August 12, 2020
UFLAC Announces Expansion of Behavioral Health Team
UFLAC is thrilled to announce the expansion of our Behavioral Health Team with the addition of Clinical Psychologist Dr. Samantha Tamburro, who will work alongside Dr. Steve, and Vera Rodriguez, who was brought on board as a Behavioral Health Intern at UFLAC’s Center for Health and Wellness.
Recognizing that the fire service is a unique workplace, we knew that we did not just want to find competent clinicians, but we also sought professionals who had knowledge of the fire service culture. It is widely recognized today that cultural competency is important for a clinician to be effective in the fire service environment.
Dr. Samantha Tamburro is a licensed Clinical Psychologist and has been working in the Conejo Valley for 25 years. Dr. Tamburro graduated with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Psychology from the University of Southern California. She received her doctorate degree from Pepperdine Universit
Dr. Tamburro has been in the fire family for 22 years. She is married to a Glendale Fire Captain and has three teenage daughters. She understands the stressors and benefits that come along with a fire service career and will be an incredible resource for our members and their families in her work with children, adolescents, and adults.
Vera is a Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (No. AMFT #120027), supervised by Dr. Steve (LMFT #7666). Vera recently graduated with her master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from USC after completing her B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Applied Psychology from UC Santa Barbara. She is currently working to complete her hours to become a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Over the past year, Vera worked as an MFT Trainee at a private high school where she provided individual and family counseling, as well as crisis intervention.
Vera has a passion to work with Firefighters as her father is a Captain for LACoFD. Growing up in a fire family, she has experienced both the challenges and the strengths that come with the nature of the job and recognizes the role mental health can play. As an AMFT, Vera can provide individual, couple, and group counseling.
Dr. Tamburro and Vera have a tremendous respect for the sacrifices, courage, and selflessness that Firefighters and their loved ones make every day, and this fuels their inspiration to work with our members and their families. In their short time at UFLAC, they have already worked with the Peer Support Team, assisted with debriefings and defusings in the aftermath of critical incidents, and participated in a webinar that focused on communicating with your child from a fire family perspective.
Please join me in welcoming Dr. Samantha Tamburro and Vera Rodriguez to our Team!
Dr. Steve Froehlich
Behavioral Health Services Director
United Firefighters of Los Angeles City, IAFF Local 112
Office: 1-800-252-8352, Ext. 245
Cell: 818-645-9027
Dr. Samantha Tamburro
Cell: 805-231-3032
Vera Rodriguez
Cell: 949-939-0640
