Samantha Long (she/her/hers) earned her doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision from The George Washington University and holds a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a specialization in children and adolescents from Northwestern University. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Missouri Western State University. Long is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Virginia and a Registered Play Therapist, with a specialization in working with children who have experienced trauma and adversity utilizing play therapy and expressive mediums.
She teaches graduate students in the counseling master’s program here at JHU and provides continuing education and consultation for students and professionals interested in play therapy and child focused clinical work. An active member of ACA, ACES, SACES, ACAC, APT, NBCC, and CSI, she serves as Vice President of the Virginia Association for Play Therapy and as co-chair of the Association for Child and Adolescent Counseling’s Social Media Committee.
Her work has been recognized with several honors, including Play Therapist of the Year (2024, VAPT), Outstanding Counselor and Supervisor Award (2024, CSI), and the Outstanding Research Award (2025, CSI). Her research interests focus on the impact of trauma and adversity on children, counselor wellness, and global mental health initiatives.
