Sobriety
Strategies for Alcohol Sobriety During Social Gatherings
As a therapist supporting many folks in their sobriety and recovery, I’ve witnessed the strength it takes to navigate these spaces. Your awareness in planning
As a therapist supporting many folks in their sobriety and recovery, I’ve witnessed the strength it takes to navigate these spaces. Your awareness in planning
In this last month I’ve been giving a lot of though to the concept of letting go of what doesn’t belong to us. This can
In this moment of global uncertainty, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed. This post offers a gentle guide to navigating fear and anxiety, rooted in cultural wisdom and trauma-informed care. We’ll explore validating our emotions, accepting uncertainty, and practical ways to regulate our nervous system. I’m sharing a free “Coloring with Uncertainty” book in English and Spanish—because our healing is collective. Together, we can find strength in our cultural resilience and create moments of calm amid the storm.
In this post, we explore practical, culturally-affirming ways to bring mindfulness into your family’s daily routine. Discover how belly breathing, compassion practice, and even bubble-blowing can help regulate emotions and build resilience. I’m sharing my favorite bilingual resources, from “Sitting Still Like a Frog” to Sesame Street videos, porque our healing journey should reflect the richness of our cultures. Let’s explore how this ancient wisdom, rooted in many of our ancestral traditions, can help us and our little ones navigate life’s challenges with more ease and joy.
In this post, we’re unpacking the unique challenges of First Gen life—from imposter syndrome to the weight of our parents’ sacrifices. I’m sharing a compassionate “To-Say List” that honors our experiences and cultural strengths. Let’s explore how acceptance and self-compassion can transform our healing, moving beyond relentless to-do lists to embrace a gentler way of being. Together, we’ll learn to nurture ourselves with the same cariño we give to others, porque tu vales, exactly as you are.
There are many mothers dealing with intergenerational trauma and postpartum anxiety. There’s hope to heal and catch the warning signs early.
Mother’s Day isn’t always about flowers and brunches. For many of us—especially in First Gen and immigrant families—it’s a day of complex emotions and unspoken grief. This post creates space for those mourning mothers lost, yearning for bonds never formed, or navigating the weight of cultural expectations. Whether you’re missing your mother, grieving a child, or healing from maternal wounds, your feelings are valid. We’ll explore culturally affirming ways to honor your grief, set boundaries with love, and practice self-compassion. Because healing isn’t about “getting over it”—it’s about finding meaning amidst the pain and discovering strength in our shared experiences. Let’s walk this journey together, honoring all forms of motherhood and loss.
When a parent goes to jail, our little ones are left with big emotions and confusing questions. In this post, we’ll explore age-appropriate ways to explain incarceration, validate feelings, and maintain connection. We’ll discuss the power of children’s books like “The Night Dad Went to Jail” in normalizing emotions and starting difficult conversations. Most importantly, we’ll focus on nurturing self-compassion—for both caregivers and children—as we navigate this challenging terrain together. Because even in our darkest moments, there’s always room for healing and hope.
New Year’s resolutions often leave us feeling not good enough. This year, let’s approach growth with gentleness and cultural wisdom. I’m offering 22 soul-nourishing resolutions that honor your inherent worth while encouraging positive change. From embracing rest to challenging negative thoughts, these practices blend evidence-based therapy with our community’s resilience. Whether you’re learning to accept compliments or trying your Tía’s pupusa recipe for the tenth time, we’ll explore ways to nurture self-compassion and connection. Because true growth isn’t about changing who you are—it’s about embracing your whole self, ancestral strength and all.
Dear DACA recipients, I want you to know that you’re not alone. There’s an entire group of community and people who are behind you, advocating
Sofia Mendoza, LCSW offers courses, workshops, and trainings for the public as well as mental health professionals online and throughout Long Beach, Los Angeles and Orange County California. All courses center mental wellness and creating a space to support individuals and professionals in collective healing.
Licensed clinical social worker (LCS28884)
I am a bilingual/bicultural therapist who has specialized in mental health and psychotherapy since 2007.
Available for psychotherapy appointments for first generation professionals, burnout, depression, anxiety, and more virtually, or in Long Beach, California.