Samantha Villegas, Master’s Level Clinical Social Worker   

Samantha is pursuing a Master’s degree in Social Work at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, driven by a deep commitment to mental health advocacy. Her experience as a Community School Coordinator has provided firsthand insight into the academic, social, and emotional challenges students face—particularly those stemming from poverty, trauma, and unmet mental health needs. Through initiatives such as wellness programs, resource partnerships, and incentive-based support, she has seen the transformative impact of holistic family engagement. These experiences inspired her to pursue clinical training, with the goal of moving beyond coordination to directly provide counseling, support, and advocacy for individuals and families. 

Samantha’s therapeutic approach is grounded in her social work background and a strong commitment to evidence-based, relational practices. She specializes in family systems theory, drawing from extensive experience working with children and families, where challenges are best understood within the broader context of family and community dynamics. She also incorporates Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for its structured, goal-oriented methods, and Motivational Interviewing (MI), which aligns with her strengths in collaboration, empowerment, and meeting clients where they are. Additionally, Samantha integrates Trauma-Informed Care and Strengths-Based approaches to support resilience and healing in individuals who have experienced systemic and personal adversity. Together, these modalities inform a holistic, client-centered practice tailored to the unique needs of everyone. 

With Samantha, clients will experience a warm and collaborative environment where they feel safe to share their experiences without judgment. Samantha is inspired by helping clients recognize their resilience while also addressing the challenges they face. 

Samantha Villegas, Master’s Level Clinical Social Worker, is under the clinical supervision of Stefanie Plitt, LCSW-C (#16101).