Meet Jennifer Mendoza, LCSW, PMH-C | Maternal Mental Health Therapist

Tell us a little bit about what drew you to working with women and mothers and providing therapy? 

I have always been drawn to the field of mental health and supporting individuals in their journey to healing. Early in my career as a therapist, I recognized that my most fulfilling work involved supporting women during big shifts in identity and major life transitions. 

My own journey to motherhood involved challenges with fertility, a difficult birth, and stressful postpartum after the birth of my first baby. I spent time advocating for myself and focused on healing to step into a more empowered version of myself. Ultimately, I gained a deep desire to support women during the most transformative and vulnerable times of their lives. 

These experiences led me to specialize in maternal and reproductive mental health, and I became a Perinatal Mental Health Certified (PMH-C) therapist. My private practice is focused on supporting women through pregnancy, postpartum, birth trauma, fertility challenges, and healing wounds from the past.

What do you wish women and families knew about therapy? 

Many women are apprehensive to begin therapy and don’t think their stressors warrant meeting with a professional, especially if they have never met with a therapist in the past. I want you to know that you do not have to be in a place of deep suffering to begin therapy. It is so normal to need support during the journey to parenthood and beyond. 

There is a range of emotional experiences that can be challenging for families during preconception to postpartum. Therapy can help alleviate the stress, uncertainty, fear, disappointment, sadness and even anger related to the complicated process of adjusting to parenthood.  

Additionally, therapy can help you feel confident in your new identity, break unhelpful generational cycles, improve your relationships, and prioritize nurturing yourself so you can be the present mother you want to be.

How do you observe mental health shift from preconception to postpartum?

Women typically prioritize their mental health needs and engage in self-care practices more consistently prior to having a baby. Once you become a mother, the needs of your baby, societal expectations, and the desire to be a "perfect" parent can lead you to put your own well-being on the back burner. Your family’s needs are important, and you are also so worthy of this care.

Nurturing the nurturers helps ensure that mothers can meet the needs of their growing families while also taking care of their own well-being.

What are some of the signs that a mother might benefit from therapy?

Some signs that a mother could benefit from therapy include: feelings of overwhelming sadness or anxiety, experiencing a difficult or traumatic birth, struggling to feel bonded to baby, difficulty adjusting to motherhood, relationship difficulties, and feeling alone or unsupported in this season. Ultimately, I encourage any mother who is concerned about her emotional wellbeing during pregnancy or postpartum to seek support with a therapist who really gets it. 

What happens at a first appointment with you?

In our first session, we will chat about life before motherhood, and you’ll have the opportunity to share any wins that you’ve experienced in previous counseling experiences. We will talk about how your current situation is impacting you now, your goals for therapy, and how we will walk through this journey together. 

My approach is holistic, and I take into account all areas of your wellbeing. I work collaboratively with other providers that support you to ensure we are all working as a team. While I am trained in various therapeutic techniques, my main priority is providing personalized care that addresses your unique challenges and concerns.

How can we reach out to you to learn more & connect with you?

I am available for in-person therapy support in San Diego, and can also provide online therapy to women living throughout California and Oregon. 

You can book a free consultation directly from my website to learn more about me and to see if we would be a good match to work together. 

www.jennifermendozatherapy.com