Be bold, be brave enough to be your true self.
-Queen Latifah
Be bold, be brave enough to be your true self.
-Queen Latifah
My name is Samantha Lwali-Welsh, and I am a Mental Health Counselor practicing in the Vancouver, Washington area and surrounding community. I am passionate about working with individuals and couples and supporting people through meaningful life transitions.
I bring over ten years of experience as a victim and witness advocate, work that strongly shaped my decision to pursue counseling and engage with people on a deeper, more reflective level. This background informs my ability to sit with complexity, uncertainty, and change with care and steadiness.
As a woman of color and an immigrant, I value being part of thoughtful, positive change within my community. My approach centers on listening, understanding, and helping people find clarity, balance, and self-connection in ways that feel authentic to them.
Outside of my work, I enjoy listening to music, hiking, spending time with friends and family, and reading contemporary and fantasy novels. I look forward to getting to know you and hope to create a space where you feel heard, supported, and encouraged as we work together.
I graduated from Drury University with a Bachelor of Arts in Advertising and Public Relations, as well as a minor in Psychology. I attained my Master of Counseling from Oregon State University, and I am currently licensed to practice Clinical Mental Health Counseling in the state of Washington.
My experience as an LMHC has been shaped by working with a wide range of people, each with their own unique challenges. Supporting individuals and families through trauma—whether it's abuse, homicide, or the struggles of adjustment—has given me a deep understanding of the healing process and the resilience needed to recover.
I bring both personal and professional experience working with immigrants as they navigate the emotional and relational challenges of adjusting to a new culture. I also have professional experience supporting individuals who have been impacted by the justice system, which informs my understanding of stress, uncertainty, and the need for safety and trust during difficult life experiences.
My approach is trauma-informed and influenced by Internal Family Systems (IFS), allowing space to explore experiences with curiosity, compassion, and respect for each person’s internal world. I enjoy working with individuals and couples who are seeking insight, connection, and meaningful change at their own pace.