Sam’s Background:

Sam is an experienced master’s level art psychotherapist with a strong teaching and education consultancy background. Her primary expertise lies in working with children, adolescents, and families, although she also provides therapy for individuals of all ages. She comes from a diverse, multicultural background and experienced multiple international relocations and school transitions during her formative years.

Sam received her high school diploma from The American School of Rio de Janeiro. She began her Bachelor of Fine Arts in San Francisco, completing her BFA (Hons) at Coventry University before training for her Art and Special Education teaching degree. Sam began her teaching career at a Coventry school for boys with emotional and behavioural difficulties, where she coordinated and delivered art and literacy. Following this, she became a senior teacher within the Pupil Referral Units before advancing to Specialist Teacher for the Warwickshire Education Authority. Driven by her passion for providing comprehensive therapeutic support to young people, Sam pursued a master’s in art Psychotherapy and worked at CAMHS. Upon graduating, Sam established and managed the Art Psychotherapy service for The Warwickshire Youth Justice Department.

In 2015, Sam returned to Australia, residing and working for several years in the remote Aboriginal community of Yuendumu, NT. While there, she supported the artists at Warlukurlangu Art Centre and aided the centre's manager with the dog rescue program. Upon her return to the Mornington Peninsula, Sam joined the Barefoot Therapists team, introducing art psychotherapy to the service.

Sam maintains her photography and art practice alongside her professional occupation, embracing creativity, self-expression and reflection.