"There is a dire need for the two ways of healing the so called scientific medicine and the Tongan medicine to converse a lot more than what has already been happening. What came across to us viewers of this most beautiful film is there is less talanoa and there needs to be a lot more conversation. We are dealing with different way of dealing with one and the same reality, not two different realities and we need to have more talanoa." – Hufanga He Ako moe Lotu Dr ‘Okusitino Mahina, Professor of Tongan Philosophy, Anthropology and Art- Vava’u Academy for Critical Inquiry and Applied Research, Vava’u, Kingdom of Tonga.

"It was mafana [inwardly moving or exhilarating] and a little disturbing at the same time for me. That Tongan paradox. There is this line from Margaret Southwick’s study, ‘when you have disconnected discourses it is disconnected outcomes for that person’. The more that the two knowledge systems that understand the same symptoms so differently can integrate, then those of us who have those symptoms and go through both systems, will be much more likely to have healing. [the film] It’s beautiful, really beautiful." – Dr. Karlo Mila, Aotearoa Poet & Sociologist

"One of the things that really moved me personally is how you are able to tell the story of Emeline the traditional healer so that everyone knows the effectiveness of these people. But what is more touching is the challenges we have in the Western paradigm. Dr Mapa Puloka, Dr Alani, the frustrations that we have. They have the knowledge of both worlds, yet, they are being restricted within the biomedical model. When you see Emeline and her freedom to go around and meet people in that setting and Mapa and Alani know that but are restricted." – Dr. Sione Vaka, Senior Lecturer-Auckland University of Technology, Aotearoa

"You have made a very important film Mike, a labor of love, a gift for the Tongan people you know and care about deeply. I found the journey you take the viewer on to be fascinating, if not riveting, and the content authentic and imbued with tender loving care. The people you feature in your film are generous and giving, of their time and their knowledge, and they obviously care very much about your efforts to tell their story your way. They trust you, and you have not let them down. I like very much your personal voice in the film, explaining your reasons for making the film, and your hopes for collaboration between healers and psychiatrists not just in Tonga, but also in many other parts of the Pacific and beyond. Your film took me back to Rotuma when I was growing up in the 1950s and 60s, and similar beliefs my own people had then, and probably today still, that need better understanding and illumination. You shine a spotlight on matters of life and death, a concern all humans share in common. Most importantly, you were able to reciprocate the Tongan people’s love and care for you in such a meaningful and generous manner. Congratulations!" – Professor Vilsoni Hereniko, Academy of Creative Media, University of Hawai'i

"The Healer and the Psychiatrist successfully presents two sides of the same coin, in traditional medicine and modern medicine. Both approach the same outcome of healing. Pacific researchers practice “talanoa,” an established format for generating discussion about complex topics used throughout the Pacific... a beautiful and empathic film, full of thought, humanity and discovery." – Anderson Le, Hawaii International Film Festival, 2020