I’M SO GLAD YOU’RE HERE.
Hi, it’s me Vae!
Your favorite queer, SĀmoan therapist.
PRONOUNS: SHE/HER/HERS
Talofa lava and warm Pacific greetings!
I’m Vaelupe Ma’aele‑Gonzalez, but most people call me Vae (like “pie,” with a V). I’m a licensed therapist and the founder of Pasifika Rooted Therapy, a space created to bridge culture, community, and emotional wellbeing.
This practice is rooted in the Pasifika diaspora and built for people who’ve learned to be strong, dependable, and self‑sacrificing—often at the cost of their own needs. Many of the folks I work with are exhausted from being the go‑to, the fixer, the one who always holds it together. If that’s you, you’re not alone.
Therapy here is relational, flexible, and deeply human. We move at your pace, shape each session to what you need in the moment, and make room for rest, honesty, and real connection. My goal is to help you reconnect with yourself—grounded in trust, love, and your lived experience.
If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or unsure of yourself lately, consider this your invitation.
You don’t have to carry everything alone anymore.
This is your space. You belong here.
Alofa Atu (Sending Love)
ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS
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All services are rendered through Simple Practice, a secure and HIPPA complaint system.
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Payments can be made via Ivy Pay's HIPAA-secure design that is guaranteed with a signed Business Associate Agreement so you're fully compliant.
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Please list of insurances that I accept. under "FAQs" tab.
WHAT CLIENT’S HAVE TO SAY:
“ Vae is such an amazing woman and therapist. She has helped me through so many life changes, challenges and issues. She listens to me, validates my feelings, helps me understand why I am feeling certain emotions and provide tools and strategies for me to make improvements. She has made me love the concept of therapy and sharing my passion for mental health with so many other people. I am forever grateful for all the support I’ve received from Vae throughout our time together!”
-Past Client
“Vae has been an essential part of my wellness journey. When the pandemic brought challenges I never imagined facing, I found myself in her office, searching for guidance. Through our sessions, she equipped me with the tools and strength to not only confront my own mental health struggles but also challenge the stigma surrounding mental health within my family and community.“
-Past Client
“Vae has been such an integral part of my development throughout the past three years of my life, which were the hardest three years of my life. I would not be the woman I am today without her contributions in teaching me how to manage and deal with my emotions while also giving me tools for success. I have learned so much about myself and different ways of thinking about my life circumstances because of her counsel…I am grateful for the struggles that have made me who I am today and for Vae who’s helped me to navigate them throughout the way.”
-Past Client
“She [Vae] walked with me through some of my darkest days, teaching me how to navigate them with compassion and resilience. Over time, what once felt impossible to carry alone became manageable, and I learned to trust in my own strength. Vae taught me to be more gentle with myself, to advocate for my well-being, and to unlearn the belief that certain struggles were just ‘normal’ burdens I had to bear as a Samoan woman.
-Past Client