Melissa E. Mendoza, LMSW
"Picture our deepest wisdom and insights as treasures locked away in a vault. Counseling is the master key, crafted through understanding and empathy, that grants access to these invaluable riches."
Welcome to a Sanctuary for Empaths and Highly Sensitive Individuals
Born and raised in Metro Detroit, and further molded by my years in the vibrant heart of Southwest Detroit, I feel a profound connection with Michigan's rich and diverse tapestry. My personal encounters with depression, anxiety, trauma, and the transformative power of therapy have deeply rooted my empathy and understanding. This empathy resonates especially for those of you who identify as empaths or highly sensitive individuals, facing the intricacies of depression, anxiety, trauma, PTSD, and complex relationships.
By nature, I am an ambivert, which means I blend the reflective qualities of an introvert with the outgoing energies of an extrovert. This duality is especially pronounced during our sessions, where I lean more into my extroverted side, ensuring an active and engaging therapeutic experience. My down-to-earth nature ensures that our interactions remain genuine, relatable, and free from any airs or pretense. It's crucial to understand that the therapeutic bond we'll develop is a unique one. It combines the warmth of a friendly rapport with the clear professional boundaries of a therapeutic relationship. While we'll undoubtedly share moments that feel like camaraderie, it's not the same as traditional friendship. Counseling is a space where I provide unwavering, one-way emotional support, offering you the freedom to delve deep, grow, and heal without added external pressures or biases. This focused nature of therapy guarantees an environment where you are truly listened to, comprehended, and championed.
Understanding Your Unique Challenges:
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Overwhelmed by Emotions: Your heightened sensitivity can often feel like an emotional overload. Every news story or interaction may seem to bear immense emotional weight, leading to exhaustion.
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Loneliness and Isolation: The world doesn't always resonate with the profound depth of your emotional experience, leading to feelings of being misunderstood or isolated.
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Trauma and PTSD: Many among you have faced the shadows of trauma and PTSD. These shadows cast long-standing impacts, leading to anxiety, depression, and relational challenges.
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Tumultuous Relationships: Your empathic nature can sometimes lead to intense relationships. These can be draining, especially if they lack boundaries or understanding.
Evidence-Based Counseling Approaches to Support You:
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Exploration of Emotions: In therapy, we'll utilize evidence-based treatments to delve into understanding your empathic nature, transforming perceived vulnerabilities into strengths.
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Healing from Trauma: Adopting research-supported approaches, we'll collaboratively address trauma and PTSD, aiming to diminish the influence of past events on your present.
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Managing Anxiety & Depression: With the aid of proven strategies, we'll work together to cope with and alleviate the overwhelming sensations of anxiety and depression.
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Navigating Relationships: Guided by evidence-based insights, I'll assist you in learning how to set boundaries, communicate effectively, and foster fulfilling relationships.
My journey took me from personal struggles in university to facing professional challenges and eventually realizing a dream - establishing a private practice in Royal Oak, Michigan. This journey, coupled with my inherent connection to Michigan, equips me to walk beside you.
Embarking on the Therapeutic Journey:
Therapy is more than just a conversation. It's a guided exploration into the deepest corners of your emotions and experiences. Through evidence-based treatments, therapy offers genuine healing and growth, achieved in a safe, structured environment.
While friends offer solace, the therapeutic journey goes beyond. It's about truly understanding, feeling, and growing. Remember, seeking help isn't a sign of weakness; it's a testament to your strength and desire for balance.
If you're ready to begin this transformative journey towards healing, with the support of evidence-based treatments, I'm here to guide, support, and walk alongside you.
You don't have to navigate your unique emotional landscape alone. Your journey deserves understanding, care, and growth. Let's embark on it together.
Education
MSW - Wayne State University
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LMSW)
Years of Experience
10+
Comprehensive Treatment Strategy
Offering young adults empathetic and confidential individual counseling grounded in evidence-based techniques. My therapeutic style combines a humanistic and strengths-focused approach, enriched with intuition. I weave in elements of compassion and humor, ensuring a holistic pathway to help you achieve your aspirations.
Diversity Inclusion Commitment
As a self-identifying Christian, guided by the principle to love all, I am a steadfast ally to diversity. I am committed to serving clients regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, documentation status, gender, sexual orientation (including LGBTQ+), religious or atheistic beliefs, and political views.
Treating
Quarter Life Crisis
Depression
Chronic Sadness
Anxiety
Life After Break-up / Divorce
Partner Problems
Family Problems
Trauma
Adjustment Issues
PTSD
Current & Past Trauma
Low Self-Esteem
Self-Deprecation
Mal-Adaptive Coping
Clients typically seek treatment when level of functioning adversely affected in the following ways / domains:
Difficulty with Regulating Emotions
Self-Care
Social Relationships
Family Living
Work / Life Balance
School / Life Balance
Sample of Treatment Modalities
Christian Counseling
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Compassion Focused Therapy
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
Humanistic
Humor
Interpersonal Therapy
Solution-Focused
Trauma-Focused CBT