Samantha Mahr

I'm a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice, offering in-person therapy in New York City and Westchester, as well as virtual sessions throughout New York State. I received my doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Yeshiva University's Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology and previously served as Director of Training and Supervising Psychologist at Fordham University's Lincoln Center campus. My clinical background also includes inpatient experience working with individuals with serious mental illness, which has informed my understanding of psychological complexity and the many ways people experience distress. I work with adults navigating anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, life transitions, and questions around identity and self-worth, with particular experience supporting young adults and individuals during pregnancy, postpartum, and early parenthood. I have specialized training in perinatal mental health and am currently a candidate in the NYU Postdoctoral Program in Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis.

My approach is grounded in psychodynamic and psychoanalytic thinking, with an emphasis on understanding how our past experiences, relationships, and emotional patterns shape the way we experience ourselves and others today. I see therapy as a collaborative process that allows us to explore not only what you're struggling with, but also the deeper feelings and patterns that may be contributing to those difficulties. My style is warm, curious, and engaged, and I can be direct or playful when it feels helpful. I believe that developing a deeper understanding of yourself can create opportunities for meaningful and lasting change.

Our first session is an opportunity for us to get to know one another and begin exploring what brings you to therapy. I generally like these initial conversations to feel open-ended and relatively unstructured, allowing space for you to share whatever feels most important. At the same time, I recognize that getting started can feel unfamiliar or overwhelming, and I'm happy to offer more direct questions and guidance if that's helpful. Together, we'll begin to think about what you're hoping to gain from therapy and what it might be like for us to work together.