Meet Sam
Samantha Getha, LCSW (she/her)
Owner & Therapist of Waves of Courage Counseling LLC
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker serving clients across the states of Alaska and Virginia. As an integrative and trauma-informed therapist, I believe that our mental health is part of a holistic system that incorporates our physical, spiritual, and emotional well-being. My focus is on helping you build your strengths, embrace your authentic self, and thrive where you are.
Coming from a military family, I am passionate about serving the military population and those who dedicate themselves to serving their communities. This includes spouses and anyone who is connected to someone serving, or have served, in the military or working on the frontlines. My clinical focus areas include all types of trauma, including combat trauma, anxiety, and depression, but I also help in areas of life transitions, stress, anger, relationship issues, personal growth, and work-life balance. I have specialized training in EMDR and use this modality as a primary intervention for trauma-focused treatment.
In addition to my personal experiences, including bartending on a military installation, I earned my Master's in Social Work degree from the University of Southern California through their Military and Veterans program. My diverse background includes roles as a mental health provider on a military installation, inpatient clinical therapist, hospital social worker, family advocacy outreach manager, and domestic abuse victim advocate. These experiences have helped me to support a wide range of people from various racial and ethnic backgrounds, all stages of life, and diverse sexual and gender identities. I have worked at Eielson AFB and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER). Currently, I offer 1-1 online therapy sessions in my private practice to adults 18+.
My Approach
I am a big proponent of meeting my clients where they are, walking alongside them to help them navigate and embrace change so they can start feeling happier and healthier in life. I believe in helping you find the tools to weather your storm. I find analogies useful to understand patterns, events, thoughts, and behaviors in our lives. I won't tell you that everything is going to be okay. I will help you look at your situation in different ways and come face-to-face with issues most people tend to ignore. I believe great therapy is rooted in a holistic view of clients when they’re treated as a whole person. My therapeutic style heavily incorporates somatic processing styles (mind-body connections), solution-focused, and building upon strengths– sprinkled with a little humor. I help you evaluate your options, ensure you feel heard, obtain new skills, and make sense of past life events to help gain clarity.
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Why the name ‘Waves of Courage’?
I grew up by the beaches of North Carolina as a military brat. Embracing change was never easy but the beach was my constant. It was my place of calm and healing. I braved a lot of storms but some of my best memories growing up there were on a sunny, beautiful beach. I find the ocean to be a metaphor for life. My hope is for you to find your own place of peace and healing within.
Who am I outside of being an LCSW? Here are 7 fun facts about me!
- I am part of an avid Jeep community.
- I’m second generation Filipino-American.
- You'll likely meet my rescue dogs, named Ranger & Maggie, in our televideo sessions.
- I used to ride motorcycles (I like to take things slow now).
- I've hiked 7 mountains in Alaska (some more than once!)
- I’m a passionate foodie and enjoy the farmer's market.
- Hiking, camping, and traveling are my jam!
Education
Bachelors of Science in Public Health (BSPH) - Kaplan University 2011
Master in Social Work (MSW) Military & Veterans Social Work program- University of Southern California 2015
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) – Alaska #131093 and Virginia #0904012394
Virginia Board-Approved Supervisor
Main Modality Approaches