Today we are excited to share with you the audio from our virtual panel presented by our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice (DEIJ) Committee. 

DEIJ Advisors KorbyQuan Reed and Portialyn Buzzanga moderated a conversation on the Queer and BIPOC experience during and after the pandemic. They are joined by Soraiya Khamisa, LCSW, and Kala Lacy, AMFT + CYT, and James Green, LMFT.

The panel focused on the narratives and experiences of Queer folx that also identify as BIPOC and how the pandemic has impacted their lives, where we see hope in 2021, and how clinicians and Acacia can continue to participate in supporting individuals and communities.

Follow Acacia on social media to stay informed on future DEIJ panels!

Today's episode comes courtesy of MHA interns Michelle and Sydney - students at UCSB. For their capstone passion project, they sat down (virtually) with Juliet Betita an LMFT from our Acacia Isla Vista office.

Their conversation centers on the idea of self-love and self-healing. They touch on platonic and romantic relationships, how the pandemic and virtual communication has changed things and embarking on self-love journeys.

Definitely not an episode to miss! Thank you to Michelle, Sydney, and Juliet!

We are joined today by (soon to be Dr.) Quincy Guinadi for a conversation on the international student experience - both from a provider and student perspective. She shares the challenges and joys of studying psychology in a country far from where she grew up in Singapore. We also touch on common misconceptions international students face, her academic journey and dissertation subject, and the lack of research around international student psychology.

Today's episode comes from special guest host Lauren Sugar! Lauren is one of Acacia's Mental Health Advocate interns and a student at UCLA. She is joined today by several of her fellow college students for a conversation on their experiences as students during these difficult times. They talk about coping skills they developed, challenges they faced interacting with professors and employers, and things that have given them joy.

After this round table, Lauren is joined by Acacia provider Jordan Health. She gives her insights on the student's discussion and provides some advice on processing uncertain situations.

Learn more about our MHA program here:

https://acaciacw.com/mha/

Kendra Snyder and Kayla Felten of Reclamation Collective join us on the podcast today for a very insightful conversation on mental health and religion. Reclamation Collective is an organization dedicated to holding space for folks navigating religious trauma, spiritual abuse, and reclamation.

Topics discussed include the impact of fundamentalism and indoctrination on thought patterns, red flags to look out for in organizations, toxic vulnerability, and setting boundaries with family.

Check out the incredible Reclamation Collective organization here. They are based in Minnesota but offer a number of support groups, workshops, and online resources digitally.

Be sure to follow them on Instagram and Facebook as well!

https://www.reclamationcollective.com/

https://www.instagram.com/reclamationcollective/?hl=en

https://www.facebook.com/reclamationcollective/ 

Acacia Westwood provider Mei Ling Acevedo, LCSW joins us for a conversation on the role race, identity, and culture play in the therapeutic process. She talks about how these factors can impact therapy both from a client and therapist standpoint and the importance of sensitivity and inclusion when interacting with clients. She also shares her journey in becoming a therapist, from her background as a stage manager to getting her master's degree in social work in Puerto Rico!

Check out Mei's Acacia profile here!

Nick Koontz, LMFT joins us today on the podcast for a great discussion on the intersection of college athletics, masculinity, and mental health. Nick brings his expertise as a former student-athlete and current therapist for Acacia Telehealth/Reach. We talk about the connection to others that sports provide, get into an interesting conversation around toxic masculinity, how you can find identity through athletics.

Check out Nick's bio on the Acacia website here!

We are joined by Angelle Maua, founder of the Gender Phluid Collective. The Gender Phluid collective is a San Diego-based organization dedicated to providing support, resources, and advocacy to the BIPOC LGBTQ+ communities.

Angelle founded the Gender Phuild Collective after her son's transition when she noticed the need for BIPOC safe, confidential brave spaces for support in LGBTQIA+ communities of color. Her work mainly focuses on transgender, nonbinary and gender nonconforming communities to help ensure they have spaces to be 100% authentic and affirmed. 

Our conversation touches on the founding and mission of the Gender Phluid Collective, barriers to mental health access, and how the Autistic BIPOC LGBTQIA+ community is underserved.

LINKS:

Support the GPC: Venmo

To volunteer, email: [email protected] 

Follow GPC on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook

Amina Mucciolo, @studiomucci on Instagram. She's a visual artist who is queer, Black, and on the autism spectrum, and an awesome advocate!

Can you love others without loving yourself? We are joined this week by Rudi Lion, LMFT for a conversation on self-kindness and internal reflection. Rudi (from Episode 14: Un/Healthy Relationships) shares her perspective as a therapist both at Acacia Isla Vista and in private practice. Tune in to learn how your relationship with yourself can impact others!

Resources mentioned:

• The Body Keeps the Score, Bessel van der Kolk M.D.

Today we discuss the origins and mission of Acacia Roots with Director Andrea Deuring! Acacia Roots provides grants to help low-income students cover insurance co-payments, coinsurance, deductibles, or other financial barriers that prevent them from accessing much-needed services. We want to disrupt inequality and give individuals the tools they need to grow into the people they want to be!

Donate and learn more at acaciacw.com/roots!

Join in our October campaign, Life is Wild on Instagram (@acacia_cw) or Facebook (@acaciacw).

Resources mentioned:

• Active Minds: https://www.activeminds.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Student-Survey-Infographic.pdf