Wellness Wave Wisdom

  By Rachel Benson, LMFT   Rachel received her Masters's Degree in Counseling Psychology and specialized in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) with Distinction. She is originally from Hong Kong, and she speaks several languages, including Cantonese and Mandarin. Rachel is certified in Brainspotting, and   trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), sand tray therapy, Gottman Couple Therapy, and Play Therapy with young children .  Have you ever noticed that a night of heavy drinking leaves you feeling even lower the next day? That’s not just a coincidence—it’s brain chemistry at work. Substance abuse and depression are deeply connected, often forming a cycle that is difficult to break. Many individuals with depression turn to alcohol or drugs to cope with feelings of sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness. While substances may seem to provide temporary relief, they often worsen depression in the long run by disrupting the brain’s natural chemist...

  *Limit to one packet per student per visit/day. 

  *Limit to one pack per student per visit/day. 

By Dorian Owens Dorian Owens is a graduate student at San Diego State University, pursuing a Master’s in Counseling through the Community-Based Block (CBB) Program, focusing on multicultural counseling and social justice. Dorian's approach to mental health care is rooted in humanistic, trauma-informed, and client-centered practices, emphasizing support for marginalized communities, particularly BIPOC populations. College is a time of change, growth, and pressure. For many students, especially those from historically marginalized communities, it can also be overwhelming. The expectations to perform, to fit in, and to navigate unfamiliar systems often weigh heavily. For Black and Latinx students, this stress can be compounded by additional layers of social pressure, identity-related fatigue, and feeling unseen in academic environments. Substance use doesn’t always start with addiction; it often begins as a coping strategy. For some students, using alcohol, weed, or other substances i...

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 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...