Foundation Connections

 

Raphael Fredric Samson, NCC, BC-TMH, ACS, LPC, LCADC, DRCC, never imagined that a yard sign would mark the start of his counseling career. As a college senior torn between corporate stability and pursuing his interest in mental health, he decided to follow whichever path aligned with his academic strengths. “I excelled in my clinical psychology classes and struggled everywhere else,” he recalls. Then, after a move to New Jersey, he happened to drive by a sign for a graduate program in mental health counseling. “In total, it was a sum of deep contemplation and some luck.”

In 2015, that moment of chance, paired with a lot of dedication, led him to become part of the inaugural NBCCF Minority Fellowship Program (MFP) for Addictions Counseling. Raphael describes his time as an MFP Fellow as nothing short of transformative. “Being one of the very few Asian men in the field, it allowed me to connect with other people from around the country from similar backgrounds.” The ongoing mentorship and structure from the NBCC Foundation gave him clarity and direction at a pivotal time in his career. It also introduced him to a broader professional world than he had imagined. He met counselors with diverse backgrounds and interests, and one of those connections turned into a long-standing collaboration.

 

He has worn many hats in his career, working across nonprofit mental health, private practice, and independent contracting. His work spans from adolescents and young adults to those coping with substance use and trauma. Over the years, his approach has shifted as he’s added to his skills, believing that supporting clients with an integrated approach is vital to his work.

 

“The demands of the field change and we must change as well,” he explains. Lately, he has been training in EMDR and learning Spanish in order to work more effectively with immigrant populations, which he describes as a personal and professional priority. One of his long-term goals is to be able to provide therapy in Spanish, his third language.

 

When he thinks about what success means in this profession, Raphael’s definition is straightforward. “Being a life-changing healer and having a life outside of it in the form of work–life balance.” He is committed to both. Outside of his counseling work, he practices Brazilian jiu-jitsu, which he calls a great way to de-stress after a long day. He also has a passion for travel. Having been to 15 countries in the last 3 years, his goal is to visit every country. He has visited 26 countries in total, not including travel for counseling conferences.

 

Despite the emotional challenges of the profession, Raphael remains grounded in what drew him to the profession in the first place. “In a changing environment that includes advancing technology, social media, and AI, loneliness and social isolation become a societal byproduct. Human connection and empathy are needed to bridge the gap, and being able to help in this process continues to drive me in this field.” His clinical insight is shaped not only by professional training, but by lived experience and a deep sense of purpose.

 

Raphael is not just focused on clients, either. He is also committed to the larger conversation around counselor well-being and advocacy. At the 2023 NBCC Foundation Symposium, he spoke about counselor burnout and professional advocacy, and he hopes to continue that work.

 

As someone who still surprises people when they learn he’s a therapist, Raphael embraces his role in breaking stereotypes and pushing the profession forward. Whether he is stepping onto a plane, onto the mat at a jiu-jitsu class, or into a counseling session, Raphael brings curiosity, care, and commitment into everything he does.

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