Danielle Samuels

Danielle is a Marriage and Family Therapist trainee and graduate student at Pepperdine University. She earned her B.A. in psychology from The University of Texas at Austin; her Ed.M. in Human Development from Harvard University; and her Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology from the University of California, Riverside.

Danielle spent several years in academia before heeding the call to become a therapist. An abiding appreciation for the experience of being a human is the link between her roles as researcher, teacher, and practitioner. She believes in the power of storytelling to open us to new realities and ways of being. Danielle maintains a stance of curiosity and respect for the stories of individuals. She uses a narrative approach to create a therapeutic environment that feels collaborative, open, and empowering.

Danielle is an avid reader, writer, and lover of nature. In addition to her work as a therapist, she teaches courses at Laguna College of Art + Design on the intersections of art, literature and psychology. She believes we are storytellers all.