Hello, I am Sarah!
I am a Doctoral Candidate in Counselor Education at the University of Central Florida. I am delighted to be on this journey of academic and professional development. I spent ten years working in the helping profession, before returning to school. I am a Nationally Certified Counselr (NCC; 1428881), Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC; MH11002) and Qualified Supervisor (QS) in the state of Florida. Now, I hope to grow as a Counselor Educator. Thank you for coming to visit my site. Please reach out to me if I can be of assistance.
Sarah L. Mendoza, M.A.,NCC, LMHC
Doctoral Candidate
PhD Counselor Education
College of Community Innovation & Education
University of Central Florida
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Phone:
321-503-5178
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Email:
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Address:
University of Central Florida
Community Counseling & Research Center
12494 University Blvd
Orlando, FL 32816
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EXPERIENCE
La Amistad Behavioral Health Services
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Director of Admissions
11/2012-5/2019
Sarah lead an admissions team which helped more than 9,000 patients enter residential, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient treatment during her years with La Amistad. La Amistad is a joint commission accredited hospital that specializes in mental health and substance abuse care.
Patient Care Advocate
2/2012-2/2013
Sarah was appointed by the CEO to serve as the Patient Care Advocate across all patient services at La Amistad for one year.
Intake Counselor
11/2011-11/2012
Prior to being promoted to the Admissions Director, Sarah served as an Intake Counselor for one year.
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Choices Counseling Center
Therapist
5/2010-11/2011
Sarah completed her License in Mental Health Counseling while serving as a therapist at Choices Counseling Center. Sarah provided individual and group counseling services to clients who were dual-diagnosed with mental health and substance use diagnoses.
Specialized Treatment Education and Prevention Services (STEPS)
Assistant Director of Women's Residential
1/2010-5/2010
Sarah briefly served as an assistant to the Director of Women's Residential at STEPS, which specializes in substance abuse treatment for women who are completing rehabilitation as part of their legal proceedings in Orange and Seminole County Florida.
EDUCATION
University of Central Florida
Doctorate of Philosophy
Counselor Education
8/2019-anticipated 2022
Sarah has returned to UCF to earn her PhD in Counselor Education and is proud to be a Knight for the third time. Sarah is a recipient of the McNair Doctoral Fellopship and Holmes Scholars Program. Sarah is a Graduate Assistant in the the Community Counseling and Research Center in the college of Community Innovation and Education.
University of Central Florida
Master's Degree
5/2006-8/2009
Sarah earned her Master's degree from UCF in Mental Health Counseling. Sarah was a recipient of the McNair Scholarship during her time as a Master's student and worked as a Graduate Assistant in the Florida Marriage and Family Research Institute
University of Central Florida
Bachelor's Degree
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8/2002-5/2006
Sarah earned her Bachelor's degree from UCF in Psychology, with a minor in Spanish Language. Sarah was a member of LEAD Scholars in her first two years of undergraduate studies and went on to be accepted as a McNair Scholar in her final two years. Sarah was a member of the Applied Cognition and Technology Lab in the Psychology Department.
Scholarly & Professional Associations
SKILLS
Mental Health Counseling with Severe Persistent Mental Illness
Substance Abuse Counseling for Teens and Adults
Microsoft Office - Proficient
Trauma Informed Care
Presentations and Education on Mental Health Care and the Treatment System in the State of Florida
Spanish - Advanced