Wellness Wave Wisdom

By Dianna Lopez, Mental Health Counseling Intern Dianna earned her Bachelor’s in Psychology with a minor in Business from UCSD, and is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at USD. As a first-generation college student, she is passionate about spreading awareness of mental health services as a necessary resource for all individuals, along with breaking down the stigma surrounding therapy, especially in minority cultures. In her counseling sessions, Dianna focuses on creating a welcoming environment where anyone can come in and feel heard, and uses cognitive behavioral interventions to build a collaborative space and work to shift unhelpful thoughts. Summertime calls for fun times in the sun. Sometimes, the fear of missing out (FOMO) can make it difficult to say no to substances or activities that don’t align with your comfort level. Large crowds can bring on social anxiety, sensory overload, or pressure to fit in. It is okay to take a break, leave ...

  Practicing Harm Reduction in substance use and process/behavioral addictions By Jesus Mendez Carbajal, APCC Jesus is a bilingual (Spanish/English) Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (APCC) who holds a B.A. in Chicana/o Studies with a minor in Women’s Studies, and an M.S. in Counseling from SDSU’s Community Based Block (CBB) Multicultural Community Counseling and Social Justice Education Program. Jesus understands that while the issues people face are personally experienced, they’re also connected to systems of power, privilege and oppression and their impact extends beyond the self. Overall, Jesus is a passionate life-long student of healing, plant knowledge, emotional wellness, mental health, and spirituality. It’s ok if you don’t want to stop using a substance or stop a behavior--unless you’re causing harm to minors, dependent adults or elderly adults. Working with the assumption that one is not actively causing harm to others, can we sit with the reality that we don’t w...

By Tammah Watts(she), LMFT 111562 Tammah is a licensed therapist certified as a SMART Recovery Facilitator, Domestic Violence Advocate, Kripalu Mindful Outdoor Guide and Clinical Trauma Professional. She provides individual, relationship, and family counseling, and facilitates Health Services’ Recovery Group. As we come to the end of the Spring semester -first, CONGRATULATIONS for making it through! It's also a good time to consider what your recovery support will look like during the summer. To help you stay grounded and focused on your recovery goals -Consider these Tips and Tools and attendance at meetings -in person or online, local or national. Below, you'll find Resources to continue your recovery journey in ways that fit best including apps, meetings online and in-person, and more. Recovery Mutual Support Groups Don’t give up on recovery if one type of support group doesn’t work for you. Try another one! Secular and Non-12-Step Groups SMART Recovery (Self-Management and ...

By Tammah Watts, LMFT Tammah is a licensed therapist certified as a SMART Recovery Facilitator, Domestic Violence Advocate, Kripalu Mindful Outdoor Guide and Clinical Trauma Professional. She provides individual, relationship, and family counseling, and facilitates Health Services’ Recovery Group. Many of you are in the final stretch of the semester and all that comes with this time of year -preparing for and taking your finals and completing other assignments; the holidays are in full swing and plans you may or may not have with family and friends. To help you staying grounded and focused on your recovery goals - Consider these Tips and Tools and attendance at meetings -in person or online, local or national . This email is a tradition now -a final one (pun intended) for the end of the Fall semester. You'll find Resources for you to continue your recovery journey in ways that fit best. Recovery Mutual Support Groups Don’t give up on recovery if one type of support group doesn’t wo...

Natasha Jackson, LMFT 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 The holiday season is one that can evoke cheer, the spirit of giving, the anticipation of making memories and hopes that everyone enjoys what you brought to the holiday potluck. For others, the holidays can mean increased substance use due to heightened stressors, potentially linked to financial, family, loneliness and unrealistic expectations. Societal norms surrounding gathering and communi...