Trainer Biography
Dana Medoza
Dana Mendoza is a licensed clinical social worker who holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work from San Diego State University and a Master’s Degree in Intercultural Relations with a concentration in Conflict Management from Lesley University. She has studied negotiation, peacebuilding and conflict resolution in Santa Cruz, Bolivia through the International Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution program. She has worked at the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) since 2016 and has a passion for working with Veterans and their families. Dana Mendoza has completed a Death and Grief studies certification through the Center for Loss and Life Transition, held in Fort Collins, CO and Phoenix, AZ under Dr. Alan Wolfelt, who provided the 150 hours of training and supervision in bereavement care. Challenged to explore her own personal experiences with death and grief through Dr. Wolfelt’s “Companioning approach” to grief and loss, Dana has applied her training and experience to assist with the development of an on-going “Grief and Loss” support group offered to bereaved Veterans. Dana Mendoza, LCSW recently transitioned from a position in mental health, where her role was split between individual and group psychotherapy and case management. Upon her transition to a role as a case manager for medically discharged Veterans transitioning out of active duty and into the VHA, her request to continue as a facilitator for the grief and loss support group was approved, and as a result, she continues in that role as well.