Mercedes M. Ledesma, LCSW

Hi I am Mercedes, I am a momma, animal lover and  people-person. I was born and raised in the Dominican Republic. At 17, after the heartbreaking loss of my mother, I moved to Philadelphia with my father in search of healing and a new beginning. That personal journey through grief and resilience has deeply shaped who I am and ignited my passion for supporting others through their own healing. 

I earned my Master’s in Social Work from Temple University’s College of Public Health in 2019. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of working in a variety of mental health settings—from community-based care to inpatient and outpatient programs—always with a focus on trauma-informed, culturally responsive care.

I specialize in complex trauma treatment  with trauma survivors and  psychological evaluations for immigration cases, this work is close to my heart because as an immigrant myself I have experienced firsthand the challenges we face adjusting and adapting to a new culture; my passion is working closely with individuals and families as they navigate incredibly complex and emotional processes. I'm certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and have extensive experience supporting children, youth, and families affected by complex trauma.

Beyond my clinical work, I’m passionate about advancing cultural competency in mental health. I lead trainings on working with Latinx populations and implementing TF-CBT with Spanish-speaking clients. I’ve shared this work through presentations at institutions such as Jefferson University, the National Association of Social Workers, and the National Latino Behavioral Health Association.

My work is deeply rooted in a commitment to empowerment, and community healing. I believe in the power of therapy to restore, reconnect, and help people reclaim their stories—and I feel honored to walk alongside you on your journey.