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Hello!! I'm Alexis Donato, the Department Chair over in the Mental Health & Wellness
Center (MHWC) here at Foothill College. I wear a few hats, and all of them support
student mental health and wellbeing. I am currently teaching CNSL 72 Stress Wellness
and Coping. Additionally, I provide individual counseling services at the Mental Health
and Wellness Center. I am also the Wellness Lounge Coordinator.
In the MHWC, I help students manage stress, explore family relationships, and talk
about things that are maybe really hard to talk about with friends and family. There
is no problem too big or too small!
If you're a student, you are probably familiar with stress! You're at such a critical
time, and often in transition, which turns up the need to have solid self-care practices
in place. This can include self-compassion and resilience practices to help you through
all the challenges being a student holds. It's a balancing act with school, relationships,
work, exploring who you are, being comfortable in your skin, and planning the next
part of your journey whether is transferring or getting ready to work.
I help students explore this and more in personal counseling sessions and in my Stress
Wellness and Coping class. Personal growth is something everyone can benefit from.
Research shows that if you're feeling well, you'll do well in your classes.
In addition to my work at Foothill College, I'm a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist
with a small private practice in Los Gatos.
I've been practicing since 2001 and licensed since 2007. I'm interested in the mind-body
connection and have been an advanced student of an approach to counseling/therapy
that is somatic (uses the body), experiential and mindfulness-based called Hakomi.
This approach accesses how we see the world and how we relate to others. Mindfulness
allows us to really slow down and become aware of our experiences that include thought
patterns, sensations, emotions, and beliefs. We then can get curious and study which
beliefs empower us and which may keep us stuck. We then can make choices from an empowered
view to help us in relationships, work, school, and how we want our lives to be.
If you're curious about CNSL 72 Stress Wellness and Coping, check out my course syllabus here! I look forward to meeting you or seeing you at the MHWC or in class!
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