17³Ô¹Ï

Mental Health & Wellness Center

Student Services

Hello!
I’m Alexis Donato, Department Chair of the Mental Health & Wellness Center (MHWC) here at 17³Ô¹Ï. 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 17³Ô¹Ï, 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 here! I look forward to connecting with you—whether in class, at the Wellness Center, or in the Lounge!