Wellness Wave Wisdom

  What It Looks Like, Why It’s Hard to Talk About, and How to Get Help By Citlalli (Lali) Mendoza Citlalli (Lali) Mendoza is a bilingual (Spanish/English) graduate student in SDSU's Community Based Block (CBB) Multicultural Community Counseling and Social Justice Education Program. Raised in San Diego on Kumeyaay land, Lali grew up as the oldest kid in a mixed-status family and understands the complexities of navigating both cultural and societal expectations. 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.  Intimate partner violence (IPV) is any pattern of behaviors a partner uses to gain power and control—physical, sexual, emotional, verbal, digital, or financial. It happens in all communities, including LGBTQIA+ relationships. National data show IPV is common across the U.S., and sexual and gender minority people can face equal or...

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 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 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...