Dr. Yamilka Urquiza-Mendoza (she/her)
Doctor of Psychology (PsyD), California LMFT112227 and Florida TPMF275
About Myself
I was born and raised in Cuba in a very large family, where relationships were central and profoundly significant. Growing up, I experienced firsthand the essential need to feel secure and connected. Throughout my life, I have recognized the importance of understanding and empathy in fostering those vital connections. In my doctoral research, titled “Cuban-Born Adult Recollections Of Their Experiences As Young Caregivers Of Older Adults And Present-Day Attitudes Towards Caregiving,” I explored the cultural nuances of caregiving in Cuban families and how these early, developmentally appropriate caregiving roles shape adult attitudes and practices. This research deeply informs my empathetic and culturally-sensitive approach to therapy.
Education
I earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida, graduating Summa Cum Laude. I pursued my Master of Arts in Marriage & Family Therapy from Alliant International University-San Diego, accompanied by a certificate in Latin American Family Therapy. I completed my Doctor of Psychology degree at Alliant, where my doctoral research focused on the early, developmentally appropriate caregiving experiences of Cuban-born adults during their childhood and the impact of these experiences on their present-day attitudes and practices towards caregiving.
Training
I have advanced/specialized training in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for partners+, families, and individuals. I have specialized training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to help clients process distressing or traumatic events. I also have specialized training Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP). This last modality I utilize in my work with individuals.
Other Career Highlights
I am a Clinical Fellow and an approved Supervisor by the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy , offering supervision and mentorship to AAMFT Supervisor Candidates.
As a member of the Diversity Committee for the International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy , our mission is to transition from merely diversity awareness to an actively anti-racist and anti-bias approach. We aim to eliminate harm, exclusion, and marginalization, promoting fairness and inclusion in our training and model.
Immigration Evaluations
I provide immigration evaluations, which are specialized assessments designed to support individuals navigating the complex immigration process. These evaluations can be crucial for cases involving asylum, VAWA petitions, U-Visas, and hardship waivers.
Approach
My theoretical orientation draws from systems, humanistic-experiential, neurobiology, and attachment theory approaches to treatment. This means that your relationships and interactions with those around you play a significant role in therapy, even when they are not physically present. My doctoral research on “Cuban-Born Adult Recollections Of Their Experiences As Young Caregivers Of Older Adults And Present-Day Attitudes Towards Caregiving” provides a foundation for understanding how cultural contexts shape caregiving practices and relational dynamics. This cultural sensitivity allows me to collaborate with you, respecting your intrinsic ability to foster growth and healing through empathy-centered techniques.
My Commitment
With experience working with individuals, couples, and families facing a variety of life challenges, my commitment is to help you heal by dismantling the barriers of isolation. I provide a safe space for you to share your unique story and journey towards healing through empathy and connection. We are not meant to tackle life’s challenges alone.
I invite you to share your experiences with me, transforming your burdens into a shared journey towards lightness and well-being. My aim to nurture a sense of belonging and healing through culturally-sensitive, inclusive, and compassionate care.
Contact Information
You can reach out to me directly to schedule an appointment by calling or sending a text to (619) 786-0052. You can also reach out to me via email at [email protected].