About · Samantha Waldman, LMHC · New York
Meet Samantha Waldman
I'm Samantha Waldman, a licensed mental health counselor in Midtown Manhattan. If you've landed here, you're probably deciding whether I might be the right person to sit across from. This page is here to help you decide.
My story
Why I Do This Work
I'm an Asian American therapist, and identity has never been a side topic for me, in life or in the therapy room. So much of the hurt my clients carry comes from years of translating themselves: for family, for partners, for workplaces, sometimes even for previous therapists. I wanted to build a practice where that translating can finally stop, where culture, family expectations, and belonging are part of the work rather than a footnote to it.
The people I sit with are often the strong ones: the peacekeepers, the high-achievers, the ones everyone else leans on. My job is not to fix you, because you are not broken. It is to help you turn some of that care back toward yourself, and to make room for joy and humor while we do it.
In the room
How I Work
My approach is collaborative and humanistic. I believe you are the expert on your own life and the author of your story; my role is to facilitate movement toward your goals as you define them, with compassion, empathy, and authenticity. There is no one-size-fits-all in therapy, so the work is always tailored to you.
In practice, that means I draw on EMDR for trauma and stuck patterns, sandplay for what is hard to put into words, and DBT for skills you can use the same week. Alongside my core specialties, I help with difficult life transitions, anxiety, racial and cultural identity, women's issues, relationship issues, and recovery aftercare.
That sand tray in the photo is not decoration, by the way. It is a working tool, and yes, adults use it.
Credentials
Training and Credentials
- Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), New York
- EdM in Mental Health and Wellness Counseling, Teachers College, Columbia University
- MA in Psychological Counseling, Teachers College, Columbia University
- BA in Psychology and Criminal Justice, George Washington University
- Co-founder, Bridges Mental Health
Community
Beyond the Office
I'm a proud co-founder of Bridges Mental Health, an organization connecting Asian, Pacific Islander, and South Asian American communities with culturally-affirming care. It's the same belief that runs through my practice: everyone deserves a therapist who gets it.
Sessions & fees
Practical Details
- Office at 286 5th Avenue (NoMad), Midtown Manhattan, in-person Mon-Tue
- Virtual sessions the rest of the week, for anyone in New York
- Individual $225 · Couples $250 · Free 15-min phone consult
- Out-of-network; I provide superbills for possible reimbursement
Reaching Out Is the Hardest Step
The most difficult step in the healing process is often the very first one. Book a free 15-minute consult and let's see if we're a fit.