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Samantha Severin

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
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Samantha Severin, MS, LMFT

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
(949) 386-7178

As a Christian Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with more than seven years of experience, I offer faith-based therapy to children, teens, adult individuals, couples, and families. I am trained in EMDR and am passionate about working with adoptive families, overwhelmed and burned-out mamas, individuals who have experienced spiritual abuse or trauma, couples and families struggling with relationship issues, and so much more. No matter what you’re going through, I offer a welcoming place where you can unload your burdens and take steps toward wholeness and peace in Christ.

Newport Beach - Tue, Thu & FriOnline Counseling - Mon, Tue, Thu & Fri

About

With compassion and grace, I offer a safe space where you can come exactly as you are in whatever shape you’re in. Our time together is a time for you to lay down the cares on your heart and dive deep into who you are and who God has created you to be. As a Christian therapist, my hope is that you will walk away from our sessions with a deeper trust in Jesus and peace that no matter what you may face in this world, it’s not the end. I would be honored to walk with you through your difficult seasons as we pursue God’s path for your life.

My Goal as a Christian Counselor

My hope is that through our time together, you will walk away with a sense of peace and wisdom about how to move forward with your life and the hope that this world is not our forever home. My number one goal as a Christian counselor is to be the hands and feet of Jesus in the therapy room. I want to decrease so that He can increase.

What I Offer in Christian Counseling

I offer a warm, positive environment where you can feel safe and free to share whatever is on your mind and heart. In our first few sessions, my goal is to get to know you on a deeper level and learn more about how you think and operate in the world. Once we are more familiar with one another, we will work together to identify goals for treatment. When we both have an idea of what we’re working toward, I will identify more specifically what tools will be helpful for us to reach that future goal.

My Approach to Christian Counseling

As a Christian therapist, I learned quickly that our hope in Jesus is the only hope there truly is. When I work with Christian clients, I can point them toward this hope. It doesn’t always solve everything, but it certainly leads to more peace. When I work with clients, I believe that it’s my job to point them back to that hope when hope seems lost.

Biography

Qualifications & Experience

I hold a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Azusa Pacific University and a Master of Science degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Fuller Theological Seminary. I have also completed training in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), Level 1 and 2 Restoration Therapy, Therapist Adoption Competency (TAC), and the Prepare and Enrich Premarital Counseling curriculum.

My Call to Christian Counseling

After working in youth ministry for several years, I realized that I was most passionate about counseling my students and their parents. I have always loved and felt uniquely equipped to sit with people and walk with them through difficult seasons in their lives, and counseling felt like the perfect way to do that.

More About Me/On a Personal Note

Most of my time is spent with my four kids right now. We love visiting Disneyland, going to the beach, or being with our church community. When I get a rare second alone, I love to read or do some sort of workout.

Services and Specialities

Areas of Expertise/Specialties

  • Abandonment and Neglect
  • Anxiety
  • Coaching
  • Counseling for Children
  • Counseling for Teens
  • Couples Counseling
  • Codependency
  • Depression
  • Family Counseling
  • Grief and Loss
  • Individual Counseling
  • Infidelity and Affairs
  • Marriage Counseling
  • Online Counseling
  • Personal Development
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
  • Premarital Counseling
  • Professional Development
  • Relationship Issues
  • Sexual Abuse
  • Spiritual Development
  • Spiritual Trauma
  • Trauma
  • Weight Loss
  • Women’s Issues

EMDR

EMDR is a psychotherapy tool used to treat those who have experienced trauma, with the goal being to help clients change the way that the negative memories are stored in their brains. I utilize EMDR when working with my adopted clients, my clients who have experienced spiritual abuse, or any client who comes into my office seeking healing from a traumatic experience. As a Christian EMDR therapist, I believe that the Holy Spirit is present through our processing and can provide us with a way forward that glorifies God.

Couples Counseling

Whether you are dealing with a lack of time for one another, difficulty with communication, or a lack of trust in your relationship, I am here to help. Perhaps you feel hurt or resentment toward your partner that you just can’t let go of. We all have difficult seasons in marriage, and I am here to walk with you through that challenging season and get you to the other side feeling more connected than before.

Family Counseling

I specialize in working with families who have walked through foster care and/or adoption. Adoption is an incredible tool that God uses to sanctify us and our children, but it can be difficult. As an adoptive mom myself, I know that the journey can be tender and beautiful all at the same time, and it doesn’t end once the adoption is complete. I work with families to recognize where there may be issues in expectations or communication and help them develop a healthy way of life for their family as they move forward together.

Motherhood Burnout

I believe parenting is the most difficult and yet the most rewarding job on the planet. We all go into parenting with the best intentions, only to realize it is a complicated and messy adventure. God calls us to lay down our lives, and goodness, do we do that for our kiddos. But as a mom to four littles, I have learned that it’s important to simultaneously care for ourselves while also caring for our family. Through our work together, I will help you to identify your own triggers that may stem from childhood pain while also navigating the needs of your children.

Spiritual Trauma

After several years of working in the church, being married to a pastor, and being a part of faith-based communities, I have realized how much trauma can occur in the church. Church is supposed to be safe physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, and yet it often falls short because it is led by other broken people. I utilize a trauma technique called EMDR to work with clients who have been hurt by the church to work through their pain without walking away from their faith.

Payment and Forms

Sessions: I offer 53-minute sessions. Sessions can be held more than once per week, weekly, or every other week. Scheduling options are discussed in greater detail during your Risk-Free Initial Session.

Availability (by office location):

  • Newport Beach – Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
  • Online Counseling – Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday

Fees: I offer a Risk-Free Initial Session for individuals, couples, and families looking to pursue counseling with me. Please note that there is a fee for the Risk-Free Initial Session as it is a clinical hour and reimbursable to most insurance companies, but if you choose not to reschedule and continue therapy after the initial session the entire fee for the session will be waived. For ongoing treatment the full fee per session is required at the time of service.

Insurance: As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), most insurance companies will reimburse for a portion of my services (as an Out of Network Provider). Please consult with your insurance provider as to whether they specifically cover adolescents, individuals and couples.

Receipts/Statements: In the event you require a printed or digital receipt, I will provide receipts for personal use, insurance reimbursement, Flex Spending Accounts (FSA), and Health Savings Accounts (HSA).

Payment options: Cash, Check, or Credit Card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, & American Express). A fee of up to 4% per transaction may be added for credit card payments.

About Biography Services Payment

“I cannot recommend Samantha Severin highly enough. From the very first meeting, her warmth and compassion is evident. She creates such a safe, welcoming space where it feels okay to be vulnerable and honest. Whether working through personal challenges or navigating relationship dynamics, Samantha listens deeply and responds with insight, empathy, and care.

What I appreciate most is how grounded and genuinely supportive she is—never judgmental, always present. It’s clear she bring not just professional expertise, but a real heart for the people she works with. Working with Samantha is a deeply healing experience, and I’m incredibly grateful for the growth I’ve experienced working alongside her.

If you’re looking for someone who will meet you with kindness, wisdom, and patience, I wholeheartedly recommend Samantha Severin.”

Samantha Severin is one of the most caring and trustworthy therapists I know. She really knows her stuff—especially when it comes to EMDR—and I always feel confident sending people her way. She has a special gift for helping those working through spiritual trauma, and she’s amazing with moms of young kids and families going through foster care or adoption. Her ability to bring faith into the therapy process in such a thoughtful way is something really special. I recommend her to anyone looking for a kind, skilled, and compassionate therapist.