Licensed clinical social worker recordCalifornia
Samantha Lai, LCSW
California
Licensed Clinical Social Worker - Stress and Relationships
Continue with SamanthaCredentials check
- Credentials
- LCSW
- Licensed in California
- LCSW, licence 129843
- NPI
- 1184417552
- Experience
- 4 years
- Languages
- English
- Location
- California
These details come from information Samantha supplied to BetterHelp. A licence can be checked with the social work board of the state that issued it, and an NPI with the national registry.
AAbout
- ACT techniques
- DBT skills
- Client-centered work
About Samantha
Samantha Lai is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensed in California with four years of clinical experience. She focuses on stress, anxiety, relationship concerns, grief, depression, and coping with life changes. Samantha approaches sessions practically, helping people identify patterns and develop tools to manage day-to-day challenges.
She uses a mix of methods including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and client-centered techniques. In session she helps clients notice unhelpful thoughts, practice clearer communication, and build routines that reduce overwhelm. Work tends to be concrete and skill-focused rather than abstract.
Samantha pays close attention to how relationships and past experiences shape current feelings. She will talk through patterns that repeat in relationships and how they affect mood and stress. She also supports people processing loss and big life transitions with step-by-step coping strategies.
Sessions combine listening with practical exercises. Clients may practice emotion regulation skills, try behavioral experiments between meetings, or use acceptance strategies to reduce struggle with painful feelings. The emphasis is on small changes that fit into everyday life.
Her approach is collaborative: clients and she decide which tools to use based on goals. Samantha works in English and is based in California. Prospective clients should confirm current session options before booking and follow the site’s steps to schedule an initial appointment.
BHow sessions work
How Samantha’s approaches translate to online sessions
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on noticing thoughts and values. It helps people accept difficult feelings while taking small, value-driven actions to move forward. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) teaches concrete skills for regulating emotions, tolerating distress, and improving communication. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes listening and reflection so people feel heard and can find their own solutions.Finding the right approach is part of the work. Samantha will collaborate with each person to choose methods that fit their goals and preferences. She often blends techniques so sessions stay practical and relevant to daily life.
Session formats are not specified in the biography, so confirm current options before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions around work, childcare, or medical appointments. It can also allow shorter check-ins when a full session is not needed, and reduce travel time so people can use appointment time more efficiently. Licensed professionals can adapt ACT and DBT exercises to a virtual setting so skills practice and homework remain practical and usable between meetings.
CAreas of focus
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
4+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English
DQuestions
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she help with?
Samantha focuses on stress, anxiety, relationship issues, grief, depression, and coping with life changes.
What is her therapeutic style?
She combines Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and client-centered approaches to teach practical skills and guide conversation.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has four years of post-qualification experience working with the listed concerns.
What are her credentials and where is she licensed?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensed in California.
Does she offer sessions in other languages?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the U.S. work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How does pricing work?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to begin therapy?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, call 911, or call or text 988. More crisis numbers