Individual therapy
$200
per 1-hour session
Complimentary 15-minute consultation to see if I'm a good fit for your needs. HSA/FSA accepted · Lyra EAP provider · out-of-network receipts available.
Liberation is something you can practice every day.
I'm Sofia Mendoza. My practice pairs a race-based trauma and social justice lens with evidence-based care.
E. Sofia Mendoza, LCSWAuthor · Speaker · Psychotherapist
New training for cliniciansSee the training →
Healing is Resistance
A 3-hour live training in Long Beach on DBT-informed clinical skills for race-based traumatic stress, built on the book. Thursday, November 5, 2026, 1–4pm.
Where to start
Healing doesn't only happen in the therapy room.
ResourcesMending RootsThe writing, courses, resources, and tools I've built for BIPOC and first-generation folks.Explore Mending Roots →For therapistsConsultation and trainingCultural competence and trauma-informed practice, for counselors, clinicians and organizations.See how we could work together →TherapyWorking together, one to oneWeekly sessions or half-day intensives. Virtual across California, in person in Long Beach & LA.See the specialties →
Does this sound familiar?
You carry more than anyone sees
Traditional therapy often misses the mark when it doesn't account for your cultural identity and lived experience — how racism and oppression affect your mental health, and the cultural strengths and ancestral wisdom that sustain you.
Success feels like survivalYou climbed mountains to get here — but the view from the top is lonely, and the hypervigilance that got you here now leaves you depleted.
The invisible load of motherhoodMothering as a woman of color carries layers the parenting books skip — healing your own story while being everyone’s “strong” one.
Your body keeps score of generational painMicroaggressions, systemic barriers, and inherited trauma live in your nervous system. Your body remembers what your mind tries to rationalize.
The exhaustion of being “strong” all the timeBeing the backbone for everyone leaves little room for your own needs — and rest can arrive wrapped in guilt.
About Sofia
A trauma therapist
My approach combines compassion and research to help people feel validated as they take the necessary steps toward their goals and values. I practice through a trauma and social justice lens, adapting decolonizing, race-based, and inner-child approaches to what each client is carrying.
- EMDR-certified
- DBT, CBT & ACT
- Perinatal mental health
- Bilingual & bicultural
New — coming this NovemberLearn more about the book →
I co-authored a book — and we wrote it for us.
Stand Up, Speak Up, and Heal brings DBT, cultural grounding, and Mindful Moment Reflections together in one guide to overcoming race-based traumatic stress — written with Lisa Bolden, PsyD and Lizbeth Gaona, PhD, LCSW. Published by New Harbinger.
Specialties
See all specialties →Healing, understanding and validation
First Generation ProfessionalsAs a First Gen, I know the impact of standing at the intersection of race, class and gender — and I invite you to heal, understand, and validate your experiences.Learn more →
Depression & AnxietyAnxiety doesn’t have to control you. Care tailored to your unique needs, focused on managing symptoms and befriending your nervous system.Learn more →
BurnoutFor helpers and healers whose bodies, hearts, and minds carry the work. Caring for yourself lets you keep caring for others.Learn more →
Trauma & EMDRTrauma affects how you think, feel, and behave. EMDR and evidence-based treatment help you cope with symptoms and reclaim your life.Learn more →Frequently asked questions
Common questions before we start
Talking to a stranger about your problems can feel scary. Therapy provides an avenue to discuss your challenges with someone trained to listen non-judgmentally — and together we can set goals toward a happier life.
How much does therapy cost?
My current fee is $200 per 1-hour session. A 15-minute consultation to see if I am a good fit for your needs is complimentary.
How do I make an appointment to schedule an evaluation?
You can request an appointment for evaluation by calling me by phone at (323) 351-1741. You can also e-mail me at sofia@sofiamendozalcsw.com.
(I usually get back to people within a day or two)
If you are experiencing a life threatening emergency, please call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest emergency room for assistance.
You can also call 1 (800) 854-7771 for emergency evaluation by the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health.
What payment methods do you take?
I accept major credit card payments (via my electronic platform or square invoicing) at the beginning of session. I am also registered as a healthcare provider and accept HSA (Healthcare Spending Account) and FSA (Flex Spending Account) cards.
Do you take insurance?
I take Lyra: I am a provider for the EAP (Employee Assistance Program) Lyra. Please speak with your HR to see if you have this benefit.
Otherwise, I am an out-of-network provider, therefore I do not take insurance as a source of payment. I can however, provide a receipt for PPO – out of network reimbursement. Please discuss with your insurance provider or health care spending account about reimbursement. I do take Health Care Spending cards and can provide invoices for you to submit.
Can my employer pay for services?
It depends. I am paneled with the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Lyra. Ask your human services representative if you have Lyra.
Some employers cover the cost of therapy. Ask your HR. I also have experience with having employers pay me for their employees session especially when there are grief, loss, or trauma related stressors due to the work environment. This is a good option for small companies. Session details remain completely confidential (except for mandated reporting reasons), however, your employer does receive an invoice after the session took place for payment purposes only. You would have to consent to this disclosure.
¿Hablas Español?
Si, hablo Español y tengo experiencia en proveer terapia desde el año 2007 con niños, jovenes, familias y adultos. Para mas informacion, por favor llame al (323) 351-1741.
For clinicians & agenciesExplore consultations →
Consultation, EMDR consultation & trainings
I also work alongside fellow professionals — EMDR consultation toward certification, clinical case consultation, and trainings for agencies and teams supporting communities of color.
Mending Roots
All articles →Resources & articles
Cultural Identity & Mental HealthBeing a Woman of Color with Autoimmune Disease: The Mental Health Side That's Often Overlooked
Trauma & ResilienceWhat Pilates taught me about Trauma Informed Care, Consent and Body Tending
Cultural Identity & Mental HealthBIPOC Maternal Mental Health & The Mindful Mama Wellness Kit