better. Trust yourself, allow yourself to rest, and know that just showing up in the beginning is enough.
What is bringing you joy right now?
Many innocent plants were lost along the way, but after some years of trial and error I have finally figured out how to take care of my houseplants. Caring for them and sharing my propagated plant pups with friends has been a big source of joy for me recently.
Is there anything else you would like to share with us?
I just want to thank you all for being a part of the Bridges community! Working on Bridges with Christie and Diana has been an incredibly meaningful experience for me, and I am so honored that others continue to share in this community alongside us.
Samantha Waldman (she/hers) is a Bridges Co-Founder and psychotherapist practicing in NYC. Learn more about her and her work on her Bridges Therapist Directory Listing, and read more from her on the blog.