Getting to Know You: Dr. Samantha Kaufman

Though Dr. Samantha Kaufman was new to LIHSA when she joined our staff as our School Psychologist in September, she was no stranger to Syosset. “I graduated from Syosset High School, which was just down the road!” she shared.

The daughter of two psychologists, Samantha knew from the time she was in elementary school that this was the field she also wanted to pursue. She graduated from Stony Brook University with her bachelor’s in psychology, Adelphi University with her masters in school psychology, and received her doctorate from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine School. In addition to her work at LIHSA, she maintains a private practice, specializing in personality disorders.

Growing up, Samantha loved to dance. She trained in ballet, tap, jazz, and hip hop at the Jan Martin Dance Studio. She’s looking forward to seeing LIHSA students’ dance performances!

Samantha has been working on writing a book called “Are You Analyzing Me?” She found that to be a question she was often asked on dates and is using that as inspiration for a collection of stories from her life.

A huge animal lover, Samantha has a five-year old Husky/German Shepherd mix named Pringles at home. She views dogs as very therapeutic and gives people the purest kind of love.

Samantha loves true crime shows and horror films, especially the older ones like ones starring Vincent Price. “Old films transport you to another time so you can really escape,” she said.

Samantha considers herself quirky and especially likes oddities, as evidenced by her collections. She collects exotic deadly bugs (that are no longer alive), fossils, and artifacts. She also thinks ancient Egypt is the “coolest time period ever!”

She loves being at LIHSA. “It’s a natural meshing and the students and I vibe so well.”

We’re so glad you’re at LIHSA, Samantha!