Dr. Franklin aims to work collaboratively with clients to empower them in various capacities —including individual therapy work and group therapy. She has worked with a wide range of clients at various counseling centers in Southern California, including the University of California San Diego and the University of San Diego, among others. She has experience treating a diverse range of mental health concerns including depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, relationship issues, family concerns, sexuality, academic and career concerns, substance use, and identity development issues.
Dr. Shannon Franklin is a licensed psychologist specializing in LGBTQ+ concerns, gender identity, multiculturalism/anti-racism, and trauma. In addition, Dr. Franklin is on the leadership team at Hillcrest Psychological Associates, where she leads seminars and trainings, provides supervision to psych associates, and treats individual clients who identify as QTBIPOC (queer, trans, black, indigenous, and/or people of color).
Yes—hypersexuality can be a trauma response. It’s not always. But for many people, sexual behavior that developed in response to trauma isn’t necessarily about desire. It’s the nervous system reaching for safety, control, and protection. As Dr. Mae Casanova, PsyD, a licensed clinical psychologist and clinician at Monima Wellness, explains, “At some point, the brain and the body worked together
If you’ve been feeling stuck in anxiety, exhaustion, or a kind of tension you can’t quite explain, your nervous system may be at the center of it. Healing your nervous system means helping your body move out of a prolonged stress state and back toward a sense of safety and balance—and research confirms this is possible at any age, not
We’re excited to share that Dr. Rose Schlaff, Doctor of Physical Therapy at Monima Wellness Center in San Diego, has been invited to speak at the 23rd International Hawai’i Summit in Honolulu this March. Hosted by the Institute on Violence, Abuse and Trauma (IVAT), this annual gathering brings together professionals from around the world to address the prevention, assessment, and
Effects of emotional abuse on women include cognitive impairments in memory and concentration, chronic anxiety and depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and difficulty trusting others in future relationships. Emotional abuse leaves invisible scars that can profoundly impact every aspect of a woman’s life. Unlike physical abuse, which leaves visible marks, emotional and verbal abuse operates through manipulation, control, and psychological
Explore this in-depth guide explaining how Adderall uniquely affects women, covering hormones, heart risks, and mental health considerations.
This guide answers “what high-functioning alcoholism really means, the signs that are easy to overlook, and how help can restore your health and freedom.
This guide explores how emotional hypervigilance develops, how to recognize its signs and triggers, and what healing can look like.
This PHP vs IOP guide is designed to help women and female-identifying individuals understand the meaningful differences between each treatment plan.
For many women, menopause arrives not as a single defining moment but as a gradual shift that leaves them wondering: Why don’t I feel like myself anymore? If you’ve found yourself asking this question—feeling like something fundamental has changed but unable to pinpoint exactly what—you’re not alone. The symptoms of menopause extend far beyond hot flashes, touching every aspect of
When you’re struggling with anxiety, trauma, or depression, well-meaning advice to “just calm down” or “think positively” can feel not only unhelpful but dismissive. If you’ve felt frustrated by the disconnect between knowing intellectually that you’re safe while your body continues to feel threatened, you’re not alone—and there’s a scientific explanation for what you’re experiencing. Polyvagal theory offers a revolutionary
If you or someone you love has experienced intimate partner violence (also colloquially referred to as domestic violence), you’re not alone—and healing is possible. This October, during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Monima Wellness Center is proud to sponsor the 2025 No Silence No Violence Annual Fundraiser, “Jewels of the Night,” a powerful evening dedicated to supporting survivors and raising awareness
You may have seen posts about “CPTSD Awareness Month” spreading across social media this September, with many women sharing their experiences and recognizing trauma responses they never realized were connected to their past. This grassroots awareness movement has emerged from growing recognition that many trauma responses don’t fit traditional PTSD frameworks, particularly for women and female-identifying individuals who’ve experienced prolonged,
When you’re searching for a mental health treatment center in San Diego that truly understands women’s unique healing journey, it can feel overwhelming to navigate the many options available. If you’ve been struggling with mental health concerns and looking for women’s mental health centers in San Diego that offer equine therapy, or simply wondering if equine therapy would be helpful
When traditional talk therapy feels insufficient for addressing deep-rooted trauma or mental health challenges, many women are discovering the transformative power of equine therapy for mental health. At Monima Wellness Center in San Diego, we integrate this innovative approach into our comprehensive treatment programs, witnessing remarkable breakthroughs in healing and recovery. Equine therapy for mental health involves therapeutic interactions with
If you’ve been wondering, “Why do I feel so unstable all the time?” or struggling to understand intense mood swings that seem to control your life, you’re not alone. For many women, these experiences may signal bipolar disorder—a treatable mental health condition that affects approximately 2.8% of adults, with recent research showing women are increasingly diagnosed more frequently than men.
Healing avoidant attachment style involves developing a greater sense of emotional safety, learning to tolerate closeness without shutting down, and gradually building trust through consistent, healthy relationships. For many people, the idea of vulnerability in relationships feels uncomfortable, even threatening. If you find yourself pulling away when partners get too close, struggling to express emotions, or feeling suffocated by others’
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by memories, emotions, or triggers that bring you back to a painful experience, you’re not alone. Trauma can leave lasting marks on both your body and mind, causing automatic responses that aim to shield you from further harm. These are called trauma responses, and they can show up in your daily life, affecting your relationships,
What is an Attachment Disorder in Adults? Attachment disorders in adults are patterns of difficulty forming and maintaining healthy emotional connections with others, stemming from disrupted or inconsistent caregiving experiences during childhood. These disorders manifest as persistent challenges with trust, intimacy, emotional regulation, and relationship stability that significantly impact daily functioning and well-being. Monima Wellness Center is a specialized women’s
Developing secure, healthy relationships starts with understanding our attachment patterns. For those with anxious attachment styles, relationships can feel like an emotional rollercoaster, filled with intense connections, fear of abandonment, and constant worry about a partner’s feelings. The good news is that with awareness and the right approach, it’s possible to heal these patterns and develop more secure, fulfilling connections.
Have you ever found yourself constantly second-guessing your own thoughts, feelings, or even memories? If so, you may be experiencing gaslighting—a subtle yet dangerous form of emotional abuse that manipulates your sense of reality. Gaslighting can happen in any relationship, whether it’s romantic, familial, or professional, and its long-term impact on mental health can be devastating. At Monima Wellness Center,
Military life creates unique mental health challenges for the spouses and partners of service members. At Monima Wellness Center, we understand that while you may not wear the uniform yourself, you carry significant emotional burdens that deserve specialized support and recognition. The Hidden Struggles of Military Spouses The life of a military spouse often involves frequent relocations, extended separations, constant
Military Sexual Trauma (MST) refers to experiences of sexual assault or repeated, threatening sexual harassment that occurred during military service. These traumatic experiences can have profound and lasting effects on a person’s mental, emotional, and physical well-being. This resource aims to provide education about MST, its impacts, and pathways to healing. If you or a loved one is looking for
When you’re seeking help for mental health concerns, navigating the various types of mental health professionals can feel overwhelming. At Monima Wellness Center in San Diego, we understand that knowing the difference between a psychiatrist, a psychologist, and a therapist is crucial to finding the proper support for your unique needs. This comprehensive guide will help you understand the distinctions
Somatic therapy is a form of body-centered treatment that uses the connection between mind and body to help release trauma, regulate emotions, and promote healing through physical awareness and sensation. This approach has emerged as a powerful method that honors the profound connection between our physical bodies and psychological wellbeing. At Monima Wellness, we recognize that healing doesn’t just happen
Originally Published: January 15, 2025, in the San Diego Magazine. Written by Danielle Allaire. Exploring Dry January SDM staff writer Danielle Allaire documents her journey with sobriety for 30 days to better understand her relationship with alcohol in this four-part series. This is the second in a four-part series. See the first piece here and check back next week for updates on SDM staff
Ketamine, originally developed as an anesthetic in the 1960s, has become a transformative treatment for mental health conditions such as treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, and anxiety. However, because of its association with recreational use as a party drug, many wonder, does ketamine therapy cause intoxication or a “high?” This article explores ketamine’s effects, how it differs in therapeutic settings versus recreational
Embarking on the journey to sobriety is life-changing. Incorporating holistic practices like yoga into your recovery journey can offer significant benefits, especially for women and female-identifying individuals who may also be healing from trauma or co-occurring mental health conditions. At Monima Wellness, a women’s outpatient trauma, mental health, and addiction treatment center in San Diego, we offer yoga as part
Are you or a loved one struggling with depression or chronic suicidal thoughts, feeling like you’ve tried everything, but nothing seems to help? You’re not alone, and there is hope. Traditional treatments like antidepressants and psychotherapy are effective for many, but sometimes, they just don’t work. For those who haven’t found relief through conventional methods, ketamine therapy offers a promising
Originally Published: November 16, 2023, in the San Diego Magazine. Written by Danielle Allaire Monima Wellness Center Monima Wellness Center, San Diego’s first women-only mental health and trauma treatment center, is providing a much-needed safe space for mental health treatment. I remember taking the selfie that changed my life. This memento wasn’t for vanity. It was a digital dead reckoning
