Hi, I'm LOSA

Greetings with love, and hello! I proudly embrace my Samoan, Tongan, and Chinese heritage. As a baby boomer born in Auckland, NZ, my roots trace back to Puipa'a, Upolu (thanks to my father) and Lotopa, Upolu (thanks to my mother). Although my Auckland upbringing shaped me, my journey led me to Sydney, Australia in 2012. Now, holding dual citizenship in Aotearoa and Australia, I extend my heartfelt acknowledgment and respect to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, the traditional custodians of this land. I honour their connection to land, community, and their rich cultures, paying homage to Elders past, present, and emerging.

To the enchanting Aotearoa, the land of the long white cloud, where I drew my first breath, Te Ha! I feel privileged to be a Kiwi and hold dear the tuakana/teine relationship with tangata whenua. The principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, in its indigenous context, have guided me in delivering cultural practices and services.

My favorite Maori proverb, "Maku e kii atu, he tangata, he tangata, he tangata," encapsulates the essence of what matters most in the world – people, people, people.

As a Pasifika Practitioner specializing in trauma, I find art and healing in this sacred work. I express gratitude to my Heavenly Father for entrusting me with people's lives, always praying to be a faithful servant.

Monica McGoldrick's wisdom resonates with me: "We are born into our family's stories, which both nourish and sometimes cripple us." Rooted in LOVE, my values and beliefs guide me personally and professionally: (i) I love you, (ii) I still love you, (iii) I will always love you.

Yes, I wear two hats – a licensed Clinical Psychotherapist and a qualified Life Coach. Why both? Clinical psychotherapists address mental health challenges, while life coaches guide individuals to their best selves. I bridge both worlds, offering support for emotional and mental health, as well as helping you achieve your full potential.

Beyond my professional roles are my most important roles as a wife, mother, grandmother, aunty, cousin, friend and a proud PASIFIKA. Naturally drawn to my beautiful people of the Pacific, I echo Sia Figiel's sentiment, "I does not exist... ‘I’ is always ‘we’, a part of the ‘aiga,’ a part of the Church, a part of the nu’u, a part of Samoa." Figiel's work, "Where we once belonged," beautifully symbolizes our journey to wellness, healing, and self-discovery.

Thank you for sharing this journey with me through my blog. Alofa atu, Losa.