Samantha Saks is the owner and sole clinician at Journey to Meliora, LLC, where she specializes in trauma-informed care with a strong focus on mind-body integration. In addition to talk therapy, Samantha has integrated mind-body work into her practice by running mindfulness-based functional fitness groups to promote nervous system flexibility. Through these practices, Samantha has developed a strong interest in Polyvagal Theory, which she believes is the intervening variable that provides the scientific basis for trauma healing and nervous system work. Samantha has pursued further Polyvagal Theory education, completing the Clinical Applications in Polyvagal Treatment with Deb Dana and Stephen Porges Training. Samantha co-facilitates Polyvagal Theory workshops and consultation groups alongside Samantha Grimaldi, sharing their transformative knowledge with clinicians and helping them apply these principles in their clinical settings. Together, Samantha Saks and Samantha Grimaldi have been facilitating discussions and trainings on Polyvagal Theory to therapists since 2020, starting at a group practice they worked at together. The Sams empower others to integrate Polyvagal-informed care into their therapeutic work, supporting healing and resilience in trauma survivors.

Samantha Grimaldi is the owner and sole clinician at CoCreate Healing Center, LLC. Specializing in trauma-informed care and complex trauma, Samantha integrates Polyvagal Theory into her work with adults who have experienced childhood and relational trauma. Her passion for understanding the nervous system’s role in healing stems from both her professional and personal experiences, including her own journey with vasovagal syncope. This has driven her to explore the autonomic nervous system’s impact on trauma and healing, making Polyvagal Theory the cornerstone of her therapeutic approach. Samantha completed Deb Dana's Six-Month Immersive Foundations of Polyvagal Informed Practice Training, further deepening her expertise in applying this theory to clinical practice. Together with Samantha Saks, Samantha Grimaldi co-facilitates Polyvagal Theory workshops and consultation groups, providing clinicians and clients with the tools to understand and regulate their nervous systems. Since 2020, the Sams have been facilitating discussions and trainings on Polyvagal Theory to therapists, beginning at a group practice they worked at together. Samantha is dedicated to helping both clinicians and trauma survivors apply Polyvagal-informed care to foster safety, connection, and long-lasting healing.