Meet Our Founder Sandra Carlson, LMFT
I used to survive. Now I help others do more than that.
Let me be honest with you.
I didn’t come from a stable, quiet household where therapy was encouraged and feelings felt safe to talk about. I came from chaos. I grew up surrounded by gang activity, drugs, and the kind of survival mode that becomes so familiar you don’t even realize you’re living in it.
I didn’t build this foundation from a place of having it all figured out. I built it from lived experience; surrounded by instability, addiction, violence, and grief. The kind of pain people learn to carry quietly.
I know what it feels like to be the strong one while still hurting underneath. To love people through addiction while carrying the weight of helplessness, anger, heartbreak, and love that has nowhere to go. I know how those experiences change you. How they stay with you long after you think you’ve moved on.
I know what it feels like to live with trauma, anxiety, and loss so heavy that words can’t quite hold it. And I know what it feels like to fight for healing anyway.
Becoming a therapist was never just a career for me. It was personal.
I set out to become the person I wish had existed for me and for so many people I grew up around. Someone safe. Someone compassionate. Someone who truly understands what it takes to carry hard things and keep going.
Through my work as a trauma therapist using EMDR and Brainspotting, I’ve had the honor of walking alongside individuals and families through trauma, grief, addiction, anxiety, abuse, and some of life’s hardest transitions.
But somewhere along the way, I realized healing can’t stop at the therapy office door.
That’s why I created the Mindfully Balanced Foundation.
This foundation exists for the people who have never had support feel accessible, safe, or within reach. It exists to create real community care; advocacy, wellness resources, and trauma-informed support for individuals and families who deserve to feel seen, supported, and not judged.
Some days I show up polished. Other days it’s messy buns, deep breaths, and figuring it out one step at a time. Both are me. Both belong here.
What will never change is how deeply I care about this work, about this community, and about the people who are still learning they deserve healing too.
Because healing should feel human.
And no one should ever have to carry everything alone.
Meet the Hearts Behind Our Mission
Guided by compassion, empathy, and clinical expertise, our team is committed to creating a safe and supportive space where healing can begin. We are honored to walk alongside you on your journey toward emotional wellness, resilience, and a more balanced life.
Angela Golden, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
I’m Angela, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker dedicated to helping couples and individuals navigate trauma, anxiety, and transitions. I view therapy as a collaborative partnership where we work at your pace to foster lasting resilience and healing.
Steven Mendoza
Clinical Intern
Hello, I’m Steven Mendoza, a social work professional currently pursuing my Master of Social Work (MSW) at Walden University. I am passionate about supporting individuals, youth, veterans, and families as they navigate life’s challenges and work toward healing, resilience, and personal growth. My approach is rooted in empathy, active listening, collaboration, and creating a safe, nonjudgmental environment where clients feel heard and supported.
My background in behavioral health and social services has allowed me to work with diverse populations facing challenges such as trauma, substance use, emotional dysregulation, and life stressors. Through my work with nonprofit domestic violence agencies in the High Desert, I have gained experience supporting individuals and families through behavioral interventions, psychoeducational groups, safety planning, and connecting clients to community resources. I have also worked within inpatient and outpatient substance use treatment settings, where I utilized evidence-based approaches, including the Living in Balance curriculum, to support individuals in recovery and promote healthy coping skills, relapse prevention, and emotional wellness.
In addition to my behavioral health experience, my service in the U.S. Army strengthened my leadership, discipline, adaptability, and ability to remain calm under pressure. These experiences continue to shape my commitment to serving others with compassion, professionalism, and integrity. As a veteran myself, I have a strong passion for working with the veteran population and supporting individuals through the unique challenges that can come with military service and transition.
I also enjoy being actively involved in the community and believe meaningful change happens when people feel connected, supported, and empowered. I am especially passionate about helping youth, families, and veterans build resilience, strengthen communication, develop coping skills, and recognize their potential.
Reaching out for support can be one of the hardest steps to take, and I commend anyone willing to begin that journey. I look forward to continuing to grow in the helping profession and being a supportive part of the healing process for those I work with.
Mikayla Flora
Clinical Intern
Hello, my name is Mikayla Flora, and I am an MFT Trainee currently completing the MS Counseling Psychology program at California Baptist University. I am passionate about creating a compassionate, supportive, and approachable environment where clients feel safe to explore their experiences and challenges. I believe that every individual’s story is unique, and I strive to meet clients with empathy, understanding, and genuine care.
I am especially interested in working with couples, children, teens, and individuals seeking faith-based counseling, while remaining open to supporting clients from all walks of life. My experience working with teens, faith-based groups, and group settings has strengthened my passion for helping others build resilience, improve communication, and grow through life’s challenges. My goal is to walk alongside clients as they navigate healing, personal growth, and meaningful connection.