Jennifer Mendoza, LCSW- Therapist for Moms in
San Diego, CA
I'm committed to helping you nurture yourself.
LCSW | PMH-Certified
I'm Jen, a mental health therapist for women and mothers who want to build their confidence, find calm, and connect to their intuition to become the mothers they want to be.
You are trying your hardest to be the mom you always pictured becoming, but inside you're feeling overstimulated, touched out and like you're already "failing" at being a mom.
You are navigating pregnancy after loss, birth trauma, or unexpected medical diagnoses. You are tired of being told by friends and family how "strong" you are (when all you really want is to have a "normal" mothering experience).
You are realizing that new motherhood is not going the way you had imagined.
Well, I'm glad you're here.
I have worked to create the kind of non-judgmental therapy space where I would want to find myself as a client.
A space where you can speak the scary thoughts and reflect on some deeply-held beliefs, while knowing you won't be shamed for it.
A space where we can discuss societal pressures and dismantle picture-perfect motherhood, while building hope for something better in the same conversation.
I created this space for women who are tired of feeling overwhelmed, full of self-doubt and isolated, wondering when their village is going to show up.
This space is for you.
My Approach to Therapy for Moms
Whether you have been in therapy before or if this is your first time opening up to someone, I will take things at your own pace as we build trust and safety.
My hope is that you will feel free to share the messy parts of life as we work to explore the hopes & expectations you have for yourself and your relationships.
In the therapy room, I show up authentically as myself. Because I am genuinely invested in your growth, I will not shy away from gently challenging you in our sessions in order to support you.
I utilize a holistic approach- which means that I do not focus on a label or diagnosis, but I see you as a "whole" person and take your mental, emotional, physical and spiritual well-being into account.
We will highlight your strengths and all of the wonderful things that make you unique, as you step into a more empowered version of yourself.
What can Therapy for Moms help me with?
I work with women who come from various backgrounds and cultures.
Topics that I support women through include:
-
Pregnancy loss
-
High risk pregnancy/medical complications
-
NICU experiences & parenting babies with complex medical needs
-
Childhood trauma & history of abuse
-
Military life/ first responders and related issues
-
Breaking cycles & healing inter-generational trauma
In addition to my specialized training in perinatal and reproductive mental health, I also offer care that is attachment and trauma focused. We will focus on building coping skills to help you feel calm and cope with distress, explore and understand how past experiences and relationships are affecting you now, and utilize different therapeutic approaches to process and heal from trauma and other disturbing experiences.
Many of my clients appreciate the use of a mind-body approach in their therapy, as I pull from somatic techniques and various evidence-based therapy approaches. I am trained in EMDR and am happy to discuss if this is an approach that can help you heal from traumatic experiences.
How I became a Therapist for Moms
I am a mom of two wonderful toddlers. Yes, two under two is wild ya'll! I am also a wife to my husband of nearly 15 years.
I'm a California native and pursued my undergraduate degree in Sociology at California State University Northridge, and my Master of Social Work degree at the University of Southern California. I lived in Hawaii for 7 years and that really spoiled me in terms of amazing beaches! But I still enjoy a good beach day in San Diego.
My work has been guided by my clinical experiences as a trauma therapist for nearly ten years in the military setting, and my experiences on my personal journey to motherhood.
My lived experience with infertility, traumatic child birth, postpartum stress & parenting a child with complex medical needs fuels my passion to hold space and empower other women as they navigate these difficult and transformative seasons.
I have advanced training in maternal and reproductive mental health, as a Perinatal Mental Health Certified (PMH-C) therapist with Postpartum Support International.
Because I feel strongly that women and families deserve specialized support, I prioritize continued growth as a therapist, and pursue advanced trainings and professional consultation to support the work I love to do.
I Value
collaboration empowerment authenticity
Trainings & Certifications
The Advanced Practice of EMDR for Perinatal and Infant Mental Health (Touchstone Institute)
Perinatal Mental Health Certification (PMH-C) through Postpartum Support International (PSI)
Advanced Perinatal Mental Health Psychotherapy, Postpartum Support International (PSI)
Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders: Components of Care, (PSI)
Essentials of Reproductive Therapy: Infertility, Pregnancy Loss, Trauma, Donor Conception & More (Koser, Covington, Covington & Applegarth)
Perinatal Loss: An Attachment- Informed Treatment Framework for Helping Clients Process & Heal from Pregnancy Loss (Osborn)
EMDR Training (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), EMDR Institute, Inc
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT): Externship, Core Skills Stage 1 & Stage 2
Trauma Resiliency Model, Level 1
Professional Affiliations
Postpartum Support International (PSI)
Postpartum Health Alliance (PHA)
Perinatal Mental Health Alliance for People of Color