Sam Franklin

About Me

Hi, I’m Sam, a queer, gender-fluid therapist who works with adults healing from religious trauma, spiritual abuse, and identity-based harm, as well as those exploring and embracing their gender and sexuality.

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I grew up in the Catholic church, where I didn’t feel safe or fully myself. My own healing has involved untangling religious trauma and exploring what safety and belonging can look like in spirituality today. I bring that lived experience into my work, offering a warm, trauma-informed, anti-shame space to reconnect with your truth.

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Outside of therapy, I enjoy writing, watching documentaries, going to concerts, and spending quality time with my family and friends. I also enjoy pulling oracle and tarot cards and learning about astrology. While these practices are part of my personal spiritual journey, I never impose them on my clients, but I welcome them into the therapy space if they feel appropriate and supportive for you.

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Who I Work With

I work with adults healing from religious trauma, spiritual abuse, and identity-based harm, particularly where gender, sexuality, and faith intersect. I also support individuals exploring their gender identity or sexual orientation, whether they’re questioning, considering coming out, or navigating life after coming out.

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While much of my work centers on LGBTQIA2S+ clients, I also work with adults outside of the LGBTQIA2S+ community who are deconstructing harmful religious belief systems, processing shame, and reconnecting with their true selves.

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How I Work

I believe that you have your own inner wisdom and the ability to heal yourself. My role is to guide you and provide you with the tools to tap into that wisdom. I bring a warm, calm, and compassionate presence to our work together, creating space for you to express your truth and face the things you may have been afraid to say aloud.

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We move at the pace that feels best for you, and I do my best to meet you where you are. My approach is relational and centered on building a safe, supportive connection with you. I also offer concrete tools, tips, and education to help you navigate challenges in practical, realistic ways.

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I use a systemic lens, considering how relationships and the world around you shape your experiences. I’m also mindful of how systemic oppression impacts mental health and aim to hold space for healing and reclamation.

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While spirituality is part of my personal life, I never impose it in therapy. If it feels supportive to you, we can explore spiritual themes in a way that aligns with your values and feels safe.

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My approach is informed by my training in Marriage and Family Therapy, Sex Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). I’m also a MN board-approved LMFT supervisor and co-owner/co-clinical director at Apricity Counseling and Wellness.

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Anger-Guilt Individual Program

In addition to ongoing individual therapy, I also offer a short-term individual therapy program specifically designed to address anger and guilt. This program can be done independently and uses a structured approach to help clients understand, process, and work through anger, guilt, shame, anxiety, boundaries, and conflict.​ The program typically takes between 2 to 6 months, depending on pacing, and can be completed through insurance or private pay. Clients must be located in Minnesota, even for virtual sessions.

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For more information about anger, check out a news story where I speak about managing anger, as well as these blog posts: The Consequences of Built Up and Unresolved Anger and Is the World Angrier Nowadays?​​

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You can also listen to me talk about anger, guilt, shame, and their connection to parenting in this episode on the parenting podcast, "Just Don't Eff Them Up."

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Reach out to Schedule or Learn More​

To contact me for more information regarding my services or to schedule an appointment, please call me at 612-289-2038 or email me at sam@apricitycw.com. I offer a free 20-minute consultation so we can connect, talk about what you’re needing, and see if it feels like a good fit.​​​​