LCSW, 12 years of experience
Hello, I’m Jennifer Mendoza, LCSW, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in child, adolescent, and family mental health based in Northern California. Over the past 12 years, I have provided psychotherapy and clinical supervision across a wide range of community and clinical settings. My work has focused on comprehensive assessment, diagnosis, and treatment for children, teens, and families, as well as supporting young professionals and adults navigating life transitions. Much of my professional experience has been rooted in community-based mental health, where I have served as both a therapist and clinical supervisor in child and youth-focused programs. My therapeutic approach is trauma-informed, evidence-based, and culturally responsive, integrating person-centered practices that honor each client’s unique strengths and experiences. In addition to my community work, I have also provided therapy in group private practice settings and most recently served as a mental health therapist at LPCH Stanford Child and Adolescent Psychiatry’s Mood Disorders Clinic, where I supported youth and families coping with complex mood and anxiety disorders.
In our first session together, we'll start with brief introductions, then dive into the specific challenges that lead you to seek therapy for your child/adolescent. This will help me create a tailored plan for us to work through in follow-up sessions.
My strengths lie in my 10 yrs. of experience with at with children, adolescents, at risk youth, trauma- informed care. I' m also provide culturally sensitive practices and am bilingual in English and Spanish.
Preferred client population: I enjoy working with children, adolescents, and families navigating the challenges of growth and change. My clients, typically between ages 10–21, are often in key stages of identity exploration and psychosocial development, learning how to better understand themselves and their world. I provide a safe, supportive space to explore emotions, strengthen coping skills, and develop healthy relationships and self-confidence through evidence-based, developmentally attuned care. I also enjoy working with young professionals in the early stages of their careers who are motivated to grow but may feel stuck, overwhelmed, or anxious as they navigate new responsibilities and transitions. Together, we identify barriers to progress, build emotional insight, and cultivate the practical and internal tools needed to move forward with confidence and balance.
Over the past 12 years, I have integrated Attachment Theory into my therapeutic work as a foundational framework for healing and growth. This evidence-based approach helps individuals of all ages learn two essential life skills: how to form healthy, secure relationships and how to maintain emotional safety. Therapy begins with a comprehensive assessment where we explore early emotional bonds and patterns in the parent-child relationship to better understand your child or adolescent’s attachment style, self-perception, and relational patterns across key environments—home, school, and community. From there, we develop a personalized treatment plan focused on strengthening emotional regulation, relationship-building skills, and overall social-emotional functioning. The active phase of treatment integrates strategies that promote trust, empathy, and vulnerability to support long-term relational health.
For nearly a decade, I have applied Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help children, adolescents, and adults better understand the connection between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. CBT is one of the most research-supported methods for treating anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, and adjustment challenges. In working with younger clients (as early as age seven), I adapt CBT techniques into developmentally appropriate and engaging tools that help them recognize unhelpful thought patterns and build practical coping skills. Together, we focus on developing emotional insight, testing thoughts, and adopting healthier perspectives that foster resilience, improved mood, and overall mental well-being.
Throughout my 12 years of clinical practice, I have consistently used a Strength-Based approach to empower clients to identify and leverage their unique strengths and inner resources. This evidence-based framework encourages children and adolescents to notice their personal abilities, recognize strengths in others, and apply these skills toward positive change. Research supports that understanding and utilizing one’s strengths enhances self-esteem, motivation, and goal achievement—all central to building lasting confidence and emotional well-being.
For the past 10 years, I have incorporated Psychoeducation as a key therapeutic tool with children, adolescents, and families. By providing clear information about mental health, emotional functioning, and the treatment process, psychoeducation helps clients and caregivers develop greater understanding, self-awareness, and emotional literacy. This approach reduces stigma, promotes active participation in therapy, and supports more informed decision-making—leading to stronger treatment outcomes and improved family communication.
Over the last 9 years, I have implemented Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) to support children and adolescents recovering from traumatic experiences. TF-CBT is a structured, evidence-based model proven to reduce trauma-related symptoms such as anxiety, depression, behavioral difficulties, and emotional dysregulation. This approach also includes a vital caregiver component, helping parents process their own emotional responses, strengthen parenting skills, and rebuild positive, secure connections with their child following trauma.
3 ratings with written reviews
July 25, 2025
Jennifer Mendoza is warm, authentic, and truly cares about her clients. From the start, she made me feel seen and supported. Her professionalism and compassion are unmatched! She listens without judgement and offers thoughtful guidance that has helped me grow. She brings both heart and skill to every session, and I’m incredibly grateful. Working with her has been one of the best decisions I’ve made for my mental health. She has consistently shown up with compassion, and a genuine presence!
April 25, 2025
She gives me strength and ideas on things I didn’t know. A total pleasure.
April 22, 2025
Felt like Jennifer heard and understood where I am coming from.