I'm here to support you through life’s challenges and make meaningful change.
Hi. I'm Mercedes
I’m a first-generation Latina therapist who works with adults navigating relationships with others and with themselves. I bring an understanding of how culture, family dynamics, and identity can shape the way we move through the world, while staying grounded in each client’s unique experiences and supporting them in building insight, confidence, and meaningful change.
I obtained my bachelor's in Psychology at the University of California, San Diego, and completed my graduate training at Pepperdine University. I’ve also spent several years working in community mental health, where I supported individuals from diverse backgrounds navigating complex life stressors, systemic barriers, and relational challenges. My work is grounded in an attachment-focused approach, which means we’ll explore how your past experiences and relationships have shaped the way you connect, communicate, and show up in your life today.
A lot of the people I work with feel stuck in patterns of overthinking, people-pleasing, difficulty setting boundaries, or feeling misunderstood in their relationships. Others find themselves feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or stuck in cycles of low mood, self-doubt, or disconnection from themselves. We’ll build coping skills, strengthen communication, and deepen your understanding of yourself so you can move toward your goals.
Together, we will slow things down and make sense of these patterns and experiences. My approach is collaborative and strength-based so we work together to explore your experiences, build insight, and find ways that feel more aligned with who you are and what you need.
Therapy that honors your whole story— rooted in who you are
How I can support you
My areas of focus include anxiety, depression, self-esteem, and challenges related to relationships, boundaries, and communication. I also support clients navigating family conflict and life stressors, including transitions related to school, career, and identity. My work consists of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), attachment-based, psychodynamic, and strengths-based approaches.
My interest in this work is both personal and professional. I understand how overwhelming it can feel to navigate academic pressure, self-doubt, and moments of feeling like you’re not doing “enough.” At times, these experiences can feel like they come out of nowhere, but over time, I’ve come to understand how different parts of our lives, such as relationships, family dynamics, and past experiences can shape the way we think, feel, and respond. I’ve also learned how these experiences can show up not just in our thoughts, but in our bodies, whether that’s tension, stress, or emotional overwhelm, and how important it is to understand what we need in order to manage and move through them.
I believe that each person is the expert of their own story. My role is to support you in making sense of your experiences, recognizing patterns in how you relate to yourself and others, and developing tools that help you feel more confident in your voice, your boundaries, and your decisions. I also value the difference between empathy and sympathy. My goal is not to speak “at” your experiences, but to be present with you in them. I aim to create a space where you feel understood, supported, and able to explore your experiences in a way that feels meaningful and real.
A little about me
Outside of therapy, I enjoy listening to music, traveling, and finding small ways to slow down and recharge. I’m also a big matcha lover, and you’ll usually find me spending time with my chiweenie, who definitely keeps life interesting.
I’m a first-generation Latina, and that has deeply shaped how I understand identity, family, and responsibility. My parents came to this country in search of a better future, and I was the first in my family to graduate high school. Education was always emphasized as important, but I also experienced what it was like to navigate spaces and expectations that weren’t always clearly explained. I had to figure things out on my own, while also recognizing that my parents were doing the best they could with what they knew.
While this is part of my personal experience, I work with individuals from diverse backgrounds who are navigating similar or different challenges related to expectations, identity, and finding their own path.
Fun fact: I once hiked a volcano (Acatenango)—it was intense, but also one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had.
