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About Sam
Liberation-Centered Mental Wellness for WA Residents**
My name is Sam Michaels (mee•kah•Els) (she/they), and I provide trauma-sensitive, liberation-centered therapy to allies and members of Black, people of the global majority, LGBTQ+, polyamorous and ENM communities.
By providing holistic mental wellness counseling to Washington residents as an Associate Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I blend evidence-based modalities with somatic therapy and mindfulness practices to address anxiety, grief, trauma, and life transitions. It is an honor to walk with clients in these areas and witness them grow in self-compassion, communication, emotion regulation, identifying needs & values, and authentic living. Together, we uncover the strengths they already carry and build upon them, so they can navigate life with greater clarity and confidence.
**Available exclusively to Washington State residents via secure tele-health.
Global Relocation & Transitional Support
Since 2014, I’ve traveled and lived abroad in West Africa, Central America, Europe, and East Asia. Each of these chapters gifted me with beautiful memories, a profound appreciation for my international community, and lessons in navigating culture shock, mental health abroad, resilience, and transformation.
That lived experience is the foundation of my work as a transitional support coach. I partner with clients anywhere in the world who are preparing to move, actively relocating, or struggling to settle into a new place, wherever that is. Unlike therapy, this is solely skills-based and action-oriented. We focus on practical resilience, emotional grounding during uprooting, maintaining connection across distance, navigating cultural and social shifts, and reclaiming a sense of home within yourself. As someone who has walked this path, it is an honor to accompany those who are finding their way in their next chapter.
End-of-Life Support and Grief Education
Since becoming a ZOLA Grief Ambassador in 2023, I have shared grief education and practical skills in both one-on-one and group settings, helping people demystify the grieving process and learn how to show up for themselves and each other. In July 2025, I deepened this commitment by training as a Death Doula, and I am now honored to offer this service completely free of charge.
As a death doula, I provide holistic, non-medical presence and planning support for individuals and families facing the end of life. As a grief consultant, I offer education, resources, and compassionate witness to those navigating loss. This service is available to anyone, anywhere, outside of therapy and relocation coaching. If you are interested in learning more, please reach out to me at heatbreattransitions@gmail.com.
**Now Offering Drop-in Informal Meet**
Zoom Meeting ID: 828 2007 4675
Password: welcome
Core Values & Therapeutic Approach
Collective Liberation
Collective Liberation
Collective Liberation
As we heal, we move closer to our liberation as well as our communities'. This is why I am prioritizing services to those who identify as BIPOC/multicultural and/or queer, and are in ally-ship with antiracism, justice for the queer and trans community, mad liberation, fat liberation, disability justice, indigenous rights & land back, and social justice for all oppressed communities.
Authenticity
Collective Liberation
Collective Liberation
As a Black, queer, womxn, showing up as my authentic self means actively defying characteristics of white supremacy. In sessions, this will look like welcoming imperfection, critiquing the concept of professionalism, acknowledging systemic oppression, sitting with discomfort, and questioning binary thinking.
Person-Centered
Collective Liberation
Holistic Wellness
Sessions are person-centered which means clients determine how our time will be utilized. We work collaboratively with the client in the driver's seat. While in the passenger's seat, I offer observations, guidance, and resources so that we can get to where the client wants to go.
Holistic Wellness
Therapy Modalities
Holistic Wellness
We are more than our thoughts. We are more than our trauma. Holistic therapy looks into all aspects of an individual's life to point out what is and isn't serving them. In our sessions, we make room for what is happening psychologically, physically, environmentally, and spiritually so that clients can achieve inner and outer balance.
Therapy Modalities
Therapy Modalities
Therapy Modalities
In addition to ancestral practices like somatics, meditation, and breath-work, I apply western modalities when working with clients such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy.
FAQ
You're invited to email info.sessionswithsam@gmail.com if you have any other questions.
All sessions are provided remotely.
Services are provided to individuals who are 18+. Couples' sessions are not provided at this time.
Sessions range from $175 to $255. I accept credit/debit, Venmo, and PayPal.
Yes! I offer a sliding scale rate—we can discuss a rate that feels comfortable for you during our consultation call.
Yup! If the sliding scale rate is too high for you at this time, I am currently offering services to via Open Path Collective as well as the Loveland Foundation. If you're interested in learning more, be sure to mention this in your consultation request.
At this time, I sit vigil and provide consultation on ritual and legacy-making as a Death Doula. You can mention this in your consultation request if interested.