Let’s Navigate Life’s Waves Together
Welcome to Ride The Wave Counseling
We get it: starting therapy can feel like standing at the edge of a big wave. But you don’t have to surf it alone. We’re here, ready to paddle out to meet you where you are at emotionally, with compassion, curiosity, and maybe even a little humor to surf the highs and lows of life, together. You made it here—and that’s a powerful first step.
Our Services
Individual Therapeutic Services
What sets us apart is our holistic, person-centered, trauma-informed approach—blending evidence-based practices with warmth, building a genuine therapeutic professional relationship, humor, and gender and cultural responsiveness to support your healing journey. Think of it as science-backed care with a soul (and the occasional laugh, because sometimes the best way to the ride the wave is with a well-timed laugh, that’s actually therapeutic.)
At Ride The Wave Counseling, we offer one on one virtual counseling services to teens, young adults, and adults. Sessions are typically around 50 minutes and tailored to your individual needs. Self-pay sessions are $175. We provide superbills for clients seeking potential insurance reimbursement upon request. Please see FAQ section for more information on superbills.
Wondering if your insurance is riding this wave? Peek to the right—our current partners are listed there.
To make care accessible and sustainable, we reserve a limited number of sliding scale spots for clients navigating financial hardship. If cost is a barrier, please don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re happy to explore options together. Availability may vary, and we’ll do our best to find a plan that works for you.
Lets get started!
Health Insurance Acceptance Process
Ride The Wave Counseling is currently in the process of credentialing with major health insurance providers. As we begin to accept insurance, we’ll continue to update our website and notify clients directly. In the meantime, we provide superbills for all self-pay sessions upon request which clients may submit to their insurance for potential reimbursement of services.
We are currently accepting the following insurance through Headway:
🌀 Aetna
🌀 Kaiser Permanente of Hawaii
🌀 Quest Behavioral Health
🌀 Cigna
🌀Carelon Behavioral Health
🌀 Anthem EAP
🌀 Independence Blue Cross Pennsylvania
🌀 Horizon Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Jersey
We are accepting the following through Simple Practice:
🌀State of Hawaii Med-QUEST Medicaid Program
🌀United Behavioral Health also known as Optum Behavioral Health Services (OHBS)
Get to know me
Aloha and E Komo Mai—Welcome!
I’m Santina, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in the state of Hawai‘i. I hold a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Capella University, a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Old Dominion University, and an Associate of Science in Sociology from Northern Virginia Community College.
It fills my cup to support others as they learn how to heal. There’s something deeply meaningful about walking alongside someone as they begin to reconnect with themselves, reclaim their story, and discover new ways to cope, grow, and thrive. I believe healing isn’t linear—it’s layered, personal, and often messy. But it’s also brave. Whether someone is navigating trauma, life transitions, or simply trying to make sense of their emotions and experiences, I feel honored to hold space for that journey. Bearing witness to resilience, insight, and transformation is what keeps me grounded and inspired in this work.
During my fieldwork at the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division of Hawai’i, I provided outpatient care to teens who identified as girls navigating complex trauma and difficult life transitions and experiences. Through gender-responsive, trauma-informed support, we explored psychoeducation around trauma, its symptoms, and common adolescent challenges. Together, we worked toward building healthier coping strategies for daily stressors and fostering greater emotional resilience. This experience enriched my skills in building trust, delivering psychoeducation in developmentally appropriate ways, and adapting interventions to honor each teen’s cultural identity, lived experience, and personal strengths.
I also completed fieldwork with nonprofit agencies serving children, teens, and adults impacted by domestic violence, commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC), labor and sexual trafficking, legal system involvement including navigating probation, Detention Home (DH), shelters, and foster care system transitions. These experiences deepened my understanding of systemic barriers and the importance of accessible, culturally responsive care.
In private agency settings, I’ve provided clinical therapeutic support to adults 18+ navigating severe mental health challenges and co-occurring issues such as chronic health conditions, substance use, and housing instability. This work reinforced my commitment to holistic, person-centered care that meets clients where they are.
The specialization areas listed below reflect common experiences among those I’ve supported:
Anxiety
Chronic Stress
Depression
Dual Diagnosis
Bipolarity
Disruptive Mood Dysregulation
Behavioral Issues
Disordered Eating and Body Image Concerns
Anger
Dissociation
Relationship Issues
Adjustment Challenges
School-Related Issues: Peer Relationships & Bullying, Truancy, School Avoidance
Grief and Loss
PTSD & Trauma
Teen Girls
Women's Wellness
Abuse & Exploitation Recovery (Domestic Violence, Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC), Human & Labor Trafficking)
Relational & Identity Work: Self-Esteem and Identity Development
Clinical approach at RTWC:
I use an eclectic approach which means that I pull from various evidence based practices depending on your unique needs, cultural appropriateness, and therapeutic goals. I am a humanistic and person-centered therapist which means that I see you as the expert of your life and are the captain of your own ship. My role is a guide to help you navigate life’s turbulence better; to offer empathy, curiosity, and a safe space for you to explore- not to judge, diagnose, or fix. We’ll work together at your pace, honoring your values, strengths, and lived experience, every step of the way.
My clinical approach includes Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (MB-CBT), which means that I integrate cognitive restructuring with present-moment awareness. With MB-CBT, one can learn to identify and reframe maladaptive or unhelpful thought patterns while developing mindfulness skills that enhance emotional regulation and distress tolerance. This approach supports long-term change by strengthening cognitive flexibility and reducing reactivity. I believe that your thoughts affect your feelings, your feelings affect your behaviors and vice-versa. I integrate Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and somatic approaches to support trauma recovery. This includes cognitive restructuring of trauma-related beliefs, body-based awareness practices to regulate distress, and psychoeducation to help you understand symptoms in the context of your lived experience. Together, we make meaning of what you’ve been through and work to reshape your narrative—so you can move forward with clarity, self-compassion, and confidence.
I am honored to sail beside you on your healing journey. Healing looks different for everyone. You are unique, and we honor your authenticity- whether it’s shaped by culture, LGBTQ+, identity, vibes, or the many experiences that make you, you. Your story matters here, and we celebrate the fullness of who you are. I meet you where you are emotionally at and do not force change. My trauma informed approach believes that desired change comes from building a strong therapeutic relationship and establishing trust, to begin feeling safe to then explore your world, where you have been, and where you’d like to go, together.
Let’s get started! Call or email us today:
Info@ridethewavecounselings.com
(818) 851-1814
FAQs
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❓ What is a superbill, and how do I use it?
If you are using out-of-network benefits, we can provide a monthly superbill. A superbill is a detailed receipt that includes all the information your insurance company needs to consider reimbursing you for therapy sessions. It lists the session date, type of service, fee, diagnosis code (if applicable), and provider information. Please note that reimbursement is not guaranteed and varies by plan. We recommend contacting your insurer directly to understand your coverage.
📨 How do I submit a superbill to my insurance?
Contact your insurance provider and ask if they accept superbills for out-of-network mental health services.
Submit the superbill through your insurance’s member portal, email, or mail—whichever method they prefer.
Wait for reimbursement—if approved, your insurance may send you a partial refund based on your plan’s out-of-network benefits.
💡 Tip:
We recommend calling your insurance ahead of time to ask:
Do I have out-of-network benefits for mental health?
What percentage of the session fee is reimbursed?
Is pre-authorization required?
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You’re not the first to wonder- and we’ve got you covered.
Do I have to cry in therapy?
Nope. Some people cry, some people laugh, some people talk about their dog for 20 minutes. All valid.Is it okay to joke during sessions?
Absolutely. Humor is welcome here—it can be healing, connecting, and sometimes the best way to say the unsayable. We just keep an eye on when it’s helping and when it’s a shield (we see you, sarcasm).What if I don’t know what to say?
Totally normal. We’ll start where you are—even if that’s “I have no idea why I’m here.”Can I bring snacks?
Yes. The more snacks, the merrier—your brain focuses better when it’s been fed.What if my goals change over time?
That’s completely normal, welcomed, and anticipated as you progress in your care. Therapy isn’t a straight line—it’s more like a winding path with detours, discoveries, and the occasional scenic overlook. We’ll keep checking in and adjusting together.What if I’m not sure therapy is helping?
Let’s talk about it. Feeling unsure is part of the process sometimes, and naming it can lead to clarity. We welcome honest conversations about what’s working and what’s not.Can I take a break from therapy?
Yes. Life ebbs and flows, and sometimes a pause is what’s needed. We can plan for it together so you feel supported, whether you’re stepping away for a bit or feeling ready to complete therapy and move forward on your healing journey.
Contact Us
Let’s take the first step in healing together. Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly. We can’t wait to hear from you!
