Trauma, DBT & adolescent therapist

Samantha DiMeglio, Psy.D.

Specialized in PTSD and complex trauma, DBT for emotion regulation, and care for adolescents and young adults. Trained in the full slate of evidence-based trauma therapies (EMDR, Prolonged Exposure, Cognitive Processing Therapy, Written Exposure Therapy, and STAIR), with focused DBT experience for clients whose nervous systems need stabilization alongside the deeper work.

Book a free 15-min consult with Samantha
Samantha DiMeglio, Psy.D.

Trauma and the patterns that grow around it.

PTSD Complex trauma DBT Adolescents Young adults EMDR PE CPT Eating disorders LGBTQIA+ affirming

My work centers on trauma and the patterns that grow up around it. For many of the people I see, trauma travels with emotion dysregulation, eating disorder behaviors, chronic illness, and relationship patterns that began as a way to survive and outstayed their usefulness. DBT is often the steady ground that makes the deeper work possible. I am trained to hold all of those layers at once.

When the nervous system has been carrying too much for too long, processing the past requires stabilization first. DBT skills give us the foundation that real trauma work needs.

I draw on the full set of evidence-based trauma therapies (EMDR, Prolonged Exposure, Cognitive Processing Therapy, Written Exposure Therapy, and STAIR), and I match the modality to what your nervous system is asking for. For clients whose distress feels too big to sit with long enough to process, DBT skills are the layer that makes deeper trauma work possible.

I have particular focus on adolescents and young adults. The years from the teen years through emerging adulthood are when so much of the nervous system gets its first imprint, and where the work of identity, relationships, and meeting yourself for the first time tends to live. I trained for four years at the Center for Motivation and Change in New York, where I developed deep expertise in trauma assessment and treatment. I am also trained in gender-affirming surgery assessments and writing letters of support.

Areas of specialty.

A few areas where I have built deep expertise through extensive training, supervision, and direct clinical practice.

PTSD & complex trauma

All five major evidence-based trauma therapies

EMDR, Prolonged Exposure, Cognitive Processing Therapy, Written Exposure Therapy, and STAIR. CAPS-5 trained for thorough PTSD assessment. I match the modality to what your nervous system is asking for.

DBT & emotion regulation

The skills that make deeper work possible

Years of DBT group facilitation and individual work, with training across emotion regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness. For clients whose distress feels overwhelming, DBT is the foundation that real trauma work needs.

Adolescents & young adults

Identity, regulation, and the long shadow of early experiences

Particular focus on teens and emerging adults working through identity, relationships, and the patterns that began in earlier years. The work meets you where you are and moves at the pace your nervous system can hold.

Gender-affirming care

Affirming care and surgery letters

Trained in gender-affirming surgery assessments and writing letters of support. Affirming, trauma-informed care for trans and gender-expansive clients, including identity-based trauma.

Built on rigorous, continuing education.

Education

  • Nova Southeastern University, FLDoctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) in Clinical Psychology. APA-accredited program.
  • Nova Southeastern University, FLMaster of Science in Clinical Psychology. APA-accredited.
  • William Paterson University, NJBachelor of Arts in Psychology, minor in Health Studies. Cognitive Science Honors Track.

Trauma-specific training

  • EMDR Basic Training44.25 hours with Deany Laliotis, LICSW. The Center for Excellence in EMDR Therapy.
  • Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for PTSDTwo-day intensive workshop with Christina DiChiara, Psy.D. Cognitive Behavior Institute.
  • Prolonged Exposure (PE) for PTSD19.5-hour virtual workshop with David Yusko, Psy.D., Steven Tsao, Ph.D., and Christina DiChiara, Psy.D. Center for Anxiety & Behavior Therapy.
  • CAPS-5 PTSD AssessmentTrained and supervised at the Center for Motivation and Change.

DBT & affirming care

  • DBT group facilitationMulti-year experience co-facilitating DBT groups across clinical training sites, with focused work on emotion regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness.
  • Gender-Affirming Surgery Assessments & Letters of SupportWith Ari Kramer, Psy.D. San Diego State University with Empowering Therapy and Consulting.
  • Telepsychology TrainingUnderstanding Telepsychology Webinar with Jonathan Perl, Ph.D., ABPP. Nova Southeastern University.

Clinical experience

  • Center for Motivation and Change, NYStaff Clinician, Postdoctoral Fellow, and Clinical Extern across four years of trauma and PTSD treatment for adolescents and adults.
  • San Diego State University CAPSAPPIC-approved Predoctoral Internship. Short-term individual and group therapy for young adults with affirmative, strengths-based, trauma-informed interventions.
  • Nova Southeastern University Psychology Services CenterGraduate Student Clinician with mood and anxiety disorders, eating disorders, complex trauma, and life-cycle transitions. DBT group co-facilitation.

Ready to begin trauma work? Let's talk.

Schedule a free 15-minute consultation with me. We will talk through what you are working on and figure out together whether we are the right fit.