Wellness Wave Wisdom

  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...

By Tyrone Totten Tyrone is a counseling intern and graduate student working towards his Masters of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the University of San Diego. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Child and Adolescent Development from California State University, San Marcos, and served in the United States Navy as an Information Systems Technician. Tyrone is passionate about increasing accessibility of resources, and reducing the stigma and beliefs attached to mental health for people of color. Often when we think about addiction our minds turn to substance addiction. Substance addiction is a significant public health issue in the United States, affecting millions of individuals, families and communities. Emphasizing mental healthcare is a critical component in addressing substance addiction, as the connection between mental health and substance use disorders (SUDs) is well-documented. However, there is another form of addiction that lacks widespread recognition in the Unit...

By Tammah Watts, LMFT, SMART Recovery Facilitator The SMART-informed Recovery Meeting through the Student Health Services  is informed by the principles, techniques and strategies of  SMART (Self-Management and Recovery Training) , using a non-12 Step approach to cope with maladaptive behaviors:  Are you feeling overwhelmed by an addiction to? Alcohol Illegal drugs Nicotine Marijuana Prescription Medications Or an addictive behavior such as? Gaming Eating Shopping Sex Self-Harming (cutting, other) Gambling Social Media Technology  Learn to use the SMART Recovery 4-POINT PROGRAM® Building and Maintaining Motivation Coping with Urges Managing Thoughts, Feelings, and Behaviors Living a Balanced Life When are the meetings held? Every Wednesday from 12P to 1P on Zoom while school is in session What else is good to know about the meetings? It’s ...

By Van Ethan Levy, LMFT 118131, LPCC 8269  Van is a queer, non-binary, trans, AFAB (Assigned Female at Birth), POC (Person of Color), dually licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist and a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. Van is passionate about holding space for all intersections of one’s identity(ies). Van is dedicated to social justice & believes it is vital to cultivate an awareness of our own internal strengths, specifically our resilience as we continue to grow and discover ourselves. Van also provides trainings on trans and non-binary identities and is author of the interactive book Exploring My Identity(ies) (2020). As we approach National Coming Out Day on October 11th and celebrate LGBTQPIA2S+ History Month, it’s crucial to shed light on a pervasive issue that often goes unnoticed: Interpersonal Violence (IPV). Many individuals may not recognize the signs of healthy versus unhealthy dynamics in relationships. IPV can take many forms, including physic...

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. What is AA? AA stands for Alcoholics Anonymous. It is a 12 Step Recovery Program for people with Substance Use Disorder. There are other AA-based groups for people who are addicted to drugs, gambling, or sex. Anyone who struggles with Substance Use Disorder and desires recovery is welcome at an AA meeting. The “anonymous” part means that attendance at an AA meeting an...