Samantha Gando Sloan, MA, LMFT
I am a licensed therapist based out of SANTA MONICA AND Los Angeles, CA. I have been a practicing therapist since 2016.
I earned both my bachelor and master’s degree in clinical psychology. During my undergraduate years I assisted in running a Cognitive Behavior Research lab to understand underlying pinnings of human thoughts and behavior. During my graduate years, I worked as a behavior therapist, and provided individual and group treatment in home, school, and office settings.
I pursued my masters degree in clinical psychology in Los Angeles. After graduating with my masters, I was able to cultivate a wide range of clinical experience. I worked in non-profit organizations, community clinics, forensic environments, and private practices. I felt it was imperative to expand both my knowledge and experience as much as I could.
I continue to expand my learning and knowledge to this day and will continue to do so throughout my career. Having our learning plateau can be a detremint in this work, therefore it is crucial as a mental health professional that I stay up to date with the most effective and holistic treatment.
therapy style
My therapeutic orientation involves a 3 probe approach. I incorporate psychodynamic, which is understanding how our formative experiences have led to our beliefs about our self, others, and the world. The second probe I use is cognitive behavior, which allows us to concretely pinpoint and adapt unhelpful thought patterns, behaviors, and emotional responses. The final probe is Somatic therapy, here we bring in the ‘second brain,’ our body, into the work. We begin practicing body based exercises to help connect with and regulate our nervous system as well as develop a more sustainable physiological experience.
I strive to create a genuine, empathic, and collaborative therapeutic relationship. Our work is only effective if we have a relationship that is connected and safe. Together, we can work on healing and expanding the self to create a healthier future.