Mercedes M. Ledesma, LCSW

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Mercedes M. Ledesma, LCSW is a bilingual (English | Spanish) Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified Trauma Therapist, Certified Immigration Psychological Evaluation Provider, and Florida Supreme Court Certified Family and County Mediator. Her clinical practice focuses on trauma, anxiety, and significant life transitions, with a particular interest in somatic approaches to healing and self-awareness.

Mercedes' approach integrates trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and somatic principles to help individuals understand the connection between their experiences, emotions, nervous system, and body. Rather than focusing only on symptoms, she helps clients develop greater awareness of their internal experiences, recognize patterns, and reconnect with themselves so they can respond to life with greater intention and make choices that feel more aligned with who they are.

Mercedes conducts comprehensive immigration psychological evaluations for:

• Asylum 
• VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) 
• U Visa 
• T Visa 
• Extreme Hardship Waivers (I-601/I-601A) 
• Cancellation of Removal 

She partners with immigration attorneys throughout Florida and Pennsylvania, providing evidence-based, culturally responsive evaluations that help document the psychological impact of trauma, persecution, family separation, and other circumstances relevant to humanitarian immigration cases.

Mercedes is also a clinical educator, trainer, and speaker. She provides professional trainings on trauma-informed care, cultural humility, Latino mental health, TF-CBT, and best practices for serving immigrant communities. She has presented for organizations including the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), National Latino Behavioral Health Association (NLBHA), Thomas Jefferson University, and other professional organizations.

Mercedes is committed to providing compassionate, evidence-based, and culturally responsive care while helping individuals move beyond survival mode, strengthen self-awareness, reconnect with themselves, and build a life that feels more intentional and aligned.

Education

• Master of Social Work (MSW), Summa Cum Laude
  Temple University College of Public Health
• Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Cum Laude, Economics & Political Science
  Temple University

Licenses & Certificates:

• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) – Florida 
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) – Pennsylvania 
• Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator 
• Florida Supreme Court Certified County Mediator 
• Certified Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) Provider 
• Certified Immigration Psychological Evaluation Provider 
• Advanced Forensic Training – Physicians for Human Rights 
• Member, Physicians for Human Rights Pro Bono Asylum Network