Samuel Banta

Sam Banta, MA- Student

Sam Banta is a master’s-level counseling intern at Mosaic Wholeness Center in Rolling Meadows, Illinois, working with adolescents, young adults, and men who are ready to feel more like themselves, build a stronger sense of who they are, and start living a life that actually feels worth showing up for.

Who He Helps

Sam has a particular heart for people who have spent most of their lives feeling like they didn’t quite fit: too much for some rooms, not enough for others, and quietly wondering if anyone would ever actually get them. He wants every client to walk in as their whole self and feel fully seen from the very first session.

He specializes in working with:

• Adolescents and young adults navigating identity formation and the pressure to become someone they are not
• Men and young men working through the damage of toxic masculinity and finding a healthier, freer way to be
• Individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, ADHD, and work-life stress
• People who have experienced church hurt, spiritual abuse, or disillusionment with institutional Christianity
• Those who have always felt ostracized, misunderstood, or like they were too much to handle
• Clients seeking to build stronger relationships, a rooted sense of self, and genuine community

How He Works

Sam draws from person-centered therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Existential Therapy, and mindfulness, always adapting his approach to the person rather than the other way around. He is deeply committed to humanizing the therapy experience: creating a space where clients feel like people, not cases. He also believes laughter has a legitimate place in the room. Not as avoidance, but as relief, and as evidence that two people are actually connecting. Sam is an intern, which means he brings fresh energy, genuine curiosity, and a reduced session rate for clients who may benefit from more accessible care.

His Story

Sam has spent his adult life pouring into people whom others overlooked. For more than five years, he served at Christian summer camps working specifically with young men, modeling what healthy emotional expression and masculinity can actually look like when the pressure to perform is removed. During his undergraduate years at Wheaton College, he served as a resident advisor and took on community development roles, consistently gravitating toward the peers who felt most misunderstood. His background in psychology gave him that calling, and the path to counseling became the natural next step toward doing that work at a deeper, more sustainable level.

Education and Training

• MA in Mental Health Counseling (in progress), Wheaton College
• BA in Psychology, Wheaton College
• Supervised by Dr. Luis San Roman

A Little More About Sam

When he is not in sessions, Sam is training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, lifting weights, or cooking a hot meal for people who need community and a good table to gather around. He loves to laugh and finds something worth smiling about in almost any conversation. That quality is not incidental; it is part of how he does the work.

Ready to Take the First Step?

If you have been looking for someone who will actually get you, Sam would love to connect. Because he is an intern, he is available at a reduced rate. Reach out today to schedule a free consultation.