Kristina Mendez, Ph.D. (La Jolla)

(She/Her/Hers) Licensed Psychologist

***NOT CURRENTLY TAKING NEW CLIENTS***

Dr. Mendez is a compassionate, humorous and empowering therapist in San Diego who is here to be in partnership with you on your healing journey. She identifies as a multicultural, multi-ethnic, bilingual, Latina therapist and goes by she/her/ella pronouns. First and foremost, Dr. Mendez practices therapy from a feminist multicultural approach, which means that she attunes herself to the societal, cultural and historical systems that impact the wellbeing of her clients. As a feminist multicultural provider, she is actively involved in advocacy and education to decolonize psychological wellness practices. Dr. Mendez specializes in working with adolescent and young adult Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) clientele, including bilingual treatment of Latine and Chicana/o/x clients, clients who identify as first or second generation immigrants, first generation college students, multi-racial clients, trauma survivors, and LGBTQIA2S+ clients.

Dr. Mendez tailors her integration of evidence-based treatment interventions to meet the unique needs of each client, drawing from Interpersonal Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. She has extensive research and clinical experience in the application of mindfulness in prevention and treatment, and authored a chapter in the book Applied Mindfulness: Approaches in Mental Health for Children and Adolescents, published by the American Psychiatric Association. Dr. Mendez specializes in treating chronic stress and trauma, including adverse childhood experiences (ACES), adjustment stressors, acculturative stressors, sexual trauma, migratory trauma, ethnic and race-based stress and trauma, and intergenerational trauma. She treats co-occurring concerns such as anxiety, depression, substance use, negative body image, and disordered eating. Dr. Mendez also supports the integration of decolonized and traditional healing practices as they resonate with each client.

Dr. Mendez completed her American Psychological Association (APA) accredited Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Palo Alto University, her APA-accredited internship at California State University, San Marcos, and her post-doctoral residency at University of California, San Diego’s Counseling and Psychological Services. She has offered therapy, prevention and consultation at various university counseling centers, community mental health centers, nonprofits, and K-12 schools in California.

Dr. Mendez is an in-network therapist for Cigna in San Diego.

Dr. Mendez also writes for our blog, “The Therapy Journey.” Check out her most recent article here:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-therapy-journey/202203/decolonizing-your-wellness