In this episode, Debbie speaks with Dr. Vanessa Vélez, a psychiatrist and psychotherapist focused on integrating mind, body, and soul. Before going into private practice, Dr. Vélez worked in an inpatient psychiatric unit of a hospital with adolescents and adults. Debbie and Dr. Vélez chat about mental illness topics including psychosis, treatment, expectations of hospitalization for loved ones and how to navigate this challenging time, signs to watch for, outpatient resources, housing difficulties for the mentally ill, and how family members can support a loved one with mental illness.



Dr. Vanessa Vélez is a holistic board-certified psychiatrist, therapist, and artist. Dr. Vélez graduated from Cornell University, Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine and Hackensack Meridian Health Psychiatry Residency. She is the founder of Soul Psychiatry, a private practice which focuses on integrating mind, body, and soul for deep healing. Her mission is to help young adults and adult professionals struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, ecological, existential, and spiritual distress find inner peace. Dr. Vélez combines modalities such as psychotherapy and medications, with holistic approaches focusing on spirituality, creativity, and purpose. Dr. Vélez has contributed articles to Psychiatric Times and Kevin MD, and has made appearances in the media including Univision and collaborated with the American Psychiatric Association speaking in Spanish on PTSD. Additionally, she presently showcases artwork at Kelly-McKenna Gallery. Dr. Vélez is currently accepting new patients to her telehealth private practice, Soul Psychiatry, for patients in California. She offers bilingual services in both Spanish and English.

Website:
https://www.vanessavelezmd.com/
LinkedIn:
www.linkedin.com/in/vanessavelezmd
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/vanessavelezmdart/



The host of Finding Peace Beyond the Pain, Debbie Gail Zane, is a Certified Life and Relationship Coach, author of the book Finding Peace and Purpose Amidst the Tears: My Journey of the Love and Loss of My Son through His Mental Illness and Addiction, a single mom of three, and a bereaved parent. She has been a guest on many podcasts, was featured on WAMV Radio, and was recognized by one of the world's biggest influencers, Tony Robbins, for her journey of turning her pain into purpose by helping parents in the aftermath of losing her 26-year-old son following his nine-year battle with schizoaffective disorder and addiction. With a diverse professional background in coaching, speaking, writing, law, and special needs, Debbie brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her work. Debbie is committed to making a difference in the lives of those who are struggling with a loved one's mental illness and addiction and those who have lost a loved one, reminding them that life is precious and that there is peace beyond the pain. Debbie holds multiple coaching certifications, including Practitioner of Excellence Life Coach, Advanced Relationship Coach, and Parent and Family Coach from the Coaching Institute and Robbins Madanes Training, as well as an LLM Masters of Law and a Juris Doctor.

To learn more about Debbie, please visit her websites at: https://debbiegailcoaching.com and https://www.debbiegailzane.com