Samantha Napoli

At the impressionable age of thirteen, I remember listening to my mother and sister talk about their interest in psychology. They mentioned that being a therapist sounded interesting, and without a pause I asked, “Why would you want to listen to other people’s problems?” They both laughed and pointed out that I already did that regularly for my family and friends. As the years passed, I noticed that friends and family regularly shared their challenges with me and I enjoyed being able to help them! Sometimes this called for advice, insight, a kind word or even a dose of truth, and that’s what therapy is all about! From then on, I knew that I wanted to create a career focused on helping others and I directed my career path to fulfill that dream. I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, a Master’s degree of Arts in Counseling, and acquired my professional license for mental health counseling. Since then, I have worked in a psychological services center, as a Middle School counselor, and as an adolescent mental hospital therapist. For the last 5 years I have been working with patients with co-occurring substance abuse and mental health issues. This range of exposure has taught me much about what motivates people, what hinders them, and how I can help them to achieve their goals. That is what brought me here, those were my lemons. What are yours?