Samantha Joy Engelstad, PsyD, LCSW
Samantha Joy Engelstad, PsyD, LCSW
"...tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life"
- Mary Oliver
About Dr. Samantha J Engelstad
Psychologist & Social Worker
As a mental health provider who is both a psychologist and a social worker, I am uniquely positioned to blend in-depth individual treatment with a greater understanding of how social, cultural, and economic factors impact mental health.
My work allows me to bear witness to the awe of human resilience and joy while also beholding great pain and suffering. I have the honor of celebrating in the wonder of my clients’ and the despair of witnessing and accepting their wounds. To sit in both sorrow and joy with another human, is, to me, at the root of healing.
My Practice
Relational Healing
The therapeutic relationship is the most important factor for change in therapy. Healing and growth happen over time and are often a cumulation of moments cultivated by relational endeavors. It is my job to cultivate relational spaces with clients that allow them to receive and accept compassionate nudges and challenges toward how they see themselves, the world, and their experiences within the world. My approach to providing psychological services is heavily influenced by intersubjective theory. In addition, I utilize an intersectional multicultural perspective when conceptualizing clients and strongly align with humanistic approaches.
Cultural Humility
I hold a firm belief that the systems of power, privilege, and oppression that we all navigate daily deeply impact mental health. Not acknowledging these impacts is harmful to any client I may serve, especially those who may hold identities that have been historically disenfranchised and marginalized. I am continually mindful of the role of my own intersecting identities and recognize that these identities can influence my interactions with clients. I attempt to avoid generalizations and treat clients as the expert on themselves while also not burdening them with having to educate me on the experiences of historically marginalized and disenfranchised communities. I seek out education and resources that help me cultivate an understanding of and appreciation for the multitude of cultures and identities that exist within our society. This includes actively seeking education about the various traditions, values, and sources of joy inherent to different cultural backgrounds. Celebrating aspects of multicultural and diverse joy enriches my understanding as a clinician and fosters a more inclusive and affirming therapeutic environment for clients from all walks of life.
Forensic Services
As an individual passionate about justice, I specialize in forensic services. I have extensive experience working with survivors of interpersonal violence, including sexual violence, domestic violence, and childhood abuse and neglect. In addition to providing therapeutic support to individuals impacted by trauma, I also serve as an expert witness in cases involving interpersonal trauma and conduct forensic psychological evaluations. My findings and opinions are objective, and I am available to consult in both criminal and civil matters, for the prosecution or defense, as well as plaintiffs or defendants.
“The heart of justice is truth telling, seeing ourselves and the world the way it is rather than the way we want it to be.”
Bell Hooks
Frequently Asked Questions
Please reach me at drsamanthajengelstad@gmail.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.
I work with individuals (ages 12 and up), couples, and families who want to better understand, repair, or enhance relationships with themselves and those around them. My areas of expertise include trauma, depression, anxiety, childhood abuse and neglect, life transitions, grief and loss, identity development, and meaning-making.
Intersubjective theory suggests that people are naturally social creatures, and as such they gather their sense of self and understanding of the world within their experiences and interactions with others. From this perspective, individuals come to “know” themselves through shared experiences and mutual understanding within their relationships. Applied therapeutically, this orientation emphasizes creating a collaborative, relational space in which meaning is co-constructed through the active participation of both client and clinician.
I see clients Monday through Friday, with both morning and evening appointments available. I offer in-person sessions at my office in south Denver and provide virtual sessions to clients throughout Colorado.
I do not accept insurance. I can, however, share with you, a Superbill to be shared with your insurance provider for potential reimbursement for out-of-network services. This is not a guaranteed action that your insurance carrier will take. The best option is to check in with your insurance provider to see if they reimburse for out-of-network services before committing to this process.
Yes! I do accept victims compensation.
I am deeply committed to working with individuals who have experienced interpersonal traumas such as sexual violence. I have extensive experience supporting clients who are coping with trauma while also navigating the criminal justice system. I also have significant experience addressing suicidality and self-harm, especially among adolescent and young adult populations. More than anything, I am committed to being an intentional witness for my clients and seek to view each individual through a lens of compassionate curiosity.
Contact Me
Dr. Samantha J Engelstad
1720 South Bellaire Street, Suite 907, Denver, CO, USA
Dr. Samantha J Engelstad
Copyright © 2025 Dr. Samantha J Engelstad - All Rights Reserved.
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