08-09-2026 Interviewer: Elisa A. Escalante/ LCSW / Writer/ BJJ practitioner Interviewee: Jose Rosado / Stage name: Salsa Picante / Exotic Dancer/ Martial artist I met Jose Rosado back when I lived/ worked in NYC and trained at several different martial arts gyms. The amazing thing about martial arts is that it brings together many differentContinue reading “Dancing into their Fantasies”
Tag Archives: society
Future Faking
Elisa A. Escalante/ LCSW/ 08-05-2026 “ You left me with a memory. But how can I live with that? I don’t need another reminder, that there was once a home, that almost felt like home.” -EaE Maybe I should start by sharing a list of things that I was promised, but did not receive. HelpContinue reading “Future Faking”
Surrender
Elisa A. Escalante/ LCSW/ 03-01-2026 At least once a month I receive another burnt out client with a goal to increase their productivity. This is obviously counter productive, but they are in denial. Some of the work ahead includes helping them learn to accept and surrender to their new reality. The reality being that theyContinue reading “Surrender”
CPTSD & Internalized Beliefs
Elisa A. Escalante/ LCSW/ 01-23-2026 Complex trauma in childhood tends to lead to internalized concrete beliefs that can rule our emotions, thought patterns and even our behaviors. Childhood traumas can include physical, mental, verbal, financial, sexual abuse, abandonment, neglect and or bullying. Below is an example of some of these concrete beliefs and how theyContinue reading “CPTSD & Internalized Beliefs”
Mental Punishments
Elisa A. Escalante/ LCSW/ 12-27-2025 Mental disorders are finally getting some recognition and empathy, but there is still a long way to go with educating our general public. One topic that is rarely highlighted, is how our mental illnesses can bleed onto other people. People do not choose to have mental disorders, it’s an unfortunateContinue reading “Mental Punishments”
Never Thankful
Elisa A. Escalante/ LCSW/ 11-27-2025 “You walk through life while a rain storm follows. And all the while, people talk to you about the sun, as if you can feel it.” I want to be more satisfied. With the world, with other people, and with myself. Trauma and depression were my greatest barriers. But, itContinue reading “Never Thankful”
Grappling through Life
Interviewer: Elisa A. Escalante/ LCSW/ BJJ Purple belt Interviewee: Joshua Murdock/ BJJ Black belt/ Pedigo Submission Fighting–Daisy Fresh Team-Mt Vernon, IL/ Bronze Medalist ADCC Open & Master Worlds IBJJF The Brazilian jiu jitsu circle is small. Chances are if I do not know a BJJ athlete, I at least know someone who knows them. IfContinue reading “Grappling through Life”
Sex Therapy
Interviewer: Elisa A. Escalante, LCSW, Advanced Cert in Veteran services, Martial artist Interviewee: Ashleigh Jackson, LMHC, Level II EMDR, certified sex therapist, Yoga instructor Ashleigh Jackson is a licensed mental health counselor in Florida and has owned her own private practice since 2016. I originally followed Ashleigh Jackson on TikTok. Why? Because I am interestedContinue reading “Sex Therapy”
Spectrums
Elisa A. Escalante/ LCSW/ 06-30-2025 Do you recall any time in your life when the people around you gave you warnings of what to do or what not to do? Don’t do that too much, it could be a crutch. Don’t isolate too much, but also you don’t need to be around people all theContinue reading “Spectrums”
Men’s Mental Health
Elisa A. Escalante/ LCSW/ 6-7-2025 “A man will kill himself before he will ever speak his pain.” -EaE All I can write about is my perspective as an outside observer to a group of people that exist; my male peers, my male family members, my male clients, and men I’ve dated. First off, there areContinue reading “Men’s Mental Health”
Functionally Mental 