Our Approach
At Pathfinder Counseling, our mission is to provide a safe, affirming, and inclusive space where individuals of all ages and identities can explore their authentic selves, build resilience, and navigate life's challenges with confidence and support.
Meet the Team
Samantha is a licensed counselor and the owner of Pathfinder Counseling. She earned her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Texas at San Antonio and has extensive experience working in diverse mental health settings. Samantha specializes in supporting neurodivergent children, teens, and adults, and her background in diagnostic assessment and testing brings added depth and insight to her therapeutic work.
Her approach is warm, collaborative, and flexible, drawing from techniques such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and person-centered practices. Samantha is committed to creating a neurodiversity-affirming, LGBTQIA+ inclusive space where clients feel safe, respected, and understood. She enjoys helping individuals navigate anxiety, depression, identity exploration, and major life transitions.
Outside of counseling, Samantha loves reading, film photography, and traveling to National Parks with her husband. She shares her home (and sometimes sessions) with her two cats, Nigel and Nahla.
Samantha Brown
Owner, LPC
Kara is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate dedicated to helping individuals heal and thrive. She works with clients navigating anxiety, depression, life transitions, self-esteem challenges, and neurodiversity, offering a compassionate and supportive space to grow and reconnect with themselves. Kara’s priority is building a strong therapeutic relationship where collaboration leads to practical coping skills, deeper understanding of root issues, and a lasting sense of confidence and independence.
Her approach is flexible and tailored to each client’s unique needs, drawing from a variety of therapeutic techniques. Kara has extensive experience supporting neurodivergent individuals across all ages and is committed to providing personalized care for people from all walks of life. She specializes in working with children, adolescents, and families through play therapy, parent coaching, and whole-child strategies.
Outside of counseling, Kara enjoys playing tennis, checking out local coffee shops, and attending classic car shows. As a Texas native, she is a lifelong Spurs fan and loves all things Texas football (hook ‘em!).
Kara Jackson
LPC Associate
Supervised by Sarah Rivera, LPC-S
Jay Stewart
LPC Associate
Supervised by Ashley Jesse, LPC-S
Jay is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate supervised by Ashley Jesse, LPC-Supervisor. Jay obtained her Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Our Lady of the Lake University and has experience in nonprofit and private practice settings. Most of Jay’s clinical experience is grief, self-esteem, life transitions, boundary setting, and trauma. Jay sees clients ages four and up.
Jay approaches sessions with an integrative approach, tailoring interventions to each individual's needs. Jay utilizes theoretical approaches such as strength-based and solution-focused therapies and will use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Existentialism when they are a good fit for the client. Jay strongly believes the most valuable factor in successful therapy outcomes is the space to speak freely without judgment and to be truly accepted as you are.
When she is not in session, you’ll usually find her curled up in her reading nook with her dog, Gin, or outside in nature, hiking or paddleboarding. Jay enjoys creative hobbies such as painting and drawing, and loves to incorporate creativity into sessions when appropriate. Currently, she is hard at work completing her Hogwarts Lego Set.