Wellness Wave Wisdom

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. Domestic Violence (DV) and Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) are serious and widespread public health issues that impact millions of individuals, including students at community colleges like MiraCosta. Whether you're taking classes on campus, online, or both, it's crucial to understand what DV/IPV looks like, how it affects lives, and how to seek help or support others who may be experiencing it. What is DV/IPV? Domestic Violence refers to abuse that occurs in a domestic setting, typically between spouses, partners, or family members. Intimate Partner Violence is ...

  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...