Who We Are

I have been a therapist for almost a decade. I grew up in these mountains, and found myself in them too. I strongly identify in the autism, queer, and chronic illness communities. I believe that the world wasn’t created for folks like me, so I found others and created a space that felt safe and healing. I am not everyone’s “cup of tea”, and I am finally okay with that.

I believe in accessible community mental health. As a therapist, I tend to work with folks like me who are neurodivergent in multiple ways and are figuring out how to be a human, partner, friend, and community member. I also work with loved ones who seek to understand us.

In my spare time you can catch me collecting tiny objects, going to Sylva Belles Drag Shows, reading queer sci fi novels, and taking naps with my Saint Bernard named Walt.

May we all have a space to be vulnerable, seen, heard, and affirmed.

I am a recent graduate of WCU's Integrated Health Sciences program with a concentration in Health and Wellness. My goal is to move onto a Masters in Public Health, as it is my wholehearted belief that a person's health and strength is a direct result of the health of their community. Every person deserves a safe place to live, work, learn, and play, and I have found such a space at Cornbread and Roses. By working as the new Food Pantry Director, I am super excited to uphold the belief that "all are deserving of bread, but roses too"!

Outside of work, I love to read, hang out with my cats (Katy Perry and Tom Petty), crochet, go hiking or tubing, watch trashy reality TV, and chat with my friends. I live with my partner in Cullowhee and other activities we love doing together include mushroom hunting, playing games, and bug taxidermy!

It’s my strongly held belief that every person is inherently worthy of feeling seen, listened to, and understood – especially LGBTQ+ youth, and especially right now. I’m a 2023 graduate of the Master of Social Work program at Western Carolina University, where I carved a path for myself specializing in offering therapeutic mental health support to LGBTQ+-identified and neurodivergent children and adolescents. As a neurodivergent, queer-identified person born and raised in the rural south, I have a personal understanding of many of the challenges and barriers faced by queer, transgender, and gender expansive individuals in WNC. I am also aware of the resiliency that exists within this population.

I approach sessions through a trauma-informed, strengths-based, person-centered lens. It’s my goal to offer an affirming space where clients feel safe showing up with vulnerability and authenticity to:

• explore aspects of identity, specifically gender identity and sexuality.

• navigate life transitions

• better understand and work with neurodivergence, specifically autism and ADHD. 

• address challenges with mental and behavioral health

• build coping skills for dealing with experiences of systemic oppression

Each of my clients is the expert of their own experiences, with a complex set of needs that are unique to them. Those unique needs will always be prioritized over any one therapeutic approach. I believe deeply in the healing power of creativity & play, so I also offer options like puzzles, art supplies, coloring books, fidget toys, and games during sessions for anyone who may struggle with or prefer an alternative to just talking.

In addition to my role as a therapist, I’m passionate about building bridges and connection through a shared understanding of our commonalities. I offer multidisciplinary community education courses and trainings geared toward bolstering support and allyship across identities. Within the next year, I will also begin offering clinical education courses on topics such as working with LGBTQ+, neurodiverse, and other minority clients for licensed social workers to earn CE credits. 

In my spare time, you can probably find me world building for the fantasy novel I hope to write, spending time outdoors with my pup, or convincing my wife to watch all my favorite animes.

As a seasoned wellness professional, with nearly 12 years as a licensed massage therapist, I am thrilled to step into my new role as a clinical therapist intern. My journey through personal healing and therapy has deepened my appreciation for the intersection of body and mind. I am particularly passionate about integrating attachment theory, polyvagal theory, somatic practices, and embodiment into my therapeutic approach. My background has equipped me with a nuanced understanding of how these frameworks support emotional and psychological healing. As I work towards my Master of Social Work, I am eager to use this knowledge to offer holistic, empathetic care and help clients build resilience and connection through a comprehensive, body-aware lens.

When I'm not working I love connecting with nature. You'll often find me hiking, lost in a good book, spending some time in the water, or roller skating. After 10 years of roller derby, skating is still a very special happy place for me.

Paulina Mendez (she/her/ella) is a Queer Mexican immigrant who grew up in the South East, including the Deep South, and now calls the mountains of North Carolina home. Fluent in English and Spanish, Paulina navigates and revels in the delicate balance between life's breathtaking beauty and its challenges. While recognizing that the world can sometimes feel like a dumpster fire, she believes in embracing the sweetness that life offers.

As the owner and therapist at Alegría Counseling—where "alegría" means joy in Spanish—Paulina sees joy as an act of resistance, and she is excited to join and be in community with Cornbread and Roses. She holds a bachelor's degree in political science and a master's degree in social work, bringing over a decade of experience in equity and inclusion within non-profit and local government sectors. As a Licensed Clinical Social Work Associate (LCSWA) and Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist Associate (LCASA), Paulina deeply understands how mental health intersects with equity, inclusion, and our identities.

She believes in deconstructing societal norms to create spaces for holistic healing and empowerment, envisioning a future where healthcare is equitable and inclusive for all. She knows her liberation is bound with yours, and she invites you to join her in the journey toward freedom.

--

Paulina Mendez (ella/she/her) es una inmigrante mexicana Queer que creció en el Sureste de los Estados Unidos, incluyendo el profundo Sur, y ahora considera las montañas de Carolina del Norte su hogar. Paulina es fluida en inglés y español, y navega y se deleita en el delicado equilibrio entre la impresionante belleza de la vida y sus desafíos. Aunque reconoce que el mundo a veces puede parecer un desastre, cree en abrazar la dulzura que la vida ofrece.

Como propietaria y terapeuta de Alegría Counseling—donde "alegría" significa joy en español—Paulina ve la alegría como un acto de resistencia y está emocionada de unirse y estar en comunidad con Cornbread and Roses. Tiene una licenciatura en ciencias políticas y una maestría en trabajo social, aportando más de una década de experiencia en equidad e inclusión dentro del sector sin fines de lucro y en el gobierno local. Como Asociada Licenciada en Trabajo Social Clínico (LCSWA) y Asociada Licenciada en Especialista en Adicciones Clínicas (LCASA), Paulina comprende profundamente cómo la salud mental se entrelaza con la equidad, la inclusión y nuestras identidades.

Cree en deconstruir las normas sociales para crear espacios para la sanación y el empoderamiento holístico, imaginando un futuro donde la atención médica sea equitativa e inclusiva para todos. Sabe que su liberación está ligada a la tuya, y te invita a unirte a ella en el camino hacia la libertad.

Hi, I’m TJ Amos.  I am a person with much lived experience, and enjoy being able to support others who are going through a variety of experiences. I love working with children and families to support working through challenges as they arise. I also enjoy working with adults experiencing various transitions in life.

My modality of therapy is Existential and Modern Psychoanalysis.  We will look at issues with which you currently struggle and look at possible connections to the past which created patterns of responses.  I utilize talk and play therapy, and use the sand tray with both children and adults.

Successful in-depth therapy depends on the growth and development of a collaborative relationship with your therapist, which supports you becoming aware of the formative aspects of your life not only intellectually but emotionally. We make significant progress in therapy when given the opportunity to talk openly in an atmosphere of inquisitiveness, freedom, caring, and acceptance. When we speak honestly, addressing our life histories and looking with courage at our life dilemmas - we improve our chances of living a satisfying and fulfilling life.

All work is done at your pace, and the level to which you are comfortable.  I will encourage you to move out of your comfort zone in order to grow, but always with respect and thoughtfulness.

In addition to my practice, I participate in various ways to support people in various marginalized groups, including serving on the Board of Directors of an organization which provides walks to educate the community about issues related to poverty.  I also continue to pursue learning about peoples with whom I am not as familiar, hoping to continue building equity in our community.

Casey is a dedicated MSW intern with a heart for helping people through life’s tough moments.She has a passion for offering compassionate and effective therapy, walking alongside individuals through difficult situations and helping them navigate life’s challenges. Casey is committed to helping clients identify and break down the barriers that stand in their way, offering support and guidance so they can find their way forward to achieve personal growth and healing. Her background in school-based services gives her a unique perspective on the needs of adolescents and families, enhancing her ability to provide holistic care. With a deep understanding that life can be challenging and lonely, she strives to create a safe and nurturing space where clients feel heard and supported.