Dr. Samuel Hickson

Dr. Samuel Hickson, is a Clinical Social Worker and Neuropsychotherapist with extensive experience in healthcare, clinical research, and the psychological impact of complex life experiences. His work focuses on helping individuals navigate disruptions in identity, trust, and direction, particularly in the context of healthcare systems, professional environments, and other structured institutions.

Dr. Hickson specializes in working with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, and burnout, as well as those impacted by institutional betrayal, moral injury, and significant life transitions. He also has experience supporting LGBTQIA+ individuals, justice-involved populations, and those navigating neurocognitive challenges, including ADHD, executive functioning difficulties, and the psychological impact of neurological and complex medical conditions.

His approach to therapy is integrative and depth-oriented, blending cognitive behavioral, narrative, psychodynamic, and trauma-focused modalities. Dr. Hickson’s work differs from more symptom-focused approaches in that it emphasizes understanding and processing the underlying experiences that have shaped a person’s current functioning. This often involves exploring difficult or complex experiences in a thoughtful and structured way to support long-term clarity, identity development, and meaningful change.

Because this work can involve engaging with emotionally significant experiences, Dr. Hickson works best with individuals who are able to maintain a level of stability and are seeking a deeper, more reflective therapeutic process. When appropriate, initial sessions may focus on strengthening coping, grounding, and readiness for this type of work.

In addition to psychotherapy, Dr. Hickson provides clinical evaluations and consultation services, including emotional support animal evaluations, gender-affirming surgery letters, and ethics and healthcare system consultation within the scope of clinical social work practice.

Dr. Hickson is currently developing a clinical framework, Archeoanthropological Narrative Neuropsychotherapy, which explores how institutional systems, identity, and human adaptation intersect to shape psychological experiences. This framework informs his approach and reflects his commitment to advancing thoughtful, systems-informed care.

He offers both in-person and teletherapy services through Illuminated Path, with flexible availability including early mornings, evenings, and weekends.