Meet Samantha Wong | Licensed Professional Counselor Associate

We had the good fortune of connecting with Samantha Wong and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Samantha, what do you attribute your success to?
The most important factor behind my success is faith—faith in God, in the people around me, and in trusting the process. I owe everything to God and am deeply grateful to my parents for their unwavering support, as well as my friends, supervisor, and boss for encouraging me to pursue counseling and lifelong learning. Their guidance and belief in me have helped me navigate challenges, enabling me to pay it forward and support my clients in meaningful ways.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’ve always been fascinated by psychology and how the mind works. Observing how people interact with their surroundings and overcome struggles with resilience has been a lifelong interest. During undergrad, I initially planned to double major in psychology and nursing but soon realized nursing wasn’t for me. I felt uncertain about my future, especially with discouraging opinions about what I could do with a psychology degree.

Despite this, I encountered small sparks of encouragement along the way. Classmates often confided in me about their struggles and life experiences. I was touched by their trust but unsure how to support them effectively. My academic advisor suggested counseling, a common path for psychology graduates, and it planted a seed in my mind.

After earning my bachelor’s in psychology, I worked with kids in an afterschool program. While I enjoyed group activities, I especially loved connecting with kids individually and learning their unique personalities. One moment stands out: I was playing with a child, lining up blocks like dominoes, while we waited for his parents. He began sharing his sadness about his parents’ separation and how they hadn’t explained it to him. As we talked, I noticed his mood lifting, and by the time his parents arrived, he was happy and cheerful. Being part of that experience was incredibly rewarding and confirmed my desire to help others. I realized that counseling might be the path I wanted to pursue. I was fortunate to have incredible professors, supportive classmates, a dedicated supervisor, and a loving family who guided me on my journey to becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor.

Life, to me, is like the weather—sometimes cloudy and rainy, other times sunny and clear. Just as plants need both water and sunlight to grow, our struggles and joys shape who we are. It’s not the challenges we face but how we respond to them that determines our success.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Day 1: Arrival and Easy Exploration
Morning
Brunch at Bread Winners Café
Klyde Warren Park
Afternoon
Perot Museum of Nature and Science

Day 2: Animals and Nature
Morning
Breakfast at Snooze, an A.M. Eatery
Dallas Zoo
Afternoon
Lunch at the Dallas Zoo Café or Raising Cane’s (nearby).
Head to the Trinity River Audubon Center for a short nature hike and birdwatching.
Evening
Dinner at Babe’s Chicken Dinner House

Day 3: Museums and Local Gems
Morning
Breakfast at Overeasy
Dallas Museum of Art (DMA)
Afternoon
Lunch at Miriam Cocina Latina
Explore the Nasher Sculpture Center or head to Fair Park for a ride on the Texas Discovery Gardens’ Butterfly House carousel.

Day 4: Bishop Arts District and Nearby Fun
Morning
Breakfast at La La Land Kind Café
Stroll through the Bishop Arts District
Afternoon
Lunch at Eno’s Pizza Tavern
Visit the Dallas World Aquarium
Evening
Dinner at Velvet Taco

Day 5: Outdoors and Relaxation
Morning
Breakfast at Ascension Coffee
Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden
Afternoon
Lunch at White Rock Alehouse
Evening
Dinner at Smoky Rose

Day 6: A Day Trip to Fort Worth
Morning
Breakfast at Righteous Foods (Fort Worth):
Fort Worth Stockyards
Afternoon
Lunch at Joe T. Garcia’s
Fort Worth Zoo
Evening
Shake Shack

Day 7: Wrapping Up in Uptown
Morning
Breakfast at Magnolias: Sous Le Pont
Walk along the Katy Trail
Afternoon
Lunch at Katy Trail Ice House
Legoland Discovery Center (in Grapevine) or NorthPark Center
Evening
Dinner at Hopdoddy Burger Bar

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to thank God, my family, and everyone who supported me through undergrad and grad school. A special thanks to my supervisor, Lacee, who has guided me since graduate school and continues to mentor me as I begin my LPC Associate journey. Her intelligence, kindness, patience, and insightful feedback have been invaluable.

Website: https://www.intentionaltherapypllc.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/intentionaltherapypllc

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IntentionalTherapypllc/

Image Credits
Shanelle at Have Hope Photography