Samantha Bickham, LMHC, EMDR Therapist

02/26/2026

As clinicians, we know how powerful a strong therapeutic connection can be.

The relationship between client and therapist truly matters and often plays a significant role in the progress someone makes in therapy.

That’s why we believe it’s so important for people seeking therapy to feel prepared and informed.

Knowing what to look for, how to gather referrals, and what to expect during a consultation can make the process feel much less overwhelming.

We recently put together a blog on how to find the right therapist and what to expect along the way.

If you or someone in your network is considering therapy, we hope this feels helpful. 🩵

What do you think matters most when choosing a therapist?

Feel free to take a look and share with anyone who might benefit.

Learn how to find the right therapist, where to get trusted referrals, how to make your decision, and what to expect during a therapy consultation so you can feel confident taking the next step.

02/25/2026

It’s Eating Disorder Awareness Week 🦋

Eating disorders don’t discriminate. They impact people of all ages, genders, body sizes, and backgrounds — even though harmful stereotypes still suggest otherwise.

Too often, people are overlooked because they don’t “look” sick enough. Weight stigma, cultural bias, and misinformation delay support and keep many struggling in silence.

Awareness matters because early support changes outcomes. Recovery is possible, and no one should have to navigate it alone.

If you or someone you love is struggling, our team at Calming Tides Counseling is here to help. You can connect with us through the link in our bio to take the first step toward support.

02/18/2026

Jenelle Coolidge, a therapist at Calming Tides Counseling, often sits with clients who are living with chronic pain and feeling discouraged after having tried so many different treatments.

She recently created a blog on fibromyalgia and how chronic pain can be driven by the nervous system, not just structural damage.

She explores how Pain Reprocessing Therapy offers a research-informed approach that focuses on retraining the brain’s pain response and restoring a sense of hope.

If you or someone you work with is navigating fibromyalgia or persistent pain, I hope this resource feels both validating and informative.

Feel free to read and share with anyone who may benefit. 🩵

Learn what fibromyalgia is, why chronic pain can persist without structural damage, and how Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) helps retrain the brain to reduce symptoms and restore quality of life.

02/13/2026

How do you know when it is time to start therapy?

It is a question many people sit with quietly for a long time.

Maybe you have been feeling overwhelmed more often.

Maybe the same patterns keep showing up in your relationships.

Or maybe you are holding it all together on the outside but feeling worn down on the inside.

In this blog, our team share's some of the signs that therapy might be a helpful next step and what beginning the process can actually look like.

If you have been wondering whether additional support could make a difference, we hope this offers some clarity and reassurance.

Feel free to read and share with anyone who might need it.

Wondering if therapy is right for you? Learn the common signs it may be time to start therapy, how counseling can help you build coping skills, set boundaries, and improve relationships, and what to expect when taking that first step toward support.

02/02/2026

This past Friday, myself & Jenelle Coolidge attended a poetry night in honor of Human Trafficking Awareness Month 🤍

It was a powerful reminder of how healing and connection can happen through shared voices, stories, and presence.

We spent the evening listening to poetry by the fire, enjoying the cold weather, and taking in the peaceful space at Painted Oaks Academy, surrounded by the horses and the incredible community at Life Reins, Inc..

We’re so grateful for spaces that invite reflection, advocacy, and humanity, and for opportunities to show up, listen, and support our community in meaningful ways.

02/02/2026

Honored to stand alongside the National Alliance for Eating Disorders for this year's Rally for Recovery in Orlando, FL.

The Calming Tides team is proud to support eating disorder awareness and recovery and we invite our community to join us.

Learn more & sign up here --->

Please help me in supporting the National Alliance for Eating Disorders' 2026 Rally for Recovery, Orlando!

01/21/2026

Supporting someone you love through substance use can feel overwhelming... but you don’t have to figure it out alone.

Supporting a loved one who is struggling with substance use can feel heavy, emotional, and often isolating. Many people want to help but aren’t sure how to show up in a way that’s supportive without losing themselves in the process.

We recently shared a blog that walks through compassionate, evidence-informed ways to support loved ones impacted by substance use disorders. From understanding recovery to setting healthy boundaries and caring for your own well-being along the way.

At Calming Tides Counseling, our practice offers specialized therapy for individuals struggling with substance use and co-occurring mental health concerns, as well as support for family members navigating the relational impact of addiction.

We’re always open to connecting with community partners, providers, and loved ones to share more about the care we offer.

✨ Feel free to read and share this resource with clients, colleagues, or loved ones who may benefit: https://www.calmingtidesfl.com/blog/supporting-loved-ones-with-substance-abuse-recovery-strategies

No one should have to navigate this alone and support can make a meaningful difference.

Supporting a loved one through substance abuse recovery can feel overwhelming, emotional, and deeply personal. This article explores how compassion, education, and trauma-informed support can make a meaningful difference—while also honoring the importance of caring for your own mental health.

01/13/2026

What if pain doesn’t have to feel like a threat?

Chronic pain can keep the nervous system in high alert, making each day feel heavier and more exhausting. That’s where Somatic Tracking comes in — a gentle, evidence-informed technique that helps people notice pain with curiosity instead of fear, retraining the brain and nervous system over time.
In my latest blog, I break down what somatic tracking is, how it works, and why it’s such a powerful tool within Pain Reprocessing Therapy, especially when traditional approaches to pain relief don’t fully help.

🧠 This isn’t about “ignoring pain.”

It’s about changing the story the body and brain tell about it.

Whether you’re a clinician, a friend supporting someone in pain, or someone living with chronic symptoms yourself, I hope this piece offers insight and a sense of possibility.

🔗 Read more here: https://www.calmingtidesfl.com/blog/what-is-somatic-tracking

Let us know your thoughts: have you used somatic tracking in your work or healing journey? We'd love to hear! 💬

Healing from chronic pain is possible with the right support. Our team includes a clinician who specializes in chronic pain therapy and helps clients build safety, confidence, and relief in their bodies. Reach out today to schedule a consultation -- Calmingtidesfl.com

Somatic tracking is a gentle, mind–body approach that helps you observe physical sensations with curiosity rather than fear. By learning to feel your body safely, many people experience relief from chronic pain, anxiety, and trauma-related symptoms—without pushing or forcing change.

01/07/2026

🌟 Join Us at the Orlando Rally for Recovery! 🌟

Calming Tides Counseling is proud to partner with the National Alliance for Eating Disorders at the 2026 NOT ONE MORE: Rally for Recovery – Orlando!

This inspiring community event is happening on Saturday, February 14, 2026 at Lake Eola Park in downtown Orlando — with registration and check-in starting at 9:00 AM.

This meaningful day brings our community together to:
✨ Celebrate recovery from eating disorders
🎤 Hear from motivational speakers
💜 Honor loved ones we’ve lost
🎉 Participate in fun, empowering activities like the Southern Smash event — smashing scales as a symbolic proclamation of body empowerment and recovery…and much more!

Funds raised through the Rally directly support free, weekly, therapist-led, virtual support groups that help individuals and loved ones in all stages of recovery.

💛 What you can do:
Attend the Rally and show up for this important cause
Donate to support life-affirming programs
Fundraise or become a sponsor — help reach even more people in need.

👉 Register or donate here: https://secure.qgiv.com/event/2026orlandorally/

💫 About the National Alliance for Eating Disorders:
The Alliance is the leading national nonprofit dedicated to supporting people struggling with eating disorders and their loved ones. They provide free, weekly therapist-led support groups, a therapist-staffed helpline offering personalized referrals, education and presentations, advocacy for improved access to care, and inclusive, empowering events like scale smashing and community workshops — all geared toward eliminating stigma and creating real pathways to recovery.

🌊Calming Tides Counseling will be there and we are excited to see the community show up in support of recovery, raise awareness, and stand with those affected by eating disorders. 💙

Together we can make a difference and help ensure Not One More life is lost or defined by this struggle.

Please help me in supporting the National Alliance for Eating Disorders' 2026 Rally for Recovery, Orlando!

12/02/2025

We often talk about holiday cheer… but not the stress, sadness, and overwhelm so many people quietly carry this time of year.

Whether someone is struggling with grief and loss, difficult family dynamics, loneliness, or social anxiety, it’s important to remember that these experiences are valid and far more common than we talk about.

Calming Tides Counseling’s latest blog gently explores why the holidays can feel heavy. It reminds us that every emotional experience is valid, not just the merry ones.

✨ Read the full blog here: https://www.calmingtidesfl.com/blog/understanding-holiday-emotional-stress

If it resonates, feel free to share it with someone who might benefit from knowing they’re not alone.

Struggling this holiday season? Discover the common emotional challenges people face like grief, anxiety, burnout, and family pressure. & Learn why you’re not alone in feeling this way.

11/10/2025

What does it really mean to be trauma-informed?

It’s more than a therapy approach, it’s a commitment to safety, compassion, and empowering each person’s healing process.

In this blog, we explore how trauma-informed therapy helps you feel supported, understood, and safe enough to begin truly healing.

At Calming Tides Counseling, all of our clinicians are trauma-informed and passionate about helping you heal at your own pace.

If you’re looking for trauma therapy in Central Florida, we’re here to walk alongside you...one step at a time.

Read the full blog here!

Looking for trauma therapy in Central Florida? Learn how trauma-informed care empowers you to heal from the inside out with the guidance of a compassionate EMDR and trauma-informed therapist.