Samantha Short
Clinical Director & Registered Clinical Counsellor
Registered Clinical Counsellor (#21453)
Samantha founded Calm Waters Counselling Collective in 2025 with two primary goals: Increase access to counselling services & Create a community of counsellors that values collaboration, authentic connections, and continued growth.
In pursuit of those goals, Calm Waters offers group counselling covering a variety of topics (Social Anxiety, DBT skills, ADHD), individual counselling, consultation teams and of course- events for counsellors to connect!
Samantha also works with Fraser health as a crisis clinician for the Child & Youth Emergency Response Team, providing clinical consultation to emergency room, physicians and psychiatrists for children, youth and young adults who present with a mental health crisis.
Samantha is also on the board of directors for the Pierson Ranger Educational Foundation, aimed at providing scholarships for single mothers attending higher education across Pennsylvania.
While born and raised in South Surrey, British Columbia, she completed all of her higher education in the United States. During her time at the University of Pennsylvania, she completed over 1200 hours of internship which included biopsychosocial assessments, individual therapy, and group counselling.
Samantha provides consultations to other clinicians and physicals, supports with accessing additional services within the Fraser Health/Lower mainland region and through Vancouver Coastal Health.
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy: Samantha offers structured individual DBT Based counselling that is focused specifically on building skills for Emotion Regulation, Distress Tolerance, Interpersonal Effectiveness and Mindfulness. With DBT based individual counselling, clients have access to between session phone coaching for support with skills.
Education
MS.Ed. Mental Health & School Counselling, University of Pennsylvania
M.A. Clinical Psychology, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
B.S. Psychology & French, University of Denver
Contact Information:
(604)-834-1708
Certifications & Trainings
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy Foundations and Individual Therapy DBT Centre of Vancouver, December, 2025.
Introduction to Dialectical Behaviour Therapy - DBT Skills Training DBT Centre of Vancouver, April, 2026.
Preparing Supervisees for Today’s Most Critical Issues in Psychotherapy, The Ultimate Clinical Supervision Certificate Course. August 2026
CBT for Suicide Prevention. Beck Institute, July 2025
Child and Adolescent Mental Health- Advanced Practice, Douglas College- April 2025
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy- Level 1 Fraser Health Authority
SMART Recovery Facilitator
San’yas Anti-Racism Indigenous Cultural Safety Training, 2023
Gottman Method Couples Therapy Level 1 The Gottman Institute, 2024
Primary Areas of Practice:
Anxiety, Executive & High Stress professions related issues, Borderline Personality disorder/traits, Stress management, Self Harm, Suicidal Ideation, Substance Use, Depression (Ages 14-16 by pediatrician, family doctor or hospital referral/recommendation)
Primary modalities:
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (based & integrated), Person centred.
Virtual sessions for folks in Victoria, to Vancouver, to Kamloops, Burns Lake, Kelowna and beyond~
Availability varies as Samantha works at the hospital. Options for weekends and evenings are available.
Reduced Fee (Sliding Scale) Individual Sessions: Limited Availability
Accepting new clients on a limited basis (DBT based, Borderline Personality Disorder, Self Harm & Suicidal Ideation) or by referral from pediatrician/psychiatrist/family doctor. For urgent referrals, please call 604.834.1708. For emergencies, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.
Thoughts & Reviews
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Samantha is an excellent and committed professional and is dedicated to helping with substance use-related issues, suicidal thoughts, self-harm, and emotional regulation. I highly recommend her to those seeking Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).
Hugo da Rosa, PhD, Registered Clinical Counsellor, Burnaby, British Columbia
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Samantha is an empathetic clinician who does a wonderful job of understanding her client's concerns within their contexts and providing tools and strategies that fit their needs.
John Newke, Registered Clinical Counsellor, New Westminster, British Columbia
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I would recommend Sam to anyone. She helped me study for four major tests, which involved planning and time management help. She always held me accountable for my studying, but also continuously gave me words of encouragement. Sam is the person to go to!
Alexa Hawk. M.A. Clinical Psychology, Doctoral Student. 2024 Coaching Client