Samara Turner, Registered Social Work Intern

My "Why"

I've lived all over the country due to my father being in the military. Having been accustomed to that life, it should come as no surprise that I married a military man myself. During our almost eleven years of marriage, I traveled all over the world and became a mother to three incredible children who are the beating heart of my existence. I watched as my husband was diagnosed with cancer and was with him every step of the way as he beat it. However, on July 4, 2017, my husband died unexpectedly in his sleep, which we would later discover was due to an accidental overdose, leaving me a widow and my children fatherless. This traumatic event left me feeling as if all the color had drained out of my world, wondering if I would ever feel happiness again, and with one recurring question that I didn't know how to answer: What do I do now? I decided to speak to a therapist and expressed my concern for the future as a widowed mother, my desire to return to school and achieve a higher education, and shared my sense of overwhelm regarding what field to focus on. I was encouraged to consider what would make me feel fulfilled to do, and two things came instantly to mind. First, for as long as I could remember, I have always found great joy and fulfillment in serving others through word and deed. Second, I wanted to use my loss to help others through theirs, to lend an understanding voice and ear, and to be living proof that things can and will get better. I was encouraged to investigate Social Work and never looked back, having found an additional calling and purpose in life. I knew this journey would be a difficult one, requiring sacrificing time with my children to achieve. I felt the weight of the world trying to figure out how I would balance motherhood and gaining a higher education. I was determined to be someone my children could be proud of, to be living proof that we can overcome life's challenges and accomplish anything we set our minds to. With their support, love, and understanding, I dedicated my life to helping others overcome the trials that life throws at them, to be an advocate for those in need, and to provide a safe space for healing and transformation; a space to help them bring the color back into their world again.

Three Fun Facts about me:

1. I currently have 11 pets that consist of dogs, cats, chinchillas, and a snake that I have the privilege to love and care for.
2. I love to change my hair color every 6 weeks and usually oscillate between various vivid shades of pinks, purples, and oranges depending on my mood and the season.
3. When the movie "The Ring" was released, my phone calls were dodged for a solid two weeks by any friends who saw it until one of them told me to watch the movie. Once I did, it all made sense, and I still laugh about it to this day.

My Favorite Books(3):

1. The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
2. Women's Murder Club series by James Patterson
3. The Jonquil Brothers Series by Sarah M. Eden

My Hobbies

1. Music has always been an integral part of my life. I sing, play three instruments, and strive to learn more!
2. I'm a PC gamer with my top game of choice being World of Warcraft.
3. I am an avid collector of Funko Pops that showcase my various loved and treasured fandoms. 

My Journey

 I began my journey by becoming a mentor for the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) for fellow military widows and found the experience of providing a safe space and emotional support during their first year of loss extremely rewarding. I attended the University of Central Florida, where I received my Bachelor's in Social Work in May of 2023. I applied and was accepted into their graduate program and graduated with my Master's in Social Work and my Graduate Certificate in Military Social Work in May of 2024. Over the years, I have provided social services and therapeutic support to individuals and families in healthcare, acute and hospice, and with children ages 0-10. I have made it my personal goal to be continually ambitious in my pursuit of learning and growth through a trauma-informed lens for the individuals, couples, and families I have the privilege to work with. I can testify to the impact that trauma, loneliness, grief, loss, low self-esteem, and abuse can have on one's overall well-being, physically, mentally, and spiritually. I firmly believe that while trauma may play a role in your narrative, it need not define who you are. Beyond your experiences, you can define your identity. I strive to provide a safe, non-judgmental environment where collaboration between client and therapist can thrive to overcome insurmountable challenges and achieve self-awareness, growth, healing, and transformation.

My Favorite Superhero

 Captain America, without question, as I admire his humility, moral integrity, selflessness, and bravery. He is a symbol of hope and resilience, and advocates for justice and equality. 

My Favorite Quote

"Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light." -Albus Dumbledore from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban