Samar M Alabassy holds a Master’s degree in Art Therapy and Counseling from Saint Mary of-the-Woods College and a Bachelor’s degree in Visual Arts from The American University in Cairo. Samar has furthered her education and training in psychology, including studying Abnormal Psychology at Harvard Extension School and Chicano Mexican Heritage Art at UCLA. She is an active member of the American Art Therapy Association (AATA).

Samar’s therapeutic approaches include talk therapy, art psychotherapy, and play therapy. She creates a safe and comfortable environment for clients, working collaboratively with them to discover coping skills and achieve their goals. Samar’s approach is solution-focused, strengths-based, and mindfulness-based. She particularly enjoys incorporating play therapy and art therapy interventions for children. In cases of PTSD and substance use disorders, she utilizes cognitive-behavioral therapy and trauma-focused cognitive therapy. She is also trained in play therapy and poetry therapy. Her person-oriented and strength-based approach encourages self-advocacy and empowerment for her clients.

Samar is fluent in both English and Arabic and has a passion for helping diverse populations. She has experience working with children, adults, adolescents, geriatrics, individuals with traumatic brain injuries, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, Autism spectrum disorders, refugees, and international students. Samar is skilled in crisis intervention, establishing therapeutic alliances, and developing appropriate art therapy interventions tailored to each client’s needs.

Samar has worked in mental health clinics, outpatient clinics, and creative arts therapy centers. She provided counseling services to adults with severe mental health disorders at Dr. Samir Abu El Magd Outpatient Clinic in Cairo, Egypt. In Rochester, New York, she worked at Serenity Life Creative Arts Therapies and Halligan Creative Arts Therapies, providing therapy sessions for both adults and children in low-risk populations. Samar is actively involved in volunteer work, including membership at the mental health clinics of the Egyptian Red Crescent and providing mental health aid for needy families.

With her extensive experience, multicultural background, and dedication to helping others, Samar M Alabassy is a compassionate and skilled Art therapist who aims to make a positive impact on the lives of her clients.