LPCC, 6 years of experience
New to Grow
Hola! I’m Fatima Mendoza, a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC #17018) providing online therapy for adults throughout California. I specialize in supporting individuals navigating anxiety, grief, life transitions, and cultural adjustment, using a grounded, compassionate, and goal-oriented approach. As a bilingual, bicultural therapist and first-generation Latina, I understand the complexity of balancing two cultures, intergenerational expectations, and the pressure to succeed. I offer therapy in both English and Spanish and strive to make the process approachable, especially for those new to therapy or from immigrant and first-gen families.
Our first session will be an opportunity for us to explore if we're a good fit. During this time, I'll ask you to share why you're seeking therapy and what you hope to achieve. I'll also discuss my approach and emphasize that our work together will be collaborative. After our first session, you can decide if you'd like to continue working with me.
I use Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to process past traumatic memories along with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in my therapeutic approach. CBT helps us understand how our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are connected. We'll work together to identify negative thought patterns and replace them with more positive and realistic ones. With EMDR, we will also process past experiences and reframe any negative thoughts associated with the memory. This can help you manage stress, anxiety, and other challenges more effectively.
I work remotely with adults residing in California, including first-generation adults and professionals in education. Growing up as a first-generation adult often means carrying responsibilities that others may not understand. You may feel pulled between honoring family traditions and pursuing your own goals, navigating cultural expectations, or managing guilt when choosing a different path. These pressures can create stress, anxiety, and a sense of not fully belonging. I also have experience working in the educational sector, so I understand the unique challenges teachers, counselors, and administrators face. The demands of teaching, counseling, or school leadership can leave your own well-being overlooked. Therapy provides a safe space to process these challenges, strengthen resilience, and regain balance. Together, we’ll set clear, achievable goals tailored to your unique needs, creating a plan that supports both your personal growth and professional well-being.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) helps with painful memories or past experiences. Instead of feeling stuck in those moments, EMDR helps you process what happened in a safer, more balanced way- making space for healing, relief, and the ability to move forward without being held back by the past.
I believe our thoughts and environment shape how we feel and act. Using CBT, I help you recognize unhelpful patterns and replace them with healthier ones and replace them with healthier ways of thinking to create meaningful and lasting change.
Psychoeducation is an important part of therapy because understanding what you’re experiencing can be just as healing as the tools you use to cope. I like people to understand the “why” behind strategies, rather than just practicing a coping tool because they were told to. Learning how thoughts, emotions, and the body are connected empowers you to make sense of your challenges and feel more in control of your healing journey.
Grief therapy provides a safe space to process loss and the complex emotions that come with it. It can help you understand your feelings, honor your experience, and find ways to adjust and move forward while keeping your loved one’s memory alive.