Wellness Wave Wisdom

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...

  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 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 Play Therapy, sand tray therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Gottman Couples Therapy . When we think about substance abuse treatment, we often imagine talk therapy, counseling sessions, support groups, or 12-step programs. While these traditional approaches are essential, many people are surprised to learn that play therapy can also be an effective and transformative component of substance abuse treatment. Play therapy offers a less intimidating and more accessible pathway for individuals who struggle to express their emotions verbally. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (2024), an estimated 48.3 million people aged 12 or older exp...

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.   Many people use substances to cope with personal and systemic problems. Substance use, substance abuse and addiction can be born out of many experiences including childhood trauma, chronic or acute mental and/or physical health challenges, traumatic experiences, job loss, housing or relationship loss, grief, death and loss, experiencing th...