New book — Stand Up, Speak Up, and Heal · Coming this November → Learn more

Healing from Racism Stress Book

A therapist's profile page displays text on the left alongside a book cover mockup on the right advertising a forthcoming publication about race-based stress an
Book cover with red and orange gradient background displaying large cream and yellow text reading "Stand Up, Speak Up, and Heal" with author names at bottom

I’m co-authoring a book to educate people on racial trauma, and offer skills to emotionally ground, stand up, and speak up. Release date is November 2026!

We are ecstatic to have found a home at New Harbinger Publications among talented and heart centered therapist authors.

While this is exciting for us to use our voice to speak up via writing this book, it will also be very heavy as we wade through the literature and stories of racism, discrimination, and microaggressions. At the same time, we find comfort in being able to do it in sisterhood - grieving, honoring, holding space for each other and committing to joy together.

Stand Up, Speak Up and Heal: Overcome Race-Based Traumatic Stress isn't just another self-help book. It's what I wish had existed when I was navigating the daily weight of race-based stress—that exhausting reality of moving through spaces that weren't designed with us in mind.

This book brings together DBT skills, self-compassion practices, and social justice principles in a way that actually makes sense for BIPOC folks. No academic jargon. No bypassing the reality of systemic oppression. Just practical tools rooted in cultural understanding and collective healing.

Here's where I need to ask for your support:

Pre-orders matter more than you might think. Publishing is an industry that pays attention to early momentum, and strong pre-order numbers can mean:

  • Better placement in bookstores (both online and physical)
  • Increased marketing support from the publisher
  • More visibility in algorithms and recommendation lists
  • Greater likelihood of media coverage and reviews
  • A stronger signal that this work matters to communities who need it most

When you pre-order, you're not just getting a book. You're amplifying a message that race-based stress is real, that our healing matters, and that culturally responsive mental health resources deserve space in mainstream conversations.

You can pre-order here:

New Harbinger Publications: link coming soon

Amazon: Stand Up, Speak Up and Heal Amazon link

Barnes & Noble: Stand Up, Speak Up and Heal Barnes & Noble Link

And if you're able to take it one step further, share this with someone in your life who might benefit. Post about it. Tell a friend. Forward this email. Every single action creates ripples.

This book exists because we refused to accept that race-based stress should just be something we "deal with." It exists because we believe our communities deserve tools that honor our lived experiences while supporting real healing.

Thank you for being part of this journey. Thank you for believing that our stories, and our healing matter.

Want to have me come speak about the book at your agency or program? Feel free to email me at sofia@sofiamendozalcsw.com.

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Reach out about talks, agency workshops, or anything else — I’ll get back to you within a day or two.

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Please don't share clinical or health details here — this is a simple inquiry form, not secure intake, so keep it to what's comfortable. This form isn't for emergencies. If you are in crisis or experiencing a life-threatening emergency, call 911, or call or text 988. You can also call 1 (800) 854-7771 for emergency evaluation by the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health.

You'll hear back within a day or two. Se habla Español.