Samantha is not currently accepting new clients.

Samantha Colai (she/her), founder of Hope is Rising, sees the healing potential in each person she encounters.  Her Trauma-Informed perspective of the therapy process allows her to help individuals, children, and families address not only the presenting symptoms (e.g. behavioral concerns, anxiety, depression) but uncover the root source of distress.  She compassionately explores how past trauma impacts an individual’s current life.  Samantha believes that trauma is stuck in the body, not the brain, and when trauma goes unaddressed, it comes out sideways and impacts all areas of life.  

With trauma being at the core of many individuals’ current problems, Samantha utilizes Somatic Experiencing techniques to teach individuals how to stay grounded in the present moment and physically release the trauma held in the body.  

When working with children and families, Samantha recognizes the importance of attachment relationships, child development, and setting realistic expectations for each child based on emotional, social, and biological age.  Behaviors and play are the primary communication methods of children and offer a window into a child’s world.  As a registered play therapist, Samantha utilizes Play Therapy techniques to identify and help children process the big emotions fueling their behaviors.  She collaborates with parents to support the entire family unit and provides parent education as she helps families create systemic change.  

Samantha also provides supervision for other therapists working and training in the mental health field.  When providing supervision, Samantha values open communication, transparency, and self of therapist work.  She sees the supervisor and supervisee relationship as a collaborative process where she encourages and empowers her supervisees to explore ethical implications and feel confident in their developing therapy skills.  She is an AAMFT-Approved Supervisor, MN MFT Board Approved Supervisor, BBHT Approved Supervisor, and Play Therapy Supervisor.  

In addition, Samantha’s experience as a therapist and a supervisor draws many Mental Health Professionals to seek self-care therapy with her.  Samantha helps other therapists process secondary trauma and expand self-care strategies.  She offers compassionate support by knowing the challenges Mental Health Providers face in their careers.  

When not at the office, Samantha enjoys being outdoors, reading, spending time with her children, unplugging from technology, and focusing on her own health and wellness.