Samantha Houda, LCSW
Experienced mental health professional
Provides online counseling through Octave
At a glance
Samantha is an experienced, licensed Mental Health Professional who specializes in affordable online therapy offered through our partner, Octave.
- Great news, Samantha is accepting new clients!
- She is normally fully-booked.
- Speaks English
- Offers Telehealth visits
- Licensed in California
More about Samantha
- 16 years' experience
- Female
- LCSW
As a feedback-informed, goal-oriented therapist, I would use the cognitive behavioral skill of exploring thoughts and feelings and how those may shape unhealthy/unwanted beliefs about themselves or others. My initial approach is to create an open and comfortable atmosphere by using open ended questions, engaging, having the client share about what’s important in their lives, their culture, background, hobbies. From there, explore reasons for coming into therapy - longstanding struggles, more recent/situation, history of trauma, are we in a crisis and are there safety concerns. This helps gauge the treatment interventions.
In the meantime, build their internal resources/strengths by teaching distress tolerance. I believe in the practice of mindfulness and offer resources for clients to use in between sessions along with other homework/activities. We will come up with a treatment plan with goals and objectives with homework/activities and check in on progress at each session.
Two common approaches I practice are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Solution-focused therapy.
CBT helps clients increase their awareness of the trigger for their thinking patterns and the works to identify the impact that has on their beliefs, feelings of oneself/others, their behaviors and subsequently how this interfere’s with their relationships/interpersonal experiences. We will practice various skills to help catch unhelpful thinking patterns and learn ways to correct that way of thinking and minimize distress. I also teach and guide meditations that can and are encouraged to be practiced in between sessions.
Solution-focused therapy helps clients make changes by constructing solutions rather than focusing on problems. I find solution focused to be future-oriented approach for formulating, motivating, achieving, and sustaining desired behavioral change.
Specialties
Treatment Approaches
- Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
- Motivational Interviewing
- Prolonged Exposure
- Psychodynamic
- Relational
- Solution-Focused
- Strengths-Based
- Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Licenses
Samantha Houda's National Provider Identifier (NPI) is 1154659050.
- LCSW · California · 64860 · Renews October 2026
About online therapy
- Affordable.
- Get high-quality therapy without the high price. Clients pay an average of $28 per session with in-network insurance.
- Convenient.
- Schedule sessions that fit your life, not the other way around.
- Available now.
- No long waitlists. Get matched with a licensed therapist and start therapy as soon as your benefits are confirmed.
Octave makes evidence-based therapy easier to access and easier to afford. Whether you're seeking support for anxiety, depression, stress, relationships, or life transitions, Octave connects you to thoroughly vetted therapists that can meet on your schedule, take insurance, and care about helping you find clarity.
It works: 74% of Octave clients see meaningful improvement with their depression and anxiety symptoms in three months, and outcomes consistently exceed national averages.
Reviews for Samantha Houda
Frequently asked questions
Does Samantha Houda offer telehealth visits?
Yes. Samantha Houda works with clients by exchanging messages, chatting live, speaking over the phone, or video conferencing based on what works for the client at that particular time.
What language(s) does Samantha Houda speak?
Samantha Houda speaks English.
How many years of experience does Samantha Houda have?
Samantha Houda has 16 years of experience.
Where is Samantha Houda licensed to practice?
Samantha Houda is licensed to practice in California.
Does Samantha Houda accept clients outside of the United States?
No, Samantha Houda does not accept clients outside of the United States.
Is online therapy as effective as in-person therapy?
Numerous studies support the effectiveness of online platforms in facilitating life changes. For instance, research published by JMIR Publications, conducted by teams from the University of Berkeley, UCSF, and SF General Hospital, found that "users of [a major teletherapy service] experienced significantly reduced depression symptom severity after engaging with the platform."
What treatment approaches does Samantha Houda offer?
Samantha Houda offers clients Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Trauma-Focused Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Attachment-Based Therapy, and Internal Family Systems.
How can I communicate with Samantha Houda?
Samantha Houda can be engaged in any one of four ways: (1) Exchanging messages, (2) chatting live, (3) speaking over the phone, or (4) video conferencing. You can use different ways at different times as you wish, based on your needs, availability, and convenience.
How do I get started with Samantha Houda?
Just tap the CHAT NOW button or tap here: A new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.
Mental health conditions are real, common, and treatable.
And recovery is possible.
When you tap BOOK NOW a new window will open and you'll be directed to Octave's website to start your therapy journey. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.