ISABELA MENDES

Graduate Social Work Intern

Who Am I?

Hello! I’m Isabela Mendes (She/Her) and I am currently a Master of Social Work student specializing in clinical practice. I am a lifelong Virginian; I grew up in northern Virginia, earned my bachelor's in Human Development from Virginia Tech, and now am completing my master's at VCU! I enjoy working with individuals and families who want to better understand themselves and their relationships. I approach therapy from an attachment and systems-informed perspective, recognizing that our individual mental health is deeply tied to broader social contexts. I have a particular interest in women's health, including perinatal concerns, sexual health, and gender-based violence.

I love working with:

Individuals struggling with relationship patterns and attachment
People navigating chronic pain and illness
Women facing sexual health and intimacy concerns
Those navigating the impact of traumatic experiences

Some of my favorite approaches include:

My approach is collaborative, relational, and rooted in empowerment. I draw from Psychodynamic Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), as well as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). I strive to help clients explore patterns in their lives through a trauma-informed lens while building self-awareness and reclaiming personal agency.