Melissa E. Mendoza, LMSW

Life certainly isn’t easy. Every one of us—no matter who we are—needs help at one time or another. Whether we are faced with an unexpected tragedy, terrible unforeseen circumstances, trouble coping with the stresses of daily life, struggling with over or under eating, grief following the death of someone you love, trauma after an abortion, or handling a tumultuous love or family relationship, the truth is, we’ve all been there. Why? Because we are all human. You deserve to be happy and your healing is our first step.

I have undergone so many personal obstacles, it was precisely my own tough personal experiences that became the motivation and driving force behind my desire to earn the credentials necessary to help others achieve victory and transform their lives. Upon graduating from Wayne State University with a master's degree in Social Work (L.M.S.W) and a Graduate Certificate in Social Work Practice with Families and Couples, I was ready to work with my clients, as we embarked upon a journey of healing and life-altering transformation. It was always important to me that my clients feel at ease from the very first session, so I hold the therapeutic alliance with clients in a consistent positive regard.

Life is worth living. I specialize in treating females/women. Whether struggling with daily stress, mental anguish, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance abuse, chronic pain, emotional/behavioral issues, or with restoring or creating lasting relationships, family discord, a child who is acting out, or anything in between, there’s an answer for you. I implement an individualized and humanistic eclectic treatment approach, choosing from a wide array of evidence-based techniques tailored and customized to address the specific needs of each person.

We may utilize treatment approaches such as:

• Person-Centered Planning
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
• Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Art Therapy
• Positive Psychology
• Christian Counseling
• Motivational Interviewing

Just as there are no two fingerprints alike, I also believe that no two clients are alike, and you deserve personalized attention, comfort, and kind-heartedness. Life isn’t easy, but life is worth living. Happiness starts with healing. Let’s begin.

James F Zender, PhD

Prior to private practice, he worked as a clinical psychologist at Providence Hospital and Ypsilanti Regional Psychiatric Hospital. He was the founding director of the Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Psychological Trauma at Detroit Receiving Hospital and University Health Center—one of the premier trauma hospitals worldwide— where he also served as Instructor in Psychiatry.

Dr. Zender is determined to improve the relationships among insurance companies, providers and the injured insured to create optimal outcomes for all parties. Knowing that proactive, appropriate insurance coverage for accident survivors actually benefits the bottom line and market growth of companies, he is determined to help them navigate the world of trauma treatment more effectively. This will also help trauma survivors—and especially auto accident survivors—get the resources they need to recover from their trauma and lead fulfilling lives. In addition, he works in the area of accident prevention through helping drivers change their high risk driving behaviors.

Dr. Zender has been brought in to evaluate, consult and train following some of the world’s major traumatic events. While much of his community and disaster work is confidential, the list includes:

Terrorist acts, such as bombings

Industrial plant and community explosions

Law enforcement critical events

Airline crashes

Civil war and mass refugee scenarios

Political asylum processes from more than a dozen countries in South America, Africa, Asia and Central America

Accolades

• Contributing Editor, The Forensic Examiner, Journal of the American College of Forensic Examiners. (1997)
• Ohio State University
• Member, Phi Eta Sigma (1973)
• Summa Award (1973)
• Who’s Who in America, Behavioral Sciences (1991)
• Outstanding Scientists of the 21st Century, 1st Edition
• Outstanding Intellectuals of the 21st Century, 1st Edition
• Founding Director, the Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Psychological Trauma at Detroit Receiving Hospital
• Member, American Psychological Association
• Member, International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies
• Member and Life Fellow, American College of Forensic Examiners
• Member, Michigan Psychological Association
• Member, Brain Injury Association of Michigan
• Member, National Safety Council
• America’s Best Doctors, Who’s Who Top Doctors Honors Edition (2017)
• Volunteer Speaker for EndDD