Sam Urena

AMFT#131160 Registered Associate Marriage Family Therapist

Supervised by Rachel Brewer LCSW#97626

You’re Safe Here.

Therapy can be a weekly reminder to slow down and listen. If we’re in a great deal of pain, it can be a place to tend to our wounds. If we’re in a place of confusion, it can be a place to remember who we are and who we are not — or discover ourselves for what feels like the first time. Therapy, over time, can teach us how to live and how to live well.

Hi! My name is Sam Urena (she/her)

I moved to Santa Barbara to attend UCSB and pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in English. It was through books, literature, and poetry that I learned my love for listening to the human experience. Later, I would receive my Master’s in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University for the same reason: my love for listening to the human experience. 

My approach is client-centered, meaning I believe that you are the ultimate expert of your life. I’m here to help you through providing empathy, perspective, and a non-judgemental space. Therapy is co-created and what I mean by that is: we are doing this together. I believe that the therapeutic relationship is the soil for healing and together we use evidence-based practices to water and nurture growth. I’m here to depathogize your pain and help you move through the realities of life with love, compassion, and wisdom.

Through my work for Pacific Pride Foundation, I am trained to provide LGBTQ+ affirming services. I also have experience as a substitute teacher which has enabled me to understand and experience what students’ daily lives are like. I work with students with classroom and homework anxieties along with the other challenges school can bring.

I love working with adults and teens on identity formation and development and I love working with couples on resolving conflict and growing in shared vision for life together

I specialize LGBTQ+ issues and in recovery from religious trauma. If you want to inquire more, I'm happy to provide a 15 minute phone consultation! I look forward to connecting with you!

Current Openings for telehealth and in person!