APSW
Behavioral Health Therapist
The care I experienced as a patient at City of Hope in 2014 made me want to be a bigger part of this team and to give back to patients, their loved ones, and my fellow team members.
Master’s Degree in Social Work - Loyola University, Chicago, IL
Social Worker, Advanced Practice - Wisconsin MPSW Joint Board
Certified Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing - PESI (Professional Education Systems Institute)
Samantha Stephenson joined City of Hope as a bilingual Behavioral Health Therapist in December 2022, collaborating on a multidisciplinary team to help patients and their families build coping skills by providing virtual and in-person therapy sessions. She also visits patients after surgery or during chemotherapy infusions to offer support. As a life-long learner, Stephenson regularly takes courses on best practices in her field, so she’s better informed on how to support patients along their journey.
Prior to her role at City of Hope, Stephenson served as an Advanced Practice Social Worker in a private practice, a group facilitator for a Behavioral Health Clinic, a social service coordinator for a community Foster program, as well as a counselor and Spanish language instructor for a high school.
“My overall goal for patients is to provide individualized therapy techniques that pertain to their specific needs,” says Stephenson. “This will help them achieve the highest level of comfort possible during their cancer journey.”
Stephenson earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. After turning to City of Hope for her own cancer treatment in 2014, she was inspired to pursue her true passion for helping others. She then earned a master’s degree in social work from Loyola University in Chicago, Illinois, and became a certified social worker by the Wisconsin Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Counseling, and Social Work (MPSW) Joint Board. Stephenson also leverages her certification in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) by PESI (formerly known as Professional Education Systems Institute) to help her patients.
Outside of City of Hope, Stephenson loves horses, learning new things and exploring new hobbies. She enjoys spending time being creative and exploring the outdoors with her young child and family.