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Meet Our Team Sharon Yu Sabrina Bolin Gabriella Elise Giorgio Janelle Malak Marina Mendes
 
 
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Meet Marina Mendes

I am a creative and intuitive human passionate about honoring the expansiveness of the human experience. I view therapy as a sacred space for self-compassion and self-discovery.

As a mixed-race Asian American queer woman, introvert, and Highly Sensitive Person, my healing work is shaped by a deep understanding of what it means to feel "othered." I support individuals who feel misunderstood, embrace multifaceted identities, and value multicultural awareness.

Rooted in the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model, my approach integrates mindfulness and somatic practices to help you reconnect with your authentic Self — a space where play, purpose, and agency thrive. In our work together, all parts of you are welcome, witnessed, and accepted.

I am an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (#15511) supervised by Sharon Yu, LMFT (#50028). 

I have lived across the United States—from New York City to the Central California Coast to the Rocky Mountains—and spent extended periods living overseas in China, France, and New Zealand. My approach borrows from my background as a trained IFS practitioner, somatic coach, yoga instructor, and nature therapy guide. I believe everyone embodies an inner universe and a connection to universal consciousness. My clients hold the answers they seek, and my role is to help them reawaken their Inner Guide and its wisdom. It is an honor to get to know you and your corner of the universe.

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My clients are transitioning from different life stages. As recovering perfectionists and people-pleasers, they desire restorative rest as they explore their multi-layered identities.

 
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My clients share that they want to:

  • Have more connected and fulfilling relationships with themselves and others

  • Learn to regulate their emotions to show up more lovingly in their relationships

  • Feel more trusting of their intuition as they move through a life transition

I work best with individuals who feel something stirring within them – a yearning to feel more connected to their souls. Whether a change is on the horizon or they are experiencing heartbreak, the ground underneath feels shaky and overwhelming. In the midst of loss and feeling misunderstood, they seek extra support while they find their footing again. They hope to step forward with more confidence and trust in their path.

I help my clients work with existing and sometimes silent and chronic grief from a place of alignment and empowerment so they can live the life they desire.

My clients may have a loved one struggling with mental illness, may be experiencing a decoupling from a long-term partnership, or may be embarking on a journey to move cities or transition careers. They may also feel curious to explore their patterns and shadows more intimately. Regardless of the circumstance, they are ready to invest in a more profound, honest, and loving relationship with themselves to hold close as they ride the waves of life.

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To heal is to make whole, and to be whole is to be in connection with all parts. Therapy with me is a gentle, compassionate, collaborative, and non-pathologizing journey inward toward your unique wholeness. In our work together, we will:

  • Explore and bring alienated parts of yourself into belonging so they no longer contribute to maladaptive relational patterns

  • Grow your capacity to be with the range of your human experience with patience and grace

  • Connect with your intuition to feel confident in making clear, aligned decisions

Special welcome to individuals of mixed-Asian background, those with family members living with chronic mental health conditions such as schizophrenia and Bipolar 1, and sensitive creatives who feel a spiritual connection with the natural world.

Post graduate degree in clinical social work: New York University,  Master of Arts in Applied Psychology and Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness

Specialized training(s): Internal Family Systems (Parts work/IFS) Level 1 (IFS Institute) – In Progress

Certification: Certified Nature Therapy Guide (Association of Nature & Forest Therapy), Certified Somatic Coach (Body Based Breakthrough), Registered Yoga Teacher (Yoga Alliance)