Dr. Cindy Stewart-Sampson, LCSW

Dr. Cindy Stewart-Sampson, LCSW, draws on a multifaceted background in school social work, higher education, outpatient mental health, and adoption services to support individuals and families through difficult transitions. She works with people facing stress, anxiety, depression, grief, trauma and abuse, relationship and intimacy-related concerns, parenting challenges, addiction, anger, career strain, compassion fatigue, and ADHD, and she also addresses issues related to adoption and foster care, attachment, blended families, caregiver stress, commitment, communication, and control.

Her clinical practice is informed by a range of therapeutic methods, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Trauma-Focused Therapy. These approaches guide her work with bereavement, family dynamics, and the complexities that arise for special needs parents and caregivers.

Her background includes preparing psycho-social evaluations and home studies for adoptions, supporting students with exceptionalities and those in foster care, and offering consultation around disability qualifications. Personal experience with loss and parenting a child with a chromosome disorder has shaped her particular sensitivity to grief and special-needs caregiving, and she has spoken and written about grief awareness.

Faith plays an important role in her life as a personal guide, though she does not impose her beliefs on others. She values a hopeful, pragmatic outlook and aims to help people find meaning and resilience amid hardship. Her companion dog, Hope, is a meaningful presence in her life and a reminder of the healing influence animals can offer.