Graduate Faculty Focus | Amber Samuels, Ph.D.

"I am committed to advancing mental health literacy both in the classroom and through national outreach. Whether teaching graduate counseling students or engaging with communities across the country, my goal is to make mental health concepts approachable and practical."

Q&A

Program

Counseling, Clinical Mental Health (M.S.)
Counseling, School Counseling (M.S.)
4PLUS Psychology (B.A.)/Counseling (M.S.) Program

Department

Psychology & Counseling

Faculty
Graduate School
Staff

Counseling, Care & Interdisciplinary Studies in Human Behavior Graduate Programs
Psychology

11/10/2025

Amber M. Samuels, Ph.D., LPC (D.C.), NCC, CCC, is a clinician, researcher and educator based in the DMV. Samuels is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the District of Columbia, a National Certified Counselor (NCC), a Certified Career Counselor™ (CCC) and an MBTI® Certified Practitioner. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling from The George Washington University, a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Radford University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Randolph-Macon College. Samuels is currently an assistant professor of counseling at Hood College.

We spoke with Samuels about what it’s like teaching in Hood College’s counseling program and her work advocating for mental health needs outside of the classroom.

Congratulations on being named to the Forbes Health Advisory Board! What does this recognition mean to you, both personally and professionally?

Being named to the Forbes Health Advisory Board is an opportunity to advocate for the importance of mental health nationwide. Personally, this recognition affirms my lifelong commitment to mental health advocacy and education.

Professionally, it’s deeply meaningful to have a platform to contribute to national discussions on mental health and wellness—work that is both humbling and energizing. I am especially grateful for the inspiration my counseling students provide; their curiosity and passion continue to expand my perspective.

Their engagement is a constant reminder of the remarkable potential the next generation of mental health professionals has to transform our field.

How do you hope to use this opportunity to impact public conversations about mental health on a national level?

I believe mental health information should be clear, accurate and accessible to everyone.

As a professor at Hood College and a member of the Forbes Health Advisory Board, I am committed to advancing mental health literacy both in the classroom and through national outreach. Whether teaching graduate counseling students or engaging with communities across the country, my goal is to make mental health concepts approachable and practical.

Ultimately, I hope this work empowers individuals to care for themselves confidently and helps build stronger, more informed communities nationwide.

How has your experience as a faculty member at Hood College influenced your perspective on mental health advocacy and education?

My experience as a faculty member at Hood College has profoundly shaped how I approach mental health advocacy and education.

As the practicum and internship coordinator in the Department of Counseling, I am fortunate to witness our counseling graduate students championing mental health in their field placements. Watching their commitment in real-world settings continually reaffirms my belief in education’s power to inspire social change and gives me real optimism for the future of our profession.

Collaborating with dedicated students and colleagues challenges me to think critically, innovate in my teaching and remain adaptable as an advocate and educator.

What insights from your work with students at Hood do you bring into broader platforms like Forbes, where you contribute to public understanding of mental health?

My work with students at Hood College, along with my clinical practice, continually shapes the way I approach mental health topics. The questions and perspectives my students bring help me stay attuned to real-world concerns, while my clinical experiences keep me connected to lived realities.

When I contribute to broader platforms like Forbes, I aim to present mental health concepts that are clear, actionable and grounded in both professional expertise and the practical insights I gain from the classroom and clinical setting.

Together, these experiences remind me that honest, accessible conversations are essential for making a genuine impact in people’s lives.

What advice would you share with graduate students who aspire to become leaders and change-makers in the mental health field?

If I could offer advice to graduate students who want to lead and make change in this field, I’d encourage them to remain endlessly curious and actively seek out experiences, voices and perspectives that differ from their own. Stay open to learning from every person and community you encounter—each can teach you something new. Never lose sight of the fact that your work matters, even on the most challenging days, and that every act of compassion creates a ripple. Surround yourself with mentors, nurture a strong professional network and be courageous in questioning systems that no longer meet the needs of those you serve.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

It’s a joy and an honor to work alongside such inspiring students and colleagues at Hood College. Thank you for the opportunity to share my perspective and reflect on why this work matters to me.

Inspired by Dr Samuels’s story? Ready to #GOFURTHER in your career? Learn more about Hood College’s graduate programs, including the clinical mental health counseling.