Waves of Courage Counseling LLC

Meet Sam

Samantha Getha, LCSW

Owner & Therapist of Waves of Courage Counseling LLC

Samantha Getha is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker from North Carolina serving clients across the states of Alaska and Virginia. An integrative and trauma-informed therapist, she believes that our mental health is part of a holistic system that incorporates our physical, spiritual, and emotional well-being. She focuses her sessions on building your strengths, being your authentic self, and thriving where you are!

Samantha is from a military family who continues to serve the military population as they are an extension of family to her. She hopes to be a support system to those who have served or who have family that has served through the difficult times they may currently be facing whether it be trauma, combat trauma, anxiety, depression, life transitions, stress, anger, relationship issues, personal growth, and work-life balance.

In addition to her personal experiences, Samantha earned her Masters in Social Work degree from the University of Southern California through their Military and Veterans program. She has worked in a variety of roles including a mental health provider on a military installation, inpatient clinical therapist, hospital social worker, family advocacy outreach manager, domestic abuse victim advocate, and even a bartender on a military installation. It has helped her support a wide range of people from various racial and ethnic backgrounds, in every stage of life, and diverse sexual and gender identities. Samantha has worked at Eielson AFB and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER). She is currently working in private practice.

Samantha currently offers 1-1 online therapy sessions to adults 18+ who are veterans, military personnel, spouses or anyone who is connected to someone that is or has been in the military, or working frontlines in the serving field.

“You have to find someone you can trust enough to accompany you, someone who can safely hold your feelings and help you listen to the painful messages from your emotional brain. You need a guide who is not afraid of your terror and who can contain your darkest rage, someone who can safeguard the wholeness of you while you explore the fragmented experiences that you had to keep secret from yourself for so long.”
--
Bessel A. van der Kolk, MD

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’m a curious person by nature, which leads me to lots of learning, connecting, and adventures.

  • I am part of an avid Jeep community.
  • I’m second generation Filipino-American.
  • You'll likely meet my German Shepherd mix, named Ranger, in our televideo sessions.
  • A Red Cross volunteer since 2011.
  • I've hiked 7 mountains in Alaska (some more than once!)
  • I’m a passionate foodie and particularly enjoy cake, charcuterie, oysters, and Asian food.
  • Hiking and traveling are my jam!

Education

Bachelors of Science in Public Health (BSPH) - Kaplan University
Master in Social Work (MSW) - University of Southern California
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) – Alaska #131093 and Virginia #0904012394

Approaches

  • Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) via Roy Kiessling, EMDR Consulting
  • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) Informed
  • Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
  • Structured Sensory Interventions (SITCAP) and Play Therapy techniques
  • Motivational Interviewing
  • Prevention and Relationship Enhancement
    Program (PREP)
  • YogaFit for Warriors 100hr Trauma-Sensitive Yoga Certification
  • Parts/Ego State work in EMDR Therapy via Andrew Seubert
  • EMDR and Attachment-Focused Trauma Therapy for Adults (AFTT-A) via Ann Potter, Ph.D. & Debra Wesselmann, MS, LIMHP
  • Mindfulness via YogaRenew (pending)