Inspiring Conversations with Samantha Ricard of Samantha Ricard Counseling, PLLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha Ricard.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve always known I wanted to help people. Even as a kid, I was the friend that others turned to when they were struggling. That instinct followed me into high school, where I volunteered with Big Brothers Big Sisters, and into college, where a few introductory psychology classes (and some major personal and family transitions) solidified my desire to become a therapist. Seeking my own therapy during that time helped me understand how powerful it can be to have support while navigating change.

Discovering the marriage and family therapy field felt like the perfect fit. I realized it would allow me to work with individuals, couples, and families while honoring how deeply our relationships and life experiences shape us.

After a few years in the field, beginning private practice became a very clear option. Although it was never a part of the plan, 2020’s circumstances pushed me to take a leap I hadn’t expected and it turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve made. Being the owner of my own therapy practice has given me the freedom to do work that feels deeply aligned with my values and to specialize in areas I’m truly passionate about.

Today, I’m especially proud of the work I do with clients navigating anxiety, and with LGBTQ+ individuals and queer couples. My own experience with anxiety allows me to connect with clients in a way that is both grounded and compassionate, and my training and lived experience working with LGBTQ+ clients goes beyond being simply “affirming.” I aim to provide thoughtful, informed, and meaningful support. Ultimately, my goal is to help people feel more confident in themselves, their relationships, and their goals.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
With every life transition there are bound to be some bumps along the way, but overall I’ve been incredibly fortunate. I have a wonderful community of colleagues who are also therapists in private practice, and several of them started down this path before I did. The information and lessons they shared were invaluable when I was first getting started. While there was anxiety in knowing the continuity of my business rested entirely on me, their guidance felt supportive and practical, and has helped me continue to serve clients for over five years now.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
My counseling practice focuses on helping individuals and couples feel more confident in themselves, their relationships, and the choices they’re making. I work primarily with clients who are thoughtful and motivated but feel stuck in patterns of anxiety, disconnection, or recurring conflict. Much of my work centers on improving communication, understanding emotional patterns, and building tools that actually fit clients’ real lives.

I specialize in working with anxiety and with LGBTQ+ clients, particularly queer couples. Many of my clients come to therapy after trying to figure it out on their own, only to find they’re having the same arguments or feeling overwhelmed despite their best efforts. What sets my practice apart is that my work is informed by both lived experience and advanced training. My own experience with anxiety allows me to meet clients with genuine empathy while also helping them step back and see the bigger picture. With LGBTQ+ clients, I go beyond being simply affirming. My work is grounded in education, experience, and an understanding of the unique relational and systemic stressors this community faces.

The newest thing I’m excited about is my training in Somatic Experiencing therapy, with certification coming in November 2026. SE is a gentle, body-based approach to healing trauma, stress, and anxiety. Rather than only talking about experiences, it helps clients notice and work with what’s happening in their body at a pace that feels safe and tolerable. There are very few somatic experiencing practitioners in my area, so I’m proud to be expanding access to this type of trauma-informed care.

Brand-wise, what I’m most proud of is that my work aims to feel down to earth and collaborative. My goal is to create a space where people feel understood and empowered to move through hard things with more clarity and confidence.

Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
When I was in kindergarten, I had half days on Fridays, and my dad was off work. He would pick me up from school, we’d grab McDonald’s for lunch, and then spend the afternoon together before everyone else got home. At the time, the best part was definitely the French fries (still a favorite to this day), but what really stands out to me now is the time we spent together. It made me feel important and valued that he intentionally carved out one-on-one time with me. As an adult, I understand how difficult it can be for parents to consistently find that kind of time with their kids, which makes those Friday lunch dates feel even more meaningful. I’m deeply grateful we both had that opportunity then, and I still cherish any one-on-one time I get with my dad now.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ricardcounseling.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SamanthaRicardCounseling/

Image Credits
Rachel Cox – Lumen Creative Co.