Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha Thomas.
Hi Samantha, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Becoming a mental health counselor was an unexpected twist in my story. Growing up, there was a tug-of-war of sorts for me between person-centered, relational work and quantitative fields such as math and science. Career assessments spit out “aerospace engineer” at the same rate as “psychologist” for career recommendations. At 18, I chose physics. Later, in my last year of undergrad studying physics and critical thought and inquiry with a minor in math, I realized I enjoyed the one-on-one tutoring – untangling students’ inaccurate and limiting self-perceptions and empowering them – more than my quantitative research. “Darn!” I thought, “I had put my all into this bachelor’s degree.” After some soul-searching, I decided to attend a master’s in counseling program after completing my bachelor’s degree.
During my education in counseling, I was floored to discover that so many aspects of my undergrad education translated into therapy. Yalom, a father of psychotherapy, would say “it’s all grist for the mill.” Relationally, my clients and I construct shared models of their inner worlds: experiences, assumptions, emotions, webs of relationships, personal evolution over time, intersectional identities and roles, parts of themselves they are proud to show and parts they instinctively wish to hide. The complexity of each person’s inner world is awe-inspiring, and it feels like such an honor to be invited to metaphorically step across the threshold to compassionately and intentionally explore and tend to that world together.
Today, I get to work with adult individuals and couples I genuinely enjoy and respect in a private practice setting in Olathe. My therapeutic approach is person-centered and combines my clients’ expertise on their owns lives and experiences with my expertise in the area of counseling.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Being a therapist reminds me, in many ways, of distance running which is one of my hobbies and self-care strategies. The therapeutic growth process often requires struggle and the breaking down of muscle – or revisiting and challenging prior assumptions and personal patterns – before building new strength or stamina. This can be painful to experience and to witness.
While my clients are often experiencing this struggle and growth cycle with me, I am also experiencing this with them. I am impacted by each person who shares their inner world and even their experiences of our shared world more generally. Now, their worldviews, intersectional identities, and shared humanity are integrated into my experience of the world and even of myself. When news stories or laws impact current or former clients, I work to see these through their eyes as well as my own. It’s a more complicated and nuanced way of experiencing life, but I believe the struggle is worth the growing sense of compassion and shared humanity.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I specialize in working with people with a history of trauma, highly self-aware people who feel emotionally stuck, and neurodivergent folks and former gifted kids. This also includes working with couples navigating each of these as well as other relational distress.
I feel honored to have been named The Best Marriage Counselor in Olathe, Kansas for 2025 by Quality Business Awards, but I feel most proud seeing the people I meet with experience relief and resilience.
More technically, my therapeutic approaches are called Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy for individuals and Emotionally Focused Therapy for couples.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
So much of my growth and success is woven together by shared experiences with others. Clients and their stories are a substantial part – which for obvious reasons cannot include names – but deserves to be listed first. Professional mentors span across my education and training. I’ll name them chronologically below.
For undergrad, I’m deeply grateful for William Jewell College’s emphasis on critical thought and interdisciplinary education. Physics professors Dr. Baker, Dr. Bunton, and Dr. Sherer challenged and believed in me. Dr. Martin enthusiastically and patiently taught me math. Dr. Wesley expanded my worldview. Professor Rima taught me to read and write in a new language as well as about her religion, culture, and experiences of systemic discrimination.
For graduate school and after, many professors from MNU come to mind: Dr. Frye, Dr. Moore, Dr. Johnson, and Dr. Goris. Supervisors include Dr. Frye and Rebecca Chow. Countless peers have offered wise words, consultation, and invaluable feedback. It would be impossible to name them all here, but you know who you are.
In my personal life, my husband, Bryan, has been my biggest cheerleader and teammate. He has been with me through all the phases of evolution and has chosen to grow with me. I’m also deeply grateful to my family and friends for their support. I truly believe we heal and grow in community and feel lucky to have a wonderful one.
Pricing:
- $150/hour for individual counseling
- $150/hour for couples counseling
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sthomascounseling.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063577960412
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-thomas-3a6127b4/
- Other: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/samantha-jane-thomas-olathe-ks/346703
