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Wildflower Center for Emotional Health

Samantha Buhai-Jacobus

MA, LPC, CAIP

(she/her)

"I came to Wildflower not really sure what I needed, but I knew I needed something. Samantha really helped me connect all the dots and figure out areas I could work on to find the missing pieces. They provided a space where I could openly just talk about my life and identify patterns and just let me get out in the open things that I have held in for a long time."

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I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and psychotherapist at Wildflower Center for Emotional Health. As a therapist, I take a holistic approach to healing the mind, body, and spirit, knowing that one part is not separate from the other. I prioritize collaboration with my clients, respecting that they are the experts on their own lives and promoting self-empowerment. I aim to create an environment that embodies compassion and non-judgment to create space for my clients to process their thoughts and feelings and foster openness to explore alternate perspectives. In my role as a therapist, I commit to showing up with authenticity and curiosity. I feel privileged to witness the vulnerability and resilience of the people I work with. I continue to find passion in my work as a therapist through witnessing how the power of hope can make way for immense change.

My clinical interests include perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, grief and loss, trauma, anxiety, depression, life transitions, and relationship difficulties. In providing therapy, I take a strengths-based approach while using evidence-based practices including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Internal Family Systems, and Mindfulness-based techniques. Before joining Wildflower, I worked in a community mental health center providing both individual and group therapy to people with a variety of complex needs, specializing in grief & loss and anger management. Before earning my master’s degree, I worked and volunteered for multiple nonprofit organizations that provided support to survivors of domestic violence and their families.

I earned my master’s degree in counseling psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology with a concentration in trauma & crisis intervention. I received my bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with a concentration in social/personality psychology and a minor in criminology, law & society. I am receiving ongoing training in perinatal and reproductive mental health to become a certified perinatal mental health professional (PMH-C).

Selected Training & Affiliation

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Internal Family Systems (IFS)
  • Person-Centered approach
  • Mindfulness-based techniques
  • Crisis Intervention
  • Grief and Loss
  • Anger Management
  • Trauma-Informed Care
  • Certified Anxiety-Informed Professional (CAIP)
  • American Counseling Association Member
  • Member of Postpartum Support International

Key Beliefs

  • There is not a “one size fits all” approach to therapy.
  • I believe the success of therapy comes from two people working together to lighten the load.
  • We do not have to believe everything we think. We decide what importance we put on our thoughts. Change is always possible.

More About Me

  • I enjoy time spent by Lake Michigan, no matter the season.
  • I am happiest curled up with a good book and tea.
  • Fall is my favorite season and my favorite holiday is Halloween!