Wellness Wave Wisdom

  By Melissa Collins-Porter Melissa is a Marriage and Family Therapy Trainee who is currently enrolled in Point Loma Nazarene University’s Masters in Applied Clinical Counseling program. Melissa received a B.A. in Communication from UC San Diego and an M.A. in Film from SDSU. Melissa taught as an adjunct at MiraCosta for 20 years in the Department of Theatre and Film. After the COVID lockdown, she noticed that many of her students were struggling with mental health and was called to make a career change. Her approach to client care is informed by psychodynamic theory, social justice, neurodiversity and LGBTQIA+ affirmation. Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a type of psychotherapy developed by Dr. Richard Schwartz. Dr. Schwartz created a model of the human mind as composed of “parts”. These parts may have their own objectives and emotions. They may conflict with each other and with our true Selves, creating anxiety, inner conflict, and confusion; resulting in unhealthy behaviors...

By Julie Choi Trepkau, AMFT 147728 (she) Julie is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT) who holds a Master's in Counseling from National University, and is dedicated to supporting individuals from diverse populations as they navigate life’s challenges, including anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, and relationship concerns.  Julie’s background is in yoga and education, having taught yoga internationally for over two decades as well as elementary school in Encinitas.    Healing from violence and abuse is a deeply personal and ongoing process. There is no single person, report, or event that can bring closure.   Survivors may carry the effects of their experiences for a long time, and the healing process can be aided by a circle of support from those around them. Unfortunately, many survivors report experiencing additional harm when they disclose the situation or reach out for help. The process of reporting and seeking support can lead t...

by Lali Mendoza, mental health counseling intern  Lali Mendoza is a bilingual (Spanish/English) graduate student in SDSU's Community Based Block (CBB) Multicultural Community Counseling and Social Justice Education Program. They are 29 years old, queer, trans masculine, and a proud Mexican immigrant from Tijuana. He earned their BA from Harvard in Psychology with a minor in Latine Studies and has dedicated their career to supporting marginalized communities, especially trans and queer BIPOC individuals. Why I Turned to Weed in College I started smoking weed in college, right around the time I came out as queer and left home. It felt like survival—like the only thing that made the loneliness bearable. Academically, I was struggling, not because I wasn’t capable, but because I felt so unsupported. My school wasn’t built for someone like me, a first-gen, working-class, trans person of color navigating a system that wasn’t designed with my success in mind. Weed became my escape, ...

  By Denise Lopez Denise is a second-year graduate student at National University, pursuing a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology with a specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy and Clinical Counseling. Outside of counseling, she is also deeply passionate about coaching volleyball. Through her coaching experience, Denise developed a strong awareness of the mental health challenges faced by athletes. She is particularly interested in using mindfulness and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy approaches to address issues such as body dysmorphia, eating disorders, performance anxiety, and navigating difficult life transitions in athletes. As a former volleyball player, I can recall the challenges of balancing demanding athletic schedules, rigorous academic expectations, and the pressures of social life. College was an exciting time, but as a student-athlete, it could get very overwhelming. Balancing demanding athletic schedules, academics, social lives, and personal goals can feel ...

  By Jacob Maldonado Jacob is a graduate student at San Diego State University, obtaining a Master's in Multicultural Counseling through the CBB program and an Advanced Graduate Certificate in LGBTQ+ Studies. Born and raised in San Diego, he received his Bachelor's in Psychology with minors in Queer Studies, Counseling, and Social Change, at SDSU. He is particularly interested in working in community mental health, specifically with individuals belonging to historically marginalized communities. What is Substance Use? While many relate substance use to addiction, recognizing the distinction is crucial for one’s approach to their health. Substance Use (Disorder) is a clinical diagnosis that covers a wide range of difficulties experienced by individuals who use substances. Addiction can describe a range of behavior/emotions individuals may experience in the context of their environment, with physical, emotional, or mental difficulties stemming from the addiction. The distinction...

By Natasha Jackson Natasha has worked in the mental health field for the past ten years, with experience in both residential and outpatient settings, treating adolescents, adults, families, and couples. As a Black Therapist, she sees the value of representation in the mental health field, and finds unique opportunities to support her clients who can often feel misunderstood by therapists who may not share this aspect of their identity. Natasha is also passionate about working with members of the following communities: body positivity, LGBTQ+, racial justice, military spouses, and single mothers. 1. “It Only Happens to Certain People” There’s a myth that DV/IPV only affects specific groups, such as those from lower-income backgrounds or specific communities. In reality, DV/IPV cuts across all demographics—race, gender, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, and cultural backgrounds. Wealth or status may simply shield the abuse from public view. 2. “It’s Just Physical Violence” Some m...