Sam Arbella
LCMHCA
Sam Arbella (she/her) is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate who earned a bachelor’s in psychology from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette with a minor in gender and sexuality studies, and later earned a master’s in clinical mental health counseling from NC State University. Her counseling experience began in interpersonal violence advocacy with clients who were experiencing domestic violence, sexual violence, stalking, human trafficking, and housing insecurity. She has also provided individual and group counseling at a community mental health center.
Growing up as one of the few hispanic kids in school, especially as someone who is Puerto Rican and Cuban, Sam was aware that her family’s structure and values were very different from her classmates. As a child and young adult living in south Louisiana, Sam experienced life as a 200 percenter. Being “100% American” and “100% Latina,” she had to navigate the values and experiences of both cultures in ways not previously modeled by family or peers. She felt “too Hispanic” for her friends rooted in southern culture; on the contrary, her family referred to her as “gringa,” implying “not Hispanic enough.” After listening to an eye-opening podcast about mental health and the Latine experience, Sam felt seen. She felt free to begin seeking to understand and reclaim her full identity with the support of a more welcoming and diverse community. Rather than feeling required to be one expected identity at a time, she seeks to honor all parts of herself and proudly integrates aspects of her cultural identity as a 200 percenter.
Sam takes a person-centered approach, seeking to empower her clients to actively engage in their therapeutic experience. Valuing her clients’ expertise, she actively involves them in a collaborative therapeutic process, ensuring that their voices are heard and respected. With a keen focus on resilience and personal growth, Sam helps clients identify their strengths and resources. Together they identify effective previous strategies that can transfer to present challenges. Sam is deeply committed to creating a therapeutic space where clients feel seen, heard, and validated. She understands that vulnerability is a strength, and encourages clients to embrace their authenticity. Sam creates a platform for clients to practice trusting their own voice, explore their inner strengths, and develop the skills necessary to live a vibrant and values-driven life beyond therapy.
As a clinician, Sam works with adult individuals who may be experiencing a variety of concerns often involving major life changes, anxiety, and stress. She addresses concerns around family of origin, parental relationships, childhood environment, inner-child work, sexual and domestic violence, and self-talk. She is also passionate about working with bicultural and minoritized clients as they explore their identity with a focus on intergenerational trauma, folx who are first and second generation immigrants, and the Latine experience.
