Meet Danielle Stoner Sampson, LCSW, PMH-C
“We are powerful because we have survived.” - Audre Lorde
I am so glad you’re here! My name is Danielle. I am a white, cisgender, bisexual woman. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the states of New York and Pennsylvania. I have worked in many areas of social work over the years, including foster care and adoption, child welfare, substance abuse, and perinatal mental health, before becoming a clinician. I can’t wait to work with you!
Clients come to me when they want to make big changes in their lives, but they might have been unsuccessful in therapy in the past. I am ready to help you do the work.
My Approach to Therapy
I believe that therapy is a collaboration, not a hierarchy. If something isn’t working for the client, I want them to feel comfortable speaking up about it. I practice from an anti-racist, anti-oppressive, anti-capitalist, anti-diet, social justice framework. We will talk about how mental health and trauma is a systemic issue, not an individual issue.
My approach is humorous when appropriate, but also compassionate and kind. I will gently challenge you to challenge unhealthy thought patterns and replace them with more constructive ones. In couples therapy, I will interrupt negative communication patterns to help you and your partner(s) improve and learn skills you can practice at home.
How is therapy with me different?
I practice from an anti-capitalist, anti-racist, anti-diet, social justice framework. I am fully ready to talk about the systemic issues contributing to your mental health, not just the individual factors going on in your life.
Am I the right therapist for you?
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The clients that have the most success with me are those who are ready to dive into the “whys” of their behavior and reactions. I enjoy working with LGBTQ+ individuals, couples, and polycules and I provide compassionate, gender-affirming care to trans- and gender non-conforming individuals. I enjoy working with people with all kinds of trauma, especially childhood or complex trauma. I also work well with pregnant and postpartum individuals and their partners.
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You may not enjoy working with me if you want to “vent” about problems of the week without digging deeper into the past. I am professional to a point, but I am also down-to-earth and have been known to let loose a swear word now and again.
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When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with my husband, our dog Ruffles, and our two cats, Frankie and Ruby. I play in a queer kickball league in Buffalo in the summer, and I also enjoy hiking and relaxing outside. I am a creative person and enjoy quilting, crocheting, and using my Cricut to make crafts for my family and friends. I also play several instruments and you may see me out and about playing saxophone in the community!
Specialties
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Trauma
I use EMDR and schema therapy to help you get to the root of your trauma and heal the symptoms associated with it.
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Couples
I use the Gottman Method, schema therapy, and Relational Life Therapy to help you and your partner(s) improve communication, intimacy, and conflict management.
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Intensives
For when you want to feel better, faster, intensive sessions allow more time for processing.
Clinical Experience
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Master of Social Work – University at Buffalo, 2018
B.S. Integrative Neuroscience – Binghamton University, 2015
B.A. Music – Binghamton University, 2015
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EMDRIA Certified Therapist - EMDR International Association, 2026
Certification in Individual Schema Therapy – International Society of Schema Therapy, 2024
Certification in Perinatal Mental Health – Postpartum Support International, 2021
Microcredential in Early Childhood Mental Health – Niagara University, 2021
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EMDR Training – 2022
Individual Schema Therapy Training – 2022
Perinatal Mental Health Training - 2021
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Member, EMDRIA
Member, Western New York Trauma Collective
Member, Western New York Postpartum Connection
Member, International Society of Schema Therapy
Member, Postpartum Support International