Pua Nalua’i, M.S., LPC, is a dedicated counselor with a profound commitment to facilitating healing and growth for her clients. Currently licensed as a Licensed Professional Counselor in both Virginia and Alaska, she is continuing to advance her expertise by pursuing a PsyD in Counseling Psychology at Alaska Pacific University as well as becoming certified as an EMDR therapist. Pua brings with her a wealth of experience form various roles and agencies. Her journey has been significantly shaped by her leadership role in the US Army and managing an adolescent inpatient cottage focused on trauma that helped underscore her belief in the power of compassionate listening and validation in overcoming life’s challenges. With a passion for supporting diverse communities, Pua is dedicated to working with individuals who have experienced trauma, including active-duty military, veterans, law enforcement personnel, first responders, and their families. She also enjoys working with older adolescents as they face the challenges of transitioning into adulthood. Pua’s therapeutic approach is both holistic and person-centered, focusing on empowering individuals to achieve unconditional self-acceptance. She employs strengths-based, meaning-centered methods to help clients uncover their purpose which fosters an improved sense of well-being and authentic happiness. By intuitively aligning her therapeutic presence with each client’s values, strengths, and beliefs, Pua ensures that every therapeutic experience is uniquely tailored to the individual. Her goal is to guide clients in recognizing their inner potential, enabling them to face challenges and overcome life’s obstacles with resilience and hope. Pua received her Bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University – Hawaii in Exercise & Sport Science and her Master’s degree from Alaska Pacific University in Counseling Psychology. She also holds an MBA from Colorado Technical University in Health Care Management. In Pua’s free time she enjoys the majesty and serenity of nature; the loving connections with family and friends; the solitude of contemplation and introspection; the awe, wonder, and excitement of learning and understanding new things; the beauty in music, art, and creativity; the competitiveness of playing sports; the adventures captured in books, TV, and movies; the challenges found in various video, board, and card games; the uniqueness and diversity of each and every person; and the overall joy of living.