Clinical tools for immigration fear. Grounding tools for the therapist holding it.
A 2-hour recorded webinar for therapists on adapting COPE AHEAD and PLEASE skills for undocumented clients living with daily immigration fear. Includes guided meditation, bilingual worksheets, and presentation slides.
Sofia Mendoza, LCSW led this webinar days after the ICE raids in Los Angeles. Over 150 therapists from across the country showed up because they needed it immediately. The recording is now available so you can access it on your own time.
“How do I even start to help my community?”
“I feel so helpless.”
“I don’t even have the words for my clients during this difficult time.”
You and thousands of other therapists have had these thoughts in the last few weeks due to the ICE Raids and terrorization that’s happening in our community.
I led this webinar a few days after the raids in Los Angeles with over 150 therapists from across the nation in attendance. I shared how to adapt evidence-based practices and interventions for us and our community as they face real immigration anxiety and stress.
As therapists, we have a responsibility to adapt our evidence-based practices for ALL clients — including those whose immigration status creates daily trauma and fear. Today, our community is in deep, justified fear.
This workshop isn’t just about DBT skills (though we’ll definitely dive deep into COPE AHEAD and PLEASE skill modifications). It’s about therapeutic justice. It’s about recognizing that our undocumented clients deserve mental health support that acknowledges their reality — not one that pretends systemic oppression doesn’t exist.
When your client’s biggest fear isn’t an abstract worry but a daily possibility, standard protocols need cultural adaptation. We’ll explore how to honor both clinical excellence and cultural humility.
Because healing happens in community, and our immigrant communities deserve therapists who see their full humanity.
This presentation is perfect for therapists, clinical social workers, counselors, healers and mental health professionals working with BIPOC and immigrant communities.
Learn to adapt the DBT skills COPE AHEAD and PLEASE specifically for undocumented clients experiencing chronic fear of ICE detention (these skills will also help you as providers too).
This training combines evidence-based DBT techniques with culturally responsive approaches, addressing the unique mental health needs of clients whose immigration status creates ongoing traumatic stress. This training will also offer you skills for yourself as you navigate these difficult conversations and scenarios with the people you serve.
Standard DBT modified for clients whose fear of ICE detention isn't hypothetical. Concrete scripts and plans you can use in session this week.
How to deliver evidence-based care without forcing clients to process their trauma through frameworks that ignore the system causing it.
8 worksheets in English and Spanish, including Cope Ahead plans, compassionate phrases for immigrants and their loved ones, and calming technique guides.
A sound bath meditation, self-soothing exercises, and grounding tools for therapists holding this work, because you can't pour from a nervous system that's running on empty.
Cultural considerations when working with undocumented communities
Discussion around Enhancing Evidence Based Practice with a Decolonizing lens
Modifications to standard COPE AHEAD protocols for immigration-related fears
Addressing intersectional trauma
Rehearsing coping scripts
Dialectics of joy and fear as a tool to navigate these turbulent times
$115 Cost includes:
Proceeds from August 2025 sales were donated to Orale – Long Beach, an “immigrant-led movement to end the criminalization of immigrants and secure bold protections and opportunities that allow immigrant communities to thrive.” *Donation to Orale was sent on August 1, 2025 from all July 2025 sales.*
Proceeds from the June 29th webinar went toward the immigrant rights organization CHILRA who is providing legal support and resources to the community.
E. Sofia Mendoza, LCSW First Gen Latina therapist specializing in trauma-informed, culturally responsive care. EMDR Certified and Approved Consultant. Sofia is also a RESI (Racial Equity Support Initiative) 2025 EMDRIA Leadership Awardee for her work in helping to alleviate the suffering that comes from racial trauma and stress. Additionally, she’s LA County DBT and CBT Certified by the Academy of Cognitive Therapy and CBT Champion versed in adapting EBPs for BIPOC community. Sofia is also currently co-authoring a book focused on Healing from Race Based Stress and Trauma.
Should you, your company or agency want to sponsor spots for therapists who might not be able to afford this webinar please donate here. I’ll also be offering scholarships and free slots as well. In the last round, I was able to offer 2 free slots to student therapists who were just starting their social work careers.
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.
