Samantha Bickham, LMHC, EMDR Therapist

08/25/2025

Big things are happening at Calming Tides Counseling!

We’re thrilled to share that we’re moving into a brand-new office space in Winter Park, FL and will begin seeing clients there starting September 1st. Our new location has been designed to feel welcoming, calming, and supportive of deep healing and we can’t wait to share it with you!

Our trauma-focused team is passionate about supporting those navigating complex trauma, eating disorders, and maternal mental health struggles. With our recent expansion, we’re grateful for the opportunity to continue serving the community in a bigger and more meaningful way.

Stay tuned—we’ll be introducing our newest clinician soon and can’t wait for you to get to know them. We’re so excited about the additional care and expertise they’ll bring to our team!

Learn more about us at www.calmingtidesfl.com

08/13/2025

It was such an amazing experience being a guest on the Tragically Beautiful podcast! Check out the new episode and let me know your thoughts! 🤩

✨ “Core values help you step into your power, especially when coming from narcissistic or abusive relationships where the goal is a power-control dynamic.”

This insight from my recent podcast guest, serves as a powerful reminder that reclaiming our values is a crucial step towards healing and empowerment after an abusive relationship. 🌱 Because when in an abusive relationship, the abuser strips away your authentic values, leaving you to live by theirs.

Such a powerful revelation!

To hear more, listen to Episode 047 on your favorite podcasting platform!

What core value are you embracing today? Share in the comments! 💬.

07/18/2025

✨ New Blog Post ✨

"Recognizing the Signs of Unresolved Trauma"

Sometimes trauma doesn’t look how we expect it to. It can show up in our bodies, in our relationships, in the way we react to everyday stress—and we may not even realize it’s connected to something deeper.

In this post, I share some of the more subtle emotional and physical signs of trauma and how therapies like EMDR can help support healing in a way that feels safe and empowering.

If you've ever wondered “Why am I reacting this way?” or “Is it just stress—or something more?” this might offer some clarity and validation.

💬 I'd love for you to read, reflect, and share with anyone who might need to hear it.

🧠🌿 Because healing is possible—and no one should feel like they have to do it alone.

👉

Learn how to recognize emotional and physical signs of unresolved trauma. Discover how EMDR therapy with a Winter Park trauma therapist can help you heal.

07/11/2025

⭐️”Do I have to remember every detail for EMDR to work?”⭐️

This is something almost everyone asks at some point in therapy.

You don’t have to remember every moment of what happened to experience relief or healing.

EMDR works by helping your brain process the parts of the memory—thoughts, feelings, body sensations—that are still “stuck,” whether or not you have a clear picture of the whole event.

Sometimes memories come up in pieces. Sometimes it’s more like a feeling in your body than a story in your mind.

This is all okay, and it’s all workable within EMDR.

If you’re worried about whether you “remember enough,” know that you’re not alone—and it doesn’t mean you can’t heal.

Reach out to learn more! ♥️

07/03/2025

You don’t have to be an artist to be creative. 🌟

Every one of us has a creative side—yes, even you. Tapping into it can help us process emotions, build self-understanding, and bring more compassion into our healing journey.

I just wrote a blog all about how creative expression—like journaling, collage, and art—can support trauma recovery, body image healing, and self-worth.

If you’re curious how this might fit into your own journey, take a peek here— https://www.calmingtidesfl.com/blog/healing-through-creative-art-in-therapy

✨ And if you’re longing for a space to explore this work alongside others who truly get it, our Creative Expressions Therapy Group for young adults is starting in August. No art experience needed—just come as you are.

Discover how creative expression can support your healing journey. From journaling to collage, tapping into your creative side can help process emotions, build self-compassion, and move through trauma. Written by a Winter Park trauma therapist, this guide explores why creativity belongs in therapy.....

05/12/2025

Something special is starting this August!

Jenelle Coolidge and I are launching the Creative Expressions for Recovery Group and it’s gonna be full of color, connection, and healing.

👯‍♀️ Co-led by me and my amazing colleague Jenelle Coolidge, this group is for those:

🌀 Navigating recovery from trauma and/or eating disorders

🌱 Open to trying creative ways to explore emotions

💬 Looking for a space to connect with like-minded humans

🌈 Ready to show up exactly as they are—no art skills needed!

It’s body-inclusive, shame-free, and all about expression, not perfection.

🖌️ Whether you’re a clinician looking to refer or a friend who knows someone who might thrive in this space—we’d love for you to pass it on.

Check out the Flyer and Link below for more information.
www.calmingtidesfl.com/creative.expressions.group

03/21/2025

Therapy is powerful on its own, but when you pair it with the things that bring you joy?

✨ Magic. ✨

Healing isn’t just about processing the hard stuff—it’s also about rediscovering what makes life feel good.

Finding joy in the little things helps the process feel lighter.

What’s your favorite therapy + ___ combo?

03/13/2025

Though you know yourself best, here are some things you might have forgotten.

Life has a way of throwing hardships our way—challenges that make us question our strength, our worth, and our voice.

Just because doubt creeps in, it doesn’t mean the truth has changed.

You are resilient.

You are worthy.

You deserve more than just getting by.

Consider this your reminder. Save it for the days you need it most.

03/01/2025

Disordered eating is everywhere—it’s just been normalized.

From ‘wellness’ fads to ‘just burn it off’ mindsets, we’re surrounded by messages that blur the line between health and harm.

Let’s break it down and call it out.

02/28/2025

If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, you don’t have to struggle alone!

Help is available, and recovery is possible.

Please reach out today to by calling their therapist-staffed helpline at 866-662-1235⁠, visiting allianceforeatingdisorders.com, or texting “ALLIANCE” to 741741.

Please repost - it could save a life.

02/27/2025

Your worth isn’t measured by your size, your weight, or how much space you take up.

You are enough exactly as you are—no conditions, no exceptions.

If you’ve ever felt like you had to change your body to be accepted, know this: Love, respect, and belonging aren’t reserved for a smaller version of you. They’re yours right now.

02/19/2025

Thinking about starting therapy but not sure what to expect? 🛋️

You’re not alone—taking that first step can feel overwhelming.

Whether you're considering therapy for yourself or know someone who is, having a better understanding of what the first session looks like can ease some of the uncertainty.

In my latest blog, I break down what the first therapy session can look like, from discussing goals to understanding the process.

If you or someone you care about has been on the fence about starting therapy, this is an easy way to get insight into what to expect.

Starting therapy can feel overwhelming, but knowing what to expect can help. Learn what happens in your first therapy session with a trauma therapist in Orlando, from setting goals to finding the right support. Discover how EMDR, ACT, and other approaches can help you heal and move forward.