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Last edited 09/03/2024

Headshot of Paulina Mendez, Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate

Paulina Mendez

Accepting New Clients
Online in North Carolina
Headshot of Paulina Mendez, Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate
Identifies As
CisgenderLatinxPansexualBIPOC, LGBTQIA+Living with Depression, Millennial, Immigrant / 1st Generation American
Get To Know Me
Location
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Specialties
Specializes in
Loss/GriefSelf-EsteemRace & Cultural IdentityWomen's issuesBurnout
General Expertise
DepressionAnxietyCareersWork StressAddictionAbuse/Survivors of abuseAnger managementAttachment issuesPost-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)StressTraumaImmigration EvaluationsCoping SkillsIntimate Partner Violence & Domestic Violence
Treatment Approaches
Strength Based TherapyCulturally Sensitive TherapyPerson-Centered TherapyFeminist TherapyMulticultural TherapySomatic TherapyDialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Motivational InterviewingAcceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Attachment-Based TherapySolution-Focused Brief Therapy
Clientele
Types of Therapy
Individual Therapy
Serves Ages
Young Adults (18-24)Adults (25-65)
Languages
EnglishSpanish
Insurance & Fees
Insurances Accepted
Aetna
Cash Pay Rates/Out-of-Pocket
First Session:$130
Individual Therapy:$130
Professional Background
Licensure
Under Supervision: Paulina Mendez, Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate, P019444 is practicing under the supervision of Monique Krape (North Carolina, LCSW, # C013437) at Alegria Counseling.
Please, note: A clinician listed as being “clinically supervised” is completing clinical hours toward their licensure. They have one or more fully licensed clinical supervisors that often have special training. They consult with their supervisor(s) on all of their cases.
Training/CertificationsCuranderismo: Traditional Medicine without BordersRacial Equity Institute Groundwater TrainingRacial Equity Institute Phase 1 TrainingWhiteness at Work
Education
Western Carolina University, Master of Social Work, Addictions, 2023 — I participated in the Opioid Workers Expansion Program (OWEP), had the opportunity to work with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) NC, and did my specialization placement at the Julian F. Keith Alcohol Drug Abuse Treatment Center (JFK ADATC), working with patients in active detox in the Acute Care Unit. Additionally, upon graduation, I was humbled to receive the Good Trouble Award, an award inspired by the late Representative and Civil Rights Activist John Lewis.
University of North Carolina at Asheville, Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, 2009 — I co-led the Latine group on campus, Herman@s Orgullosos en Las Americas (HOLA), and advocated for access to higher education for undocumented and unDACAmented students. I was humbled to receive the Rising Star Award and the Political Science Internship Award for my work at the National Council of La Raza (NCLR), now known as UnidosUS.
Work HistoryI’m a bilingual Spanish-English therapist dedicated to decolonizing therapy and providing trauma-informed care that truly respects each client’s unique experiences. My work is centered on creating warm and inviting spaces where healing can thrive. I draw from my background in various therapeutic approaches, including ACT, DBT, MI, SFBT, and Somatic Experiencing, to co-create individualized treatment plans that resonate with clients' needs. Through my private practice, Alegría Counseling, I manage everything from budgeting and marketing to client care, ensuring an equitable and inclusive approach. My work isn’t just about individual therapy; it’s also about looking at the bigger picture and recognizing how systemic issues impact mental health. Before starting my private practice, I gained valuable experience in roles that deepened my commitment to equity, community engagement, and systemic change. As the Family Justice Division Manager at the Buncombe County Family Justice Center, I coordinated efforts across ten partner agencies to tackle domestic violence and sexual assault. This role allowed me to refine my leadership skills, manage substantial budgets, and develop a deep understanding of how community partnerships can drive meaningful change. I was not just managing a division; I was working to ensure that survivors had access to compassionate, coordinated support that acknowledged their unique circumstances. My time as a Training Consultant for the City of Asheville's Equity & Inclusion office gave me a unique perspective on the importance of systemic change. I created and facilitated equity training programs for city staff and leadership, focusing on integrating inclusion into everyday practices. Working directly with departments to execute the Citywide Equity Action Plan, I helped build capacity and accountability within the city’s workforce, ensuring that the principles of equity weren’t just discussed but actively implemented. Earlier in my career, I worked with the WNC Diversity Engagement Coalition, where I developed programs designed to support and retain multicultural professionals in the region. This work involved organizing educational and networking events, managing communications, and fostering relationships across diverse community groups. It was here that I honed my skills in creating safe, engaging learning environments and developed my passion for promoting inclusivity in every space I enter. These experiences, along with my leadership roles in various community boards and commissions, have shaped my approach to therapy. I bring a systems lens to my work, understanding that individual well-being is deeply connected to the larger social context. My strategic thinking, organizational skills, and commitment to equity are the foundation of my practice, helping me support clients in not just healing from personal trauma but also navigating and challenging the systemic barriers they face.
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s not uncommon to have questions before starting therapy. Paulina Mendez, LCSW-A, has answered a few of the questions they receive most often from new clients.