Book a therapist or psychiatrist in Kennesaw, GA covered by United Healthcare

I've embraced the southern warmth, but I'm a born and bred northeasterner, originally from snowy Buffalo, NY. The University of Rochester and the University of Rochester School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry was my training ground, and since then, my experience has spanned from Rural Mental Health in Albion, NY, to School Mental Health in Washington, DC .

I’m LaToya T. Newman, MS, LMFT, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with master’s degrees in both Marriage and Family Therapy and Criminal Justice Sciences. My background allows me to look beyond symptoms alone and consider the relational, environmental, and systemic experiences that shape how we see ourselves, connect with others, and respond to life’s challenges.

I work with adults, couples, and families navigating trauma, anxiety, relationship challenges, life transitions, stress, and emotional overwhelm. I particularly enjoy supporting individuals and couples who are ready to better understand themselves, explore relational patterns, strengthen communication, and heal from experiences that continue to impact how they show up in relationships and daily life.

My work is attachment-based, trauma-informed, and relational. I pay attention not only to what is happening on the surface, but also to the deeper emotional experiences, family dynamics, and life experiences influencing your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. I am especially mindful of cultural experiences, family systems, and the impact of past environments on emotional safety and connection.

Clients often describe me as warm, direct, insightful, and easy to talk to. My goal is to create a space where you feel seen, heard, and supported without judgment while also gently challenging patterns that may no longer be serving you. I believe healing and growth happen when we better understand ourselves, feel emotionally safe, and begin addressing things at the root.

What led me to become a therapist...

When I was a child, my mother taught me a poem called “Children Learn What They Live.” It had a big influence on me – so much so that I knew at age 15 that I wanted to work with kids.

When I was a junior in college, the unimaginable happened, as I lost my teenaged brother. That tragedy affected me profoundly, igniting a passion for turning life’s lemons into lemonade.

I had a mission: to help people who are suffering but don’t know how to change it.

Hello! I'm so excited that you are here. Welcome to the start of something new! My name is Samaria Witherspoon, but I’m commonly known as Sam. I am an author, professor as well as the founder of Hidden to Healing, LLC providing individual, couples and family counseling to those that are struggling with trauma, anxiety, overall life satisfaction, depression, aggression, grief, substance abuse, and behavioral and emotional issues.

I have a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and Human Services, I completed Certified Peer Specialist training during the semester break from my Master's program. I earned my Master's degree in Social Work from the University of Georgia. My practicum and career thus far has been in a residential program setting that means I've worked with severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI) ranging from mood disorders, personality disorders, trauma, OCD, and thought disorders.

As a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Therapist and a Christian Life Coach since 2015, I believe change is very possible. I have been a part of Atlanta’s professional community for over 28 years. My education from Mercer University (a CACREP approved school) with additional experience in intensive marriage and family mediation. I interned with Kathy Steele, an expert on complex trauma, dissociation, and other related issues. I focus on person centered therapy and solution focused. I offer cerified EMDR. Divorce and rentering the dating world is something I have spend years in assisting women.

Therapy is a "later in life" career for me. I have worked in multiple fields and with people from many backgrounds. Through this I learned that the thread connecting all of us is our desire to be able to respond rather than just react and thrive rather than just survive. What prevents this are the beliefs, experiences, and traumas that often are held in our bodies. It is when we identify and resolve these, we will live and love fully.