Elisia Lopez-Mendiola (she/her)

HealingTides_Elisia

Elisia Lopez-Mendiola (she/her)

As a multi-cultural woman of color, I understand the depth of our roots, our DNA, and what we as the seventh generation carry forward. We are who we’ve been waiting for, and we are right on time. I believe in our ancestors and their power to walk with us, to guide us, and empower us. I deeply believe that each of us carry within us the light and the capacity to heal, to grow, and to remove cycles from our lives. I invite and welcome you into this space to heal the child within and find your power to RISE again.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who provides trauma-informed, human/person-centered, and culturally appropriate care in every interaction I have, both personally and professionally. I have professional and life experience with a wide spectrum of human challenges such as trauma, mood disorders, anxiety, social injustice, and addictions. I currently work full time with my community members/siblings who live with severe and persistent mental illness and other disorders, who also struggle with the underlying feelings of shame, guilt, fear, and other barriers in life just like the rest of us. After earning my BSW at Concordia University, I pursued my master’s in social work from Portland State University.

I bring a unique perspective because I have the lived experience in all that I specialize in. I also serve as clinical supervisor to a wonderful group of individuals who are working with a wide variety of youth who face challenges such as homelessness, LGBTQI+ life transitions, grief, survivorship of human trafficking, domestic violence, and systemic oppression. Lastly, I serve as a mentor for those who are trying to rebuild their lives after trauma to empower those who want to take their power back. I am deeply passionate about educating the next generation of BIPOC and queer identified humans in every aspect of our world that I may have lived through, or where my ancestors have taken me, as well as my specific field of study to empower and allow us all to be as free as we choose to be. I believe in inclusion, integrity, and unity of all living beings.

In my free time, you can find me walking any beach shore collecting the gems of the ocean and the trash that is often left behind. If not there, you can also find me mentoring my survivor siblings, or loving on my many grandchildren who bring me joy and pride.

Areas of specialty include: Trauma and PTSD, Anxiety, Addictions, Anger management, Coping skills, Bipolar disorder, Grief, Domestic abuse and violence, Dual diagnosis, Life coaching, Life transitions, Peer Relations, Self-esteem, Sexual abuse and addictions, Stress, Supervision, Women’s Issues.

Mental health: Impulse Control Disorders, Dissociative Disorders, Mood Disorders, Personality Disorders, Psychosis Disorders, and Thinking Disorders.

Types of therapy: ACT, Attachment-based, clinical supervision, coaching, CBT, DBT, Emotionally Focused, Existential, Feminist, Humanistic, Multicultural, Narrative, Person Centered, Motivational Interviewing, Solution Focused Brief Therapy, and Trauma Focused. I work with adults 18+.

"I started therapy to address my PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Elisia has really helped me feel empowered to heal and truly be a survivor of my trauma. Elisia’s energy was a safe space for me, where I did not feel judged or ashamed of my thoughts and feelings, and trust me, I had a lot of shame. She has walked me through techniques to ground myself when I am feeling out of control and taught me to reframe my experiences. Elisia made me feel heard, valued, and loved in my darkest days. She truly cares about her clients and supporting us through our journey of healing."