Samantha Thomas

Samantha Thomas is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Smith College's School of Social Work and a clinical social worker with over a decade of experience in community mental health, psychiatric hospital settings, and higher education. She holds an M.S.W. from Metropolitan State University of Denver. Her work is grounded in social justice, focusing on marginalized populations and systemic inequities in mental health care. She integrates ego psychology and object relations frameworks into her therapeutic practice to provide culturally responsive support.

Her research examines trauma narratives and pain stories within therapeutic relationships. Thomas has led nonprofit initiatives, securing funding and influencing policy changes to support at-risk youth, crime survivors, and individuals experiencing homelessness. She advocates for dismantling neoliberal frameworks perpetuating inequality and emphasizes trauma-informed care, restorative justice, and policy advocacy in her professional efforts.