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Hello!
I’m Alexis Donato, Department Chair of the Mental Health & Wellness Center (MHWC) here at Foothill College. I wear a few hats; all focused on supporting student mental
health and well-being. I currently teach CNSL 72: Stress Wellness and Coping, provide individual counseling through the MHWC, and serve as the Wellness Lounge Coordinator.
At the MHWC, I help students manage stress, navigate family and relationship challenges,
and open up about things that might feel difficult to share elsewhere. No concern
is too big or too small; if it matters to you, it matters here.
If you’re a student, you’re likely familiar with stress! College is an important and
often transitional time, filled with new responsibilities, self-discovery, and growth.
It’s a balancing act between school, work, relationships, and figuring out who you
are and where you’re headed; whether that’s transferring or starting a career. Building
strong self-care and resilience practices, like mindfulness and self-compassion, can
make all the difference.
In both my counseling sessions and Stress Wellness and Coping class, I help students explore ways to manage life’s challenges and grow personally.
Research consistently shows that when we feel well, we do well—mentally, academically,
and socially.
Beyond Foothill, I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a small private practice. I’ve been practicing since 2001 and licensed since
2007. My clinical work draws from Hakomi and Internal Family Systems, which are somatic, mindfulness-based, and experiential approaches that explores
how we see the world and relate to others. Through mindfulness, we slow down and notice
our thoughts, sensations, emotions, and beliefs. This awareness helps us understand
which patterns empower us and which keep us stuck—so we can make conscious choices
that support how we want to live, love, learn, and grow.
If you're curious about CNSL 72 Stress Wellness and Coping, check out my course syllabus here! I look forward to connecting with you—whether in class, at the Wellness Center,
or in the Lounge!
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