Priscilla Mendez,
PsyD
Clinical Psychologist
Priscilla Mendez is a bilingual licensed clinical psychologist with experience working with ethnically diverse youth and families with histories of trauma and loss.
Prior to joining the Lucine Center, Priscilla worked at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) where she provided trauma-focused therapeutic services to youth of color living in the Los Angeles area. She is certified in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) and has received specialized training in implementing trauma informed interventions (i.e., Trauma- Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma and Grief Component Therapy) through individual, family, and group modalities. Priscilla has experience adapting evidence-based treatments for youth and families of diverse cultural backgrounds and languages. She is a strong advocate for her clients and has worked collaboratively with other professionals to provide psychoeducation, screenings, referrals, and interventions to families exposed to various forms of trauma and loss. Additionally, in her current role as Senior Clinical Implementation Specialist at the Trauma and Grief Center at The Hackett Center for Mental Health, Priscilla provides trainings with community organizations, schools, and academic medical centers on topics related to childhood trauma and bereavement, including a focus on youth who have immigrated from Spanish-speaking countries.
Priscilla’s passion and strong commitment to serving marginalized communities, particularly the Latinx community, stems from her own personal experiences as a daughter of Mexican immigrant parents. Throughout her career, Priscilla has sought out opportunities to develop her skills as a bicultural and bilingual psychologist. Most recently, she was involved in the development and implementation of a Spanish resilience-focused support group designed to address acculturation stressors among adolescents who recently immigrated to the U.S. Priscilla has also worked with the Latinx community in a variety of settings conducting program development, community outreach, and advocacy.
Priscilla obtained her B.A. in Psychology from Baylor University and her Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from Wheaton College. She completed her internship at USC’s University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities at CHLA with an emphasis on adolescents and young adults. Priscilla then completed specialized postdoctoral training in trauma psychology at CHLA.
Priscilla is originally from the Rio Grande Valley and currently lives in Houston, Texas with her dog Mia. In her spare time, Priscilla enjoys going on runs, spending time with loved ones, and exploring new hole-in-the-wall restaurants.