New Hope Counseling: Bridging Gaps in Mental Health

In this Business Spotlight episode, we sit down with Sala Tauanuu Afalava, a licensed mental health therapist and a 15-year veteran of the US Army. Sala, the owner of New Hope Counseling PLLC in Washington State, shares her unique journey from military service to becoming a therapist dedicated to helping her community.

Sala's story is not just about starting a business; it's about breaking down barriers and creating a safe space for Pacific Islanders to seek mental health support. Her online practice, born out of necessity during the COVID-19 pandemic, has allowed her to provide convenient and culturally sensitive therapy to her clients.

Listen in as Sala discusses the challenges and triumphs of running her own practice, her dedication to helping clients find the right therapist, and the profound impact of offering therapy in her native language. Discover how Sala is making a difference in the mental health landscape and empowering her community to prioritize their well-being.

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Sala Afalava, a trailblazer in the mental health field, as she shares her journey and the mission behind New Hope Counseling PLLC.

Sponsors:
Matai
Independent Island Insurance
Natin But Grindz
Pasifika Corned Beef Kitchen

988 has been designated as the new three-digit dialing code for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (now known as the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline). We can all help prevent suicide. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.

Transcript

Welcome to another episode of Behind a Lava Lava. My name is Johnny. I will be your host this evening. Uh, today we got a little, uh, special guest, uh, a special treat for you guys. I'm joined by my co-host, Spencer Harvin and Michael Tan. And so before we get into this, uh, like this episode is brought to you by Behind or by Mattia watches, , get yourself a little piece of history, you know, uh, something to portray your heritage and, and yeah.

So going right into this, , we got a special guest for you. Her name is, uh, Sala.

, she is a, uh, therapist out of, uh, Washington State. Uh, she's also a 15 year veteran of, uh, US Army. Thank you for your service, by the way. And,  we like to do these little business highlights because we feel that a lot of our people who have started businesses. , really need to get the word out, and we're just a little bit of a, an avenue, a little bit of stepping stone to help us along or to help you along, and those who have businesses who are interested.

And maybe our, our platform might reach out to a few or maybe a lot. But, uh, uh, before we get into this, I'd like to, uh, give the chance to sala. Go ahead and introduce yourself a little bit about yourself personally and professionally, some of your credentials. Uh, so sala Yeah, take it ahead. Yeah. Thank you, uh, Johnny for the opportunity.

Thank you everyone behind the Lava Lava for, um, this amazing opportunity to, to be one of your guest speaker. Um, so, uh, a little bit about me personally. My name is Sala Nuva. , I am a mother of two amazing, handsome boys and, um, husband. I married, we've been married for I think, 17 years this year. Uh, we were both in the military, um, and that's where we met.

So, um, I. Uh, professionally, I am a licensed mental health therapist here in the state of Washington.  I have my own, uh, private practice that I'm currently working out of and seeing clients, um, and then also doing a lot of, um, different community work that um, I think you'll get to hear about later on.

 And. Also currently a student. I went back to school to, um, get my doctorate. So, um, just staying busy. but that's, hopefully that's enough info just to kind of get everybody interested a little bit about, uh, me and, uh, a little bit of what I do.

Thank you. Well, welcome onto the show. Uh, now can you tell us a little bit about your business? Um, your business is called New Hope Counseling. Mm-hmm. It is strictly online, correct? Yes. Yes, that's correct. And, but you're still based outta Washington State, so tell us, tell us about that, please. Yeah, so my business is called, uh, new Hope Counseling, P L L C.

Um, again, like I'm a licensed mental health therapist in Washington, so, um, therefore in terms of like, you know what I do. Uh, like as services, , I work with people that are experiencing, uh, mental health difficulties. And I see them mainly online. And I think, um, when I, when I started my business, it was in 2020 when Covid and everything just kind of kicked off and it was a lot more convenient to be able to.

Um, to see clients online versus being in person.  And then everything just, I've just been, you know, seeing clients that way via telehealth just because it's not only for my convenience, , but also for my client's convenience as well.

Nice. Now, uh, is it, Are your services specific or is it like a broad range of mental health, or do you like dial in or do you specialize in Yeah. Certain topics or certain types of mental health? Yeah, uh, for sure. Um, so I work mainly, um, with anxiety type disorders and also, um, people experiencing traumatic situations.

 And then also, uh, I enjoy working with couples. So, um, I see, I also see a lot of couples with, you know, different, um, relationship type concerns. Things like that. , and then I just do also a lot of, , like speaking engagement type of events locally in Washington. But I would say like my focus is mainly just, uh, anxiety type disorders, trauma, um, and then yeah, just kind of doing a lot of, uh, speaking engagement type stuff.

So could you touch or share on why you. Why be a therapist? Why mental health and, and counseling? What inspired you to take this journey? Yeah, um, great question. So I think I. , growing up, I wanna say, if I was to be able to reflect back in my life growing up, um, I've always had these, , I would say my cousins would say strengths in me where, um, I was always a good listener, you know, type of deal where my cousins are the ones that's always coming up to me and I'm the one that everybody tells their problems too.

And I'm the one that everyone's kind of like going to for advice and that kind of stuff. And they've always highlighted like that type of strength in me that I never really saw Then. But if I was to reflect on it now, I'm like, oh, I definitely had, , some of these qualities, um, or some of these strengths that, would, you know, say make for a great therapist.

But my journey really didn't start off that way, as you just know, like I've, I been in a military for a few years and then getting out of the military and trying to figure out, , what, what that life and what that transition is like outside of the military, uh, especially after you. Been in for such a, a long time, and then you get out, it's like, okay, what do I do now?

But then just, you know, going to school and I, I went to school not even really knowing I was just going, just to like, you know, because the military's paying for it. Why not? That's, that's my benefits right there. So going to school, military's paying for it. But it wasn't until later on in my undergraduate, um, and, and getting my undergrad in social work.

Then I really realized that I really enjoy like interpersonal type of connection with people.  And again, that kind of brought up to me or reminded me of like some of my own strengths and what I can kind of bring into that space. So I then like it after, um, getting my bachelor's in, in social work, I was like, okay, so now what?

Like, should I just, uh, work in a community and do social work and that kind of stuff? But,  I really, I think at that time I really just wanted to learn more and I, again, I wanted to not really, um, like work in that infield of social, but I, I just wanted that one-on-one, , connection with, with people and to work with people like one-on-one and in that setting.

 And then just looking around and like all the different, um, schools in my area and then finding what kind of programs that they offer that kind of maybe match. What I wanted to do at that time. So then finding out like, okay, there's a counseling psychology thing, and then. It took a while for me to kind of like, let that sit in my mind, like, be a counselor, be a therapist, you know, because it's not really something, first of all, there's not really a field that a lot of, uh, Samoan people go into, you know?

So, you know, you, you, you have a lot of our community members that are going into, you know, being a lawyer or, you know, being in business and that kind of stuff. But when you're talking about like being a therapist, being a counselor, like it's, it's almost like it was something new for me. But I, when I, the more I looked into it and, and just realized, like, okay, so a counselor, a, a therapist is someone that can like, really sit in that space, uh, one-on-one with people and just be able to, to, to try and work things out with people.

And to me that was huge. So, Um, I was like, okay, well let me just give this a try. I really didn't like psychology.  I'm a person of faith, and I felt like psychology was like, Ooh, I don't know. But then the more I, I got into it and the more I was able to, um, learn about the field, I think that sort of like, really, I kind of fell into it because then I was like, oh my gosh, this is so me.

This is, this fits my personality, this fits, like really what I wanna do. , and then after I got my master's, um, in counseling psychology and became a licensed therapist and all that,  I again wanted to pursue more in my field, and the reason why I am now in my doctorate program. So yeah. Hopefully that wasn't too long of an answer.

No, no, not at all. And, and in fact, it, I just wanna point out you must have some real passion for your work and, uh, some real confidence in your abilities because when you consider, you said you were in the Army for 15 years, I believe, and uh, you know, that's the way a lot of the soldiers will look at that.

I'm like, Hey, I'm three-fourths of the way to retirement. Oh yeah. But the fact that you're like, you know what? I don't need these five years. I've got bigger, better things to go do. I think that says a lot. And so I, I commend you on that because like you said, it's a common theme where soldiers have issues like transitioning from military life to civilian life and finding their purpose.

So I'm glad that you found one that you're passionate about.  Now I just wanted to ask because, uh, You know, we're starting to hear a lot more in the social sphere, people talking about mental health, which is a good thing because, uh, you know, it's obviously a very important thing and one that's been, you know, traditionally neglected in American society.

And we're hearing people talk about it more, but I don't know if that exactly means that we've got more people going into that field to offer that help that people need. And so I'm glad that you're doing that. And on that note, I just wanted to ask, . Uh, what is it that sets New Hope Counseling apart from other businesses in the same industry?

Like obviously, like you're trying to keep your business going, but you're also part of a larger community that altogether is trying to help people. So like what, what exactly do you offer that sets you apart from your competitors, so to speak? . Yeah. I, I wanna say like, um, when you're talking about like, what makes my business unique, I think it is unique in the sense that it is a, it's, it's a private healthcare setting.

Um, and I think a lot of people like don't realize that and they'll, you know, they'll see it as like, oh, it's a business, right? But it's, it's not really one of those business that you're like, you know, Like how, how everything else, where there's advertisement, that kind of stuff. Right? Because like we're talking about mental health, we're talking about a space where, you know, people are going through a lot of difficult things and this is where they're going to, right?

So I think, like I said, uh, a lot of people, when they think about like my business, I, or at least when I think about it, it's like, I think it's. Different and unique in the sense that it's a healthcare setting.  And you know, so things like confidentiality, things like hipaa, things like my client rights, uh, things like licensure,  comes into play and why I think it's, it's a lot more, uh, different than like, you know, you and any other business where it's like they're trying to sell a service, right?

It's like unfortunately, like, I'm here because of, you know, a lot of the, the things that people are going through, right. So it's, it's, I think like, um, in that, in that way and in that sense it's kind of unique, but then I, I wanna be able to like, look at it and hopefully people are able to look at it as like it's a healthcare setting.

 Because if you, if you guys think about it too, like with our community, um, Going into seek mental health services. There's still a lot of stigma around it. There's still a lot of, you know, things that are taboo. Um, you know, 'cause we're, we're more likely to just kind of sweep things under the carpet versus going and talking to a professional about it.

Uh, we're more inclined to, you know, keep things in the family. And whatever I'm going through, you know, let me, let me go pray about it. Let me go talk to my pastor about it. but then considering, you know, a professional, um, that really is, um, kind of like equipped or, or is able to be in this field and is able to help them, it's like sometimes they don't really think of it in that way.

So I, I, I think like when you're talking about like what makes it unique, , again, I go back to, you know, it's just unique in the, in the sense that like it's a healthcare setting and I think maybe a lot of people don't really see it as that, if that makes sense.

Yeah, totally. And, uh, I I also wanted to touch a little bit on the fact that you mentioned that there's not a lot of, uh, Polynesians that get into this line of work , Along those lines, like, um, how does your cultural background as a therapist of Samo nationality influence your work, would you say? Oh my gosh, so much.

So much. Because I often get so many people that are coming, like, you know, I, you know, I'm, they're looking for someone that looks like them. Like that's, and you can, you know, I, I also work with, um, Another one of my, uh, colleagues, like we are, we are the only two Samoan mental health therapist in the entire state of Washington.

Two Samoan mental health therapists. So, everybody, pi, community, Pacific Islander communities that are seeking these services. It's like, it, it means so much to them to be able to find someone in this field that. All, all automatically at the get go, knows about their culture. Like they don't have to sit there and try to explain to,  you know, and, and to, to explain to, like, say, for example, like a white therapist about their culture.

Like they come in and I already have the knowledge about, uh, the Psalm one culture so that it's like they don't have to explain those things. Um, so it's, it's a lot of it has to do with. Wow. Like I have someone that looks like me and now they already feel comfortable to be able to talk about some of the difficult things that they're going through.

It's amazing. Um, it, because it's like pioneering, you know, you're walking down a path and a lot of people walk and you're starting to provide a service that normally we would go to. Uh, someone else for a nod of our nationality. So I commend you on that. So ask yourself, if I were to die tonight, would my family struggle to make just next month's bills? Not to mention every month after that, If you answered yes to that question, then life insurance is your best way to help your family. Be prepared now. None of us. None of us know when we're going to go back home.

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Remember, with life insurance, you're either early or late, you're never on time.  So I know I. Spencer touched on this earlier and I was wondering, do you receive a lot of clientele or do you have a lot of clientele that are a Pacific Islander or do you cater to a lot of Pacific Islanders and or, and two parts?

And if so, um, how hard was it to get them to open up? I mean, I know there's a lot of pride involved with our culture, so I mean, I know I wouldn't do well in therapy, but that's just my own opinion. I. I might flake under pressure, so I don't know.

Um, so yeah, great question again. Uh, so I would say, um, at least for my caseload right now, I'd say I get a good fair amount. And, um, also that, uh, a huge part of that is because. I also partner with a local nonprofit that focuses mainly on Asian Pacific Native Hawaiian, um, population here in Washington. So they're huge nonprofit organization and they just focus on AA and H P I communities.

So I get a lot of referrals because they, they sponsor therapy sessions. They sponsor like five therapy sessions for people. So, um, when I partner with them, I not only, um, teach community classes, mental health community classes, , for them, but they would also like, if. Anyone from those community classes, um, are interested in starting therapy, , they get to, you know, come see me or my, my colleague.

And then that organization is sponsoring five session, five therapy sessions. , so I do get a fair amount right now. I think when I first started, um, I would get probably two or three here and there for the entire year.  And then when they do come in, honestly, it's, it's like as soon as it's like, they're very excited because they, they've seen a Samoan,  therapist because they, they think I'm like, non-existent.

So they're very excited for one, and we're already connecting. And then two, like, no, they, they just open up. And I, I know, I know that might be surprising, but like, I think they're just really excited. It's like, wow. Like it's, it's a Samoan therapist, you know, so they. They already feel like there's a connection there, which is why I say like, uh, for them, when they do reach out and they are going through mental health, um, issues, it does matter a lot that they are finding someone that looks like them.

At least that's what we're getting. I. At least that's what they're get. At least that's what we are getting on our end. It's like, oh my gosh. Like it is, so even Hawaiian people and so any of the Pacific Islander or people, even just them, um, finding me and my colleague and they're like, well, it's you're, you're from the islands, you know?

So it's like already we have this connection and then they're able to, to open up. So, um, in my experience, at least I can speak for myself and my experience. I'd say like, you know, when they do come in, They are a lot, they are very open and they're able to, I think they're a lot more comfortable because it's, it's, um, it's me.

Yeah. I think it's very important to, to have, to have people who, who we can relate to, because I've gone through the VA therapist and a, a local private. Uh, company out here for, for marriage counseling and, and both counseling sessions.

I wasn't able to relate to them mainly because, you know, when we first started out, I asked him straight up, do you know anything about Pacific Islanders? Do you know what a samon is? Do you know what this is? But the, the only thing they would reference to is Hawaii. But at the same time, they don't know anything about Hawaii. . All they know is what they see from TV and, and now they have to go do their homework and figure out what makes our people click. So, you know, during my sessions, well with my, my VA therapist, uh, I was like, man, this, this Langi telling me what to do. Now he's sending me off to do homework and do this throughout the week.

And. You know, every week I would meet with him. Mm-hmm. But yeah, I was meeting with him face to face and talking, talking to him, but there was nothing that I could, you know, connect with him. Mm-hmm. With, personally to me, he was just, uh, someone who, who was just telling me what to do, uh, telling me the steps I can do to, to help me with my depression and my suicide.

Suicidal of thought. So it helped me. But long term, because I don't have that connection, because he wasn't, you know, Sam or Pacific Islander, uh, it became like a hassle for me. It was just another appointment for me to make because, you know, he wasn't a, someone like a friend that I could talk to, that I could talk to.

Mm-hmm. So that, that was my experience with a therapist and I think it's very important. For people to find the right therapist. Mm-hmm. 'cause especially for like, things like marriage, marriage counseling. Mm-hmm. If you go to the wrong therapist,  it'll just add on to your troubles. Like, we went, the first therapist we went and saw, uh, he was just going reading through the, you know, just going through the, the routines and we knew that he was new.

He, he, he wasn't connecting with us. Mm-hmm. Then the second therapist that we went to, uh, she, she helped out a lot. Mm-hmm. So, so my question to you, or as a business owner, what were some of the challenges that you faced in the mental health, uh, counseling field? . Oh gosh. Like a. Uh, before I answer that question, I, I wanna go back to, to what you said about, um, the importance of finding the right therapist.

I 100% agree, 100% agree. And, um, what I always tell, um, you know, clients or new clients that are, are seeking services, Is I give this 30 minute consultation and I tell them, this is just a, you get to know me and I get to know you appointment. There is no pressure even after you talking to me for 30 minutes today.

And you feel like, oh man, Sala just talks way too much. I don't think, I don't think I'm gonna connect with her. I don't think I'm gonna get a word in because like Sala just talks way too much. You know? It's like, even if, if that's how you feel after. That is absolutely fine. I would recommend it. I will give you recommendations, um, because it is really, really important that you find a therapist that you're able to connect with.

And we get a lot of people that are like that. You know, they don't even know that it's like, it's okay to shop around for a therapist, um, because it, you know, that initial meeting and for you to connect with, with a therapist like that plays so much into how your therapy is going to go. I. Like that therapeutic alliance is so important and it is key to you being able to open up to trusting this person.

Um, and then just con kind of like, you know, continuing on with therapy from there. So, I am, I, I, if anything, I, I'm the kind of therapist that will tell my new clients, like, look, even after this 30 minutes, like I, I, my goal is to counsel myself out of a job. Like, I don't wanna keep, like, I don't think people should be in therapy for the rest of their lives unless they really, really need to.

Like we all go through things where, you know, you kind of need that third person to be able to help kind of, uh, guide or navigate some of the things that you're going through. But I'm not gonna be here and, you know, try to make sure that you keep coming and seeing me. Like I will. If, if you are not doing well a year from now, , I'm gonna, I'm gonna need to reevaluate myself.

And it's like, okay, what am I not doing? Because I don't see any, any progress, you know, with this client. Like, what is going on? Is there something else that I, that I'm missing? Right? So it goes into all of that, but. None of that works if this therapeutic alliance, this alliance between, um, the therapist and the client is not there.

So it plays a huge part. So I cannot stress enough, um, how important that is. So thank you, Michael, for, for mentioning that because that is huge in therapy to be able to find the right therapist that you're able to, um, to connect with. So,  going back to your questions about. Gosh, being the challenges of, of being a business owner, right?

Like, oh, I, I feel like for me, , it's just getting used to the business side of things itself. Like, um, I have a degree and being a therapist, I don't have an M B A I, I had to like, learn all of this business stuff like on my own. And that's, that's not something that I was, you know, that they. You know, kind of factored into our therapist degree.

So everything, I feel like it's been, what, two, three years now since I've opened my, my business is, um, is there, there is a lot of challenges as far as like, I have to get used to like, okay, like this is what you, you know, file every year for taxes. I'm like, oh, I don't like doing that. You know, I just need to pay someone to, to, to be able to, to do that.

But when you're talking about like, The biggest challenges that I face as a business owner. For me, it's just being able to get used to the business side of things because,  like I said, I don't have an M B A, um, I, I have a degree in being a therapist and that's what I'm good at. So, um, every year I feel like I'm learning to be a business owner.

Um, but at the same time I'm also maybe learning to be able to find out what I can, um, outsource. You know what I can, um, you know, really have to be able to pay someone to do versus me having to like do that, but recognizing that, okay, this is obviously not my strength, so I need to outsource that to someone else that maybe that's their specialty.

 When it comes to the business side of things.

That's really neat and, uh, you know, thanks for speaking on that as well. And the, the, the idea of finding the right. Therapists. And because you know, for me, a lot of things that, a, a very important thing is sincerity. And, um, it's one of those things that I'll, I'll get a little apathetic about, uh, uh, you know, especially through the military side of things, because, you know, I, you know, uh, every quarter you've gotta do your sharp training or your suicide prevention mm-hmm.

And whatnot. And those are good things. And I don't doubt that there are, I know there are, uh, Positive soldiers and, and, uh, government workers that are passionate about providing help for soldiers. But over time it kind of feels like, oh, this is more of the army's, uh, transfer of liability, uh, uh, training.

Like if something happens to you, they can say, oh, no, no, we got the sign in roster right here. Mm-hmm. So you can't blame us. We, we gave him this class, you know? Mm-hmm. But for you to basically just say it right out, I'm here to, mm-hmm. Uh, talk myself out of a job over time. Mm-hmm. That is the goal. It's, it's, uh, that's a true test of sincerity, and I'm glad that, uh, that's something that you offer.

I just wanted to go back as well to, uh, the challenges of running this business now. We're very, uh, you know, you said this, uh, started because of Covid. You've made the adjustment to do online. Mm-hmm. Uh, sessions. I just wanted to ask you like, um, So what unique challenges do you think you are presented with being an online private practice?

Like is, do you find it very convenient or is it just extra challenging in its own way? Yeah, I, for me it's very convenient, especially with,  um, with my current, um, I guess like lifestyle as far as like, you know, I'm also attending school. Right. So I am at my school campus two, three days out of the week.

So, , doing everything online also affords me the ability to be able to. Uh, drop my kids off at school and pick my kids up after school, and then being able to make dinner for them before I, you know, I head off to school or something. Um, so it affords me a lot of, um, ability to be able to do a lot of those things that are important to me and my family.

, and then also like, as far as like challenges I would say, like, , when it comes to clients, uh, The, my, uh, elderly population, uh, clients are the ones that's usually kind of struggling with, with, uh, maybe navigating, um, technology and things like that. So,  i, when I do get those clients that are maybe not as, um, tech savvy or like, I'll send them the link and they, they kind of need me to talk them through,  clicking on the link, making sure they download the app, you know, that kind of stuff.

, that. I would say that that about be the, the only challenge, um, That comes up, other than of course, like, say, um, internet issues when it's like bad weather, season, that kind of stuff. , but I'll always have a backup or, um, I'll always kind of let my clients know ahead of time, like if it's.

Stormy weather here in Washington and Internet's kind of iffy, you know, I'll just kind of let them know ahead of time, like, Hey, in case that we have a disconnect or something like that, I'm gonna log on from my phone, um, instead of the laptop. Um, or something like, so I can just be on, you know, different network or something like that.

, but that's, that's all I can think of as far as like challenges with being online, but, it works out for me. Maybe one day I'll, I'll, I'll do the brick and mortar thing. But for now, and, and just where I'm at in life and my goals and my lifestyle, um, seeing my clients online is a lot more convenient.

Any, uh, without violating any HIPAA laws or, uh, confidentiality. Was, uh, any success stories or something that really impacted you, uh, or something involved with the business at all? Yeah, uh, most definitely. Uh, gosh, it was a one time when, um, I think what really kind of stands up to me is I really, really like, I, I can see.

You know, vast, um, array of like different clients from, you know, different demographics and things like that. But what really gets to my heart is when I see Samoan people in therapy and they're seeing me like that really like, gets to my heart. And so maybe that's why this kind of stands out a lot more to me or this encounter with this client.

But this client is, um, much older, uh, Samoan woman and you know, she's probably in like her. Sixties or something like that, , but anyways, , she, I got to see her in our initial session and things like that and, , and being able to help her work through depression. And mind you, this was one of the, this was one of the sessions where I had to do in complete Psalm one language.

So for me to be, to even be able to like do what I do, but do it in our language. , was huge for me, right? So, , being able to. Talk her through and help, help this, you know, this client to, um, understand depression and what it is because I'm, I'm saying it to her and Samoan, I'm speaking to her and Samoan and I'm explaining the symptoms.

I'm explaining why she's feeling this way and, and how things are working in her mind and her body and why she's experiencing this way and some of the things that she can do. And I'm saying all of this in Samoan, right? And this, and this particular client, like really stands out to me because. I could see the light bulb kind of go on in her mind, you know, as I'm explaining,  depression.

And I'm like, we don't even have a word for that. It's like I had to say a whole sentence in order for her to really understand, you know, depression, right? So I could see kind of like this light bulb go off in her mind to where she's like, wow, you know, and then she's repeating back to me what I'm saying to her.

It was like she was repeating back to me a few times. What I was saying to her about what depression was, and for me, I was able to see, like, it was like I'm literally seeing this person, this Samoan woman understanding depression. It was like she was able to grasp it and I knew that that was gonna do so much for her.

For her to just even understand why she's feeling the way that she's feeling. What she can do, what, what the next, you know, steps would be for her to be, for me to be able to see that, like see that light bulb kind of switch on in her mind like was like just amazing for me. Like that was amazing for me and I.

Yeah, I, I still feel, I still kind of feel that way when I think about that, that session.  Because it means so much to me. Like I can see, you know, anybody that speaks English and Yes. You know, but then to be able to see Samoan people, not only in this therapy space, but to speak to them and to, to do therapy in Psalm one was for me, even mind blowing.

And I'm just like, wow, that was amazing. To be able to, to do that and to be able to have the honor, um, to be able to sit with this person and then explain to them in our language, like what was going on. So I, I would say that would be like a, like a testimonial thing. Um, that, a moment that kind of stood out to me.

That's an amazing testimonial because, uh, It, it, it's amazing because, uh, you don't really hear stories like that. You know? I know, uh, Samoan people are not the most numerous people in the world. You're probably rarely ever going to be able to call into a hotline and press two to get the Sam one options.

You know, so the fact that mm-hmm. You know what I mean? And so mm-hmm. The let alone to have somebody who has a practice and there is an option to tailor that toward people who need it broken down into their, their native tongue. And that being somm one, like it's, it's, it's amazing that you can reach basically people that otherwise would not have been able to access the help that they needed.

So that's an amazing, uh, testimony for sure. And you,, you obvious obviously provide a very valuable service. And so on that note, I just wanted to go ahead and recap, uh, what we went over here today. You know, you. Uh, very dedicated, uh, amazing career in the Army. 15 years. That's a, that's a very noteworthy stretch, and you found a passion for therapy and, you know, reaching out to people and providing a service and a help to, uh, people that otherwise they didn't have.

And so we went out and, because due to Covid, you were able to, Create this practice and do it completely online. It makes it convenient for you and no doubt makes it more convenient for your, your patients as well. And I just imagine there's so many more people that are able to access you and the service you provide thanks to that.

You know, like you, you've told us you're here to talk yourself out of the job ultimately, meaning that you're helping people sincerely get healthy. And so we just wanted to thank you for providing that service and for sharing that with us here on the podcast so that we can. Highlight that, and I'm hoping that people that are at home and listening in on this session who may need help are able to realize they've got someone mm-hmm.

Uh, there, you know, whether they be Sam or any other, uh mm-hmm. Ethnicity or culture like I'm sure that you,  you have a, uh, service that you can provide for all of them as well. I hope they listen in and they're able to reach out to you and find that help.

Thanks for the recap, Spence. , real quick, any plans on, uh, retiring and going back home and opening up a practice?

possibly, possibly. But, um, yeah, there's, there's a lot of work, uh, to be done here, but I would, , absolutely love the opportunity to be able to go back and, and to serve our community back in the back, back in the island. So, absolutely.

I can tell you, we, we would, we could definitely use the service down there. Um. Mm-hmm. I know going back. I went back last year and, you know, it's, it's, a lot has changed, but it's still the same. Mm-hmm. You know what I mean? The feel is still the same. Yeah. Home is still home. Yes. And I know that there's a lot of,  different services or amenities and conveniences that we enjoy here in the states that would benefit American Somal greatly.

So, I mean, it'd be nice. I agree. I was home last year too, and I absolutely agree, but, I'm also in network with, um, with the, with the mental health people that are working there. So I'm also in network with them. Uh, we do have a, um, , we call it, , Pacific Islander. , Clinicians Network, which is com comprised of like social workers and mental health therapists across the entire us.

So it's only like about 30 something of us, but we have a Facebook group and um, so we're, we're communicating, you know, we're communicating with, with, I think they're, I can't remember if there's some in Utah.  But there's so many in California, there's two in Washington, and. Uh, a few in, in Florida and just across the us So we're kind of slowly building this network.

It's, it's, we're still underrepresented as far as like, provider wise when it comes to mental health. , but hopefully as the more we get to put ourselves out there in, in our community, the more that people in our young people in our community will, will also see our field as, , just another, another, you know, another field that they can get into.

And ladies and gentlemen, because she's telehealth, that means you can use your services anywhere. You don't have to be from Washington state. I have to say this because there's a lot, I'm, I'm pretty dumb for stuff like that. Like, unless you openly say the obvious, I won't like, actually, okay, so correction.

Correction. So correction. Oh, okay. Nevermind. Of, for individual services, , I can only see clients in Washington state. So, because there are, when it comes to like you corrected HIPAA laws and all of that,  I can't see clients that live in California. Mm-hmm. , but I can move the California, , but if I'm still actively licensed in Washington, I can move the California and still see clients in Washington.

And that's all because of course, you know, once upon a time something happened to where. A cl a therapist is seeing a client, you know, in, in a different state and something happened to the client. And so it's a whole thing. But, um, however, we do, we do give out a lot of community classes, which community classes on mental health.

That, you know, this is, there's so much amazing information that we put out in these classes. Like everything, all those like skills and all of that stuff that we, we give our clients in individual sessions,  we dish it out in our community sessions because we just wanna. Get the information out there, like if, 'cause like, therapy is expensive.

So community classes is another way that we're able to like, hey, look, people that are not able to attend, therapy, you know, come to these workshops, come to these community classes that we're able. So that's, that's a place where anyone from anywhere in the US can chime in because it's all online. So that's, that's something that, you know, they can tune into and, and be able to be a part of.

But as far as individual,  therapy sessions, unfortunately because of laws, , I can only see clients in Washington.

I stand corrected. Nevermind. As you were. Thank you very much Salah. Thank you for coming on our platform. Mm-hmm. Thank you for providing this service. Thank you for your service as well, and just being there for our people, for the, for the Polynesian community. I know. , you provide services to everyone and anyone,  in, in the state of Washington because of loss.

But I mean, it takes a lot to find a passion that aids people. You know what I mean? like my passion is video games. I only aid myself and I beaten back the boredom and my children and my wife. You know that that's kind of a given. But you know, we're, we're glad you, I'm sure you can find a way to monetize that Johnny.

Uh, I am not good enough. The people who monetize that, that field specifically are just ridiculous hand-eye coordination. Uh, I got two left thumbs, but it's, uh, yeah, we're, we're, we're grateful for everything that you've done for the community. And, , everyone go check out New Hope Counseling l l c. Mental health is a real thing.

I don't care how strong you are unless you're me and you're he men. Superman to your children, then you're super strong. But if you're not me, , go, go find a therapist and shop around. Not, maybe not the first one, maybe not the second, maybe not the eighth. But you know, if, if you want someone that looks like you, acts like you, speaks like you hit up satellite new Hope counseling, L L C.

I am Johnny. This is Spencer and this is, uh, Michael Tan from Hind Lava Lava. Brought to you by Ray Keller Life Insurance. We'll catch you on the next one.