Denisse Mendoza

Denisse Mendoza, MA, LMFT, LPCC, is a behavioral health leader and licensed psychotherapist with nearly two decades of experience serving children, youth, and families in community-based mental health settings. Currently serving as Chief Program Officer at Side by Side, she provides leadership in clinical practice, workforce development, and program innovation to advance behavioral health outcomes across the organization. Denisse is also a practicing clinician and private practice owner, specializing in trauma and court-involved therapy. A bilingual English-Spanish provider, she is recognized for co-founding the award-winning Raíces Unidas initiative, a culturally responsive program supporting Latinx immigrant youth and families, and for her leadership in expanding community mental health services throughout the North Bay

• Trauma
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Crisis

• Trauma
• Crisis

• Co-Chair, Sonoma County Mental Health Liaison Committee, (2025-Present)

• CSU Sacramento, BS in Criminal Justice, 2006
• University of San Francisco, MA, 2017

• Chief Program Officer, Side by Side (2026-Present)
• Director of Practice and Program Development, Side by Side (2024-2026)
• North Bay Regional Director, Side by Side (2021-2024)
• Program Manager, Side by Side (2019-2021)
• Clinician, Sonoma Life Solutions (2022-Present)

• Excellence in Innovation Award, 2022
• Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition 2022