Our promotional spotlight employee for February 2026 is Samantha Ramos, Therapist - Outpatient.
This month, we are excited to spotlight Samantha Ramos, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker whose path to mental health work is grounded in compassion, resilience, and community. Before joining Penny Lane Centers, Samantha gained experience across retail, hospitality, and managed care, helping individuals access mental health services. That role inspired her to pursue a master’s degree in social work, setting her on a meaningful journey into clinical practice and advocacy.
Since joining Penny Lane, Samantha has found a supportive and heart-centered environment that aligns with her values. She credits her supervisors and colleagues for encouraging her to stay focused throughout the licensure process, and she appreciates the strong sense of community among fellow therapists. Known for her warmth and balance, Samantha brings dedication to her work while also valuing self-care, creativity, and connection, all of which help her show up fully for the clients and communities she serves.
Prior to coming to Penny Lane, I worked different jobs in both the retail and hospitality industry. Then I started a full-time job at a managed care behavioral health company helping members access mental health services, which inspired me to apply for graduate school and pursue my MSW.
After graduating from my social work program, I started working at a few different agencies and private practices, but none of them seemed to be a good fit. I was referred to PLC by a colleague, and it was such a welcoming and supportive environment.
My favorite aspect of working at PLC is the heart-centered culture. It is reflective not just of the work we do with clients, but also in the day-to-day interactions with other staff members and programs that I cross paths with at the office. 😊
Becoming a licensed clinical social worker was truly a journey – from the number of hours needed to do all the documentation and paperwork that had to be submitted. It was something that I had to work on step by step, but working at PLC helped me stay focused on the road to licensure.
My supervisor, Lucia Montiel, was very supportive of my licensure journey. I was transparent about where I was with the application process and studying, and she would always check in with me every week. The supervisors who led the pre-licensure study group also provided helpful study tips to prepare for the exam.
The education reimbursement is such a great benefit at PLC, and I have used it annually to renew my license, take CEs, and help me purchase the study guide I used to prepare for the LCSW exam. The extra PTO for study days was also extremely beneficial because it gave me a chance to just truly focus on reviewing for the exam.
I think people may be surprised to know that I enjoy going to concerts and musical theater shows. I’ve seen the production of Hamilton in 3 different cities, but my favorite musical that I saw last year is Les Misérables!
Moving to California from Manila, Philippines, when I was 8 years old. I had to adjust to the language, the culture, and make new friends at a new school. I think this experience has helped me understand some of the clients and families that we work with.
I think the best piece of advice I got (or heard) is to work hard, play hard. Working in mental health can be a lot, so it’s important to take care of yourself and have that work-life balance.
What I appreciate most about Penny Lane is the support and the community, especially with other therapists/colleagues.
I am grateful for the experience of working at Penny Lane. I’m grateful to my supervisor and for my colleagues in 106, who are always there for a good laugh in between sessions. And I’m grateful to my friends and family for supporting me on my licensure journey.
Congratulations Samantha!
