Samantha Straub

I am a licensed clinical professional counselor, and I am honored and energized by my work.  I treat adults and teens dealing with a wide range of issues including but not limited to anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, ADHD, low-self esteem, adjustment to life transitions, and family-related concerns. I recognize that coming to therapy, while potentially exciting, can sometimes be stressful or even scary for some.  Therefore, a focus in my work with clients is on relationship-building.  As a strengths-oriented therapist, I seek to galvanize my clients’ unique gifts and skill sets as resources for problem-solving.  I am lucky that my work allows me to bring some of my own strengths to the table, including honesty, curiosity, social intelligence, humor, and love, all of which I use to set the tone during therapy.  In session, I apply a variety of evidenced-based techniques to meet my clients’ needs, including cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, solution-focused therapy, psychoeducation, and motivational interviewing. In every circumstance, I consider my clients as individuals in context, taking into account environmental and cultural factors influencing their personal experiences.    


Professional Experience

A graduate of Swarthmore College with a B.A. in English literature and a teaching certificate in secondary English, I went on to pursue a Masters in Counseling and Human Relations from Villanova University.  My therapeutic work is informed by my long career in education during which I spent more than two and a half decades forging connections with and considering the strengths and needs of teens—both those who are struggling and those who are flourishing. Outside of Waypoint, I served as Chair of Upper School Counseling and Wellness at Severn School in Severna Park, from 2012 to 2023.  In that role, I worked daily with teens to promote their mental and emotional health.  As a career educator, I hold a vast knowledge of the developmental needs of adolescents and was recognized in 2018 as one of Anne Arundel County’s Outstanding Teachers by What’s Up Annapolis? Magazine.  I have created and implemented numerous programs for teens on a wide range of issues that include leadership training, conflict resolution, anxiety/stress management, study habits, healthy relationships, responsible use of technology, drug and alcohol prevention, and sexuality education.  I am able to integrate my knowledge of these topics, my clinical expertise, and my understanding of the current landscape in which teens are growing up into my work with adolescents.  

I also have a deep appreciation for the transition that parents of teens go through during their children’s adolescence, and I enjoy collaborating with and supporting parents as they adjust to the realities of raising a teenager. In addition to working at Waypoint, I own a parent coaching business called Teen Savvy Coaching (a Waypoint affiliate), in which I help parents of teens and tweens tame household chaos, improve communication skills, and strengthen the parent-child relationship.


Life Outside the Office

In 2012, I moved to Maryland with my husband and two kids–both now teenagers, having spent time previously living in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Delaware.  I love the beautiful views and access to nearby cities afforded by the Annapolis area.  As a former collegiate athlete, sports continue to play a big role in my life.  I enjoy swimming, yoga, and working out, and I now spend time cheering my own kids on from the sidelines of their games.  Other favorite pastimes include time with friends and family, reading, hiking, and being in nature.  

Sam is a dynamic educator who offers presentations and workshops on parenting solutions and leadership /empowerment training for teens.


Sam practices in the Severna Park office. Sam is a dynamic educator who offers presentations and workshops on parenting solutions and leadership /empowerment training for teens. Sam is an out of network provider.