Online in Colorado, Massachusetts
(Online Only)
I didn’t become a therapist to sit quietly and nod. I believe therapy should be a place where you can show up honestly and do meaningful work, not perform or filter yourself.
My perspective was shaped by years working closely with people navigating difficult and high-stakes situations. That experience taught me that people’s reactions, patterns, and defenses make sense when you understand what they’ve been through.
I value authenticity, honesty, and being fully present in my work. I show up as a real person, and you can expect directness, respect, and genuine engagement.
I also place a high value on continuing to learn and deepen my understanding of trauma and human behavior. This commitment helps me better understand my clients and support meaningful, lasting change.
Client Focus
Session Format: Individual sessions.
Age Specialty: Adult, Senior
Languages: English
Treatment Approach
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) One of the most widely used approaches, CBT helps people identify unhelpful thoughts and replace them with healthier patterns. It is effective for anxiety, depression, and many other concerns.
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) A structured therapy that uses guided eye movements to help process traumatic memories. It is widely recognized for treating PTSD and trauma-related conditions.
- Feminist Therapy Addresses how gender roles, power, and social inequality affect mental health. It empowers clients to challenge limiting beliefs and systems.
- Person-Centered Therapy (Rogerian) Emphasizes empathy, unconditional positive regard, and authenticity. It provides a safe space for self-discovery and growth.
- Psychodynamic Therapy Explores unconscious thoughts and patterns that influence current behavior. It builds insight into how the past impacts the present.
Approach Description: My approach focuses on helping you work through experiences that continue to affect you long after they’re over.
I primarily use EMDR, which helps the brain fully process experiences that haven’t resolved. This allows those experiences to stop showing up in the same emotional and physiological ways.
I don’t approach therapy as a passive process. My role is to help you work through what is underneath the patterns you’re experiencing so they no longer have the same hold on you.
Fees & Insurance
Fees
- Average Session Fee 160
- Accepts Insurance
- UnitedHealthcare; Optum; Aetna; Point32Health (Formerly Harvard Pilgrim)
Education & Credentials
Vida Mendez LCSW, LICSW, EMDR II
- Female
- License # CO CSW.09926645; MA 125787
- Licensed in Colorado, Massachusetts
- Practicing Since 2018
Education: I graduated with my master's in Social Work from Colorado State University in 2012. I have over 17 years of experience in the mental health field and have practiced psychotherapy for 8 years.
I have completed my advanced EMDR Certification through EMDRIA (EMDR International Association).
Vida Mendez Practice Details
Therapy Sessions
- Available Online for residents of Colorado, Massachusetts
- Online Therapy Details: All sessions are offered through secure video chat. I use a HIPAA compliant program called Simple Practice.
On the surface, you’re functioning. People rely on you. You handle what needs to be handled. Most people would never guess that anything is wrong. But underneath, things don’t feel resolved. You may overthink conversations, react more strongly than you want to, shut down, or feel emotions that don’t fully make sense. You’ve likely learned how to push through it and keep going, but it hasn’t actually gone away.
My practice focuses on working with adults who are dealing with trauma, anxiety, depression, and difficult life experiences. Many of my clients are capable, high-functioning people whose lives look stable on the outside but who continue to experience emotional reactions, overthinking, shutdown, or patterns that don’t fully make sense.