Samantha Mcmullen Email and Phone Number

My name is Samantha McMullen and as a DMH Stipend recipient I am dedicated to providing therapeutic services to underserved, culturally diverse populations. I received my Masters in Marital and Family Therapy with specialization in clinical art therapy from Loyola Marymount May 10th. This program provided education in working with adolescents, children, elders and their families, as well as focusing on working with trauma, sexual abuse and intimate partner violence. My first practicum at West LA Veterans Home provided me with experience in working with older adult veterans including those in the Skilled Nursing Unit with diverse medical needs, the Memory Care Unit with various stages of dementia, and the Transitional Housing Unit for previously homeless veterans with substance abuse histories. At Star View Adolescent Center I worked with culturally diverse and severely emotionally disturbed adolescents by providing adjunctive art therapy services to individuals as well as groups. I utilized my experience as an art therapist with both of these diverse populations by introducing art therapy as a nonverbal form of communication. Some of the ways art therapy functioned to help clients achieve their goals was by learning to use art as a coping skill and by using art to help externalize anger, process traumatic events, communicate their internal experience and visualize a safe space to aid in their ability to self regulate. I take pride in being a creative team member while having the ability to take initiative, communicate well with others and strive in a fast pace environment. I feel that my past experience in providing mental health services will be an asset to your facility’s commitment to helping the high need families of Los Angeles.