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“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.”
- Victor Frankl
Our team
Gina Mendez is a board certified, licensed clinical social worker offering services to adult residents in the state of California and Nevada. She earned both her Bachelor of Science in Human Services Counseling and Master of Social Work at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She works with her patients to ensure they take an active role in creating positive changes in their lives. By utilizing a strength based approach, Gina builds upon individual’s strengths and resiliency, helps clients find meaningfulness in their past and purpose in their journey moving forward.
Gina's experience reflects 30 years in social service settings for children, teens and families. Her career began with an interest in addiction counseling and was able to gain experience in her first role as a counselor with adolescent young men placed by county departments of family services and probation who’s behaviors were the result of trauma, abuse and neglect. Gina continued working with youth at Boys Town Emergency shelter and Clark County Family Services, Child Haven, and CPS where she experienced providing direct care to minors removed from homes due to abuse and neglect. After earning her masters in social work, she began gaining hours as an associate social worker to become a therapist at residential centers and school based settings for severely emotionally disturbed youth. Additionally, she continued to gain experience as a Clinical Therapist at Riverside County Behavioral Health working with adults who suffer from severe and persistent mental illness and co-occurring disorders.
Gina feels very fortunate to have acquired many years in different roles serving those impacted by traumatic events as she learned the connection between adverse childhood experiences and the development of mental health disorders in adolescence and adulthood.
Gina provides Grief counseling, and utilizes evidenced-based treatment modalities such as Narrative Therapy, and Somatic Therapies including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive behavioral and Dialectical behavioral therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Solution Focused Therapy to help teach the tools needed to find relief from suffering inflicted by traumatic events, and to help decrease the symptoms of anxiety disorders that impede with the goals of the client.
Rachel is a Professional level Mindfulness Teacher certified through the International Mindfulness Teachers Association, certified End of Life Doula, Level 2 Reiki Practitioner, Meditation Guide, and certified Yoga Nidra (yogic sleep) Guide.
Through experience both professionally and personally, Rachel has witnessed the impact that adverse events and untreated mental health difficulties has on one’s mind and body. Having been in the beauty industry for 20 years Rachel experienced being in an environment that often times thrives off of insecurities, which almost inevitably leads to emotional unrest. Being there to listen to people’s life stories and support them through distressing experiences and loss, she realized that most people don’t know, and are not taught the importance of self value or self love. Through her own journey in healing from both adolescent and adulthood experiences Rachel believes that mental health and wellbeing is the core of physical wellness. Witnessing that most go through life with stored emotional trauma that can eventually turn in to mental and/or physical ailments, Rachel feels passionate about being an encouraging part of the process for those looking to heal and improve the way their mind and body reacts to all levels of stress.
Rachel has studied behavioral development, methods of emotional healing, breath work, meditation, mindfulness, sound healing, and methods of energy movement through the body. To continue her education in evidence-based studies with mindfulness, Rachel is a student in the Intensive Practice Program through UCLA’s Mindful Awareness Research Center.
Rachel offers active listening and comfort in connection while her client practices forms of self care through mindfulness, meditation, Reiki, breath work, and sound baths; all of which have been proven to improve emotional and physical well-being on a cellular level. Creating a setting for people to feel authentic and peaceful is paramount to practicing mindfulness and steps forward to mental and spiritual well-being. Rachel focuses on being of service to her community by offering evidenced-based techniques that repair a disregulated nervous system; bringing inner peace, acceptance, and connection to one’s emotions, mind, and body.
Gina Mendez, MSW, LCSW
Rachel Wittenberg
Reiki & Mindfulness Practitioner, End-of-Life Doula, Certified Meditation Guide
Tonya Thone
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
Neurofeedback & Biofeedback Practitioner
Tonya is a licensed professional clinical counselor based in California, specializing in the care of children, teens, and young adults. Her academic foundation includes a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Master of Science in Counseling with a focus on School Psychology from California State University, Northridge.
Her professional journey began at a community mental health center in Los Angeles, emphasizing the support of marginalized communities. Here, she gained valuable experience that contributed towards her license. Simultaneously, she exercised her school psychologist credential by assessing students for special education services and offering counseling within a vast school district.
Tonya’s passion for human development, especially in the domains of child and adolescent growth, predates her tenure in behavioral health. She observed that students with learning disabilities frequently faced accompanying mental health issues such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Anxiety, and Depression. Yet, these significant concerns often received minimal attention in school settings. Recognizing this gap, Tonya established her private practice, catering specifically to children, teens, young adults, and their families.
Currently, Tonya employs evidence-based techniques including Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and select Dialectical Behavior Therapy approaches. She is also expanding her skill set by training in Neurofeedback and Biofeedback therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, and Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), anticipating the incorporation of these into her practice soon.
Kristi Miedecke
Associate Marriage & Family Therapist
Kristi is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT) currently working towards her licensure as an MFT under the supervision of Gina Mendez, LCSW. She earned a BA in Psychology from Ottawa University in 2011 and an MS in MFCT from Capella University in 2022.
Before transitioning into therapy, Kristi served as a police officer for the City of San Diego from 2011 to 2016, where she was involved with the FTO (Field Training Officer) and PERT (Psychiatric Emergency Response Team). Her unique experiences as a former police officer and her personal ties to law enforcement, being both the wife and daughter of law enforcement officers, provide her with a profound understanding of the challenges faced by first responders and their families.
Kristi specializes in working with veterans, athletes, and families. She competes in Jiu Jitsu, holds a purple belt with the Carlson Gracie Team, and is trained in EMDR performance enhancement, helping others to achieve their peak performance.
Outside of her professional life, Kristi has a deep love for horses and enjoys spending quality time with her family, friends, and her cherished horse, Patronus. Married for 10 years, she is the mother of two children, aged 6 and 9.
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Each practitioner is a sole licensed and insured entity and is not contracted or employed by Mindfully Well. Mindfully Well is a safe space offered for professionals to conduct business with clients and has no influence on services offered, scheduling, or payment methods.