Meet Dr. Sophia!

Positionality: 
I identify as a Latina/Chicana, Mestiza, cis-het woman. As a first generation Chicana born to immigrant parents from Mexico, I have been raised in a bilingual and bicultural home. Clients who work with me can speak English, Spanish, Spanglish, or mix of these in our sessions.

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My Background & Approach:

Hello! I am Dr. Sophia Aguirre and I am a psychologist,  a mother, a wife, a business owner, and a proud first-generation college & graduate student. I am a recovering over-achiever/perfectionist who understands the challenges to create balance and  maintain wellness as BIPOC professional.

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I created ACIP to provide outstanding, culturally-responsive, socially-conscious psychological services to all.  I have over a decade of experience of providing psychotherapy to individuals, couples, and groups with a wide-range of concerns and struggles, but a common focus in my clinical work is helping individuals establishing healthier, more authentic relationships with themselves and with others. I am most passionate about working with adults who hold marginalized identities (racial/ethnic, gender, sexual and relationship structure minorities) utilizing an intersectional, anti-racist, social-justice lens.

 

My goal as a psychotherapist is to create a safe, supportive, therapeutic environment that fosters my clients’ well-being, creativity, healing, and growth. In general, I would characterize my approach as genuine, warm, and analytical. My style is generally informal, direct, and transparent in hopes of demystifying the therapy process. I endeavor to create a trusting, non-judgmental atmosphere and to foster a therapeutic relationship that strikes the balance between support and challenge. I work collaboratively with my clients to help them reconnect with their inner strength and wisdom. I am an empathic listener, but I actively participate in sessions by sharing my observations, offering support, and providing insight and practical feedback to help clients effectively address personal life challenges. My clients often comment that my open, direct style creates a sense of safety because they don't have to guess what I am thinking or feeling. 

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Theoretical & Clinical Orientation:

Although I integrate various psychotherapeutic methods and theoretical orientations in my practice, I work primarily from theoretical perspectives that emphasize the authentic relationships, individual strengths, and the potential for growth. Specifically, I have been heavily influenced by interpersonal, psychodynamic, and existential-humanistic theories, as well as multicultural, feminist movements in psychology. Interpersonal, psychodynamic, attachment, and existential-humanistic theories direct my attention to my client’s current and past relational dynamics as I strongly believe that human beings are primarily motivated by the need to establish and maintain relationships.

 

My primary focus is on the here and now, but I explore my client’s past to provide insight on how early experiences and relationships continue to influence thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in the present. Achieving a deeper understanding of yourself will allow you to have more freedom and control over your life.  Liberation and Feminist psychology principles provide the foundation for exploring societal, cultural, and contextual factors and building resilience from an intersectional perspective. Clients who work with me can expect to focus on their emotion, which means we will seek to accept and deepen an understanding of reactions to various emotions as a means to working through the pain.

Licensure, Certifications, & Fellowships

• Licensed Psychologist: Georgia #PSY004298 & Oregon #1925

• Certified Group Psychotherapist (Certification #053456)

• Fellow, American Group Psychotherapy Association

• PSYPACT E. Passport (Mobility Certification #4928)​

 

Education & Training

• Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology, Auburn University, 2008

• ​B.S. in Psychology with Honors, The University of Georgia, 2000​

Clinical Specializations

Throughout my professional career, I have been committed to the pursuit of educational, training, and professional experiences that promote group psychotherapy and group psychology. In dedication to furthering my therapeutic skills, I attained the credential of Certified Group Psychotherapist (CGP) awarded by the International Board for Certification of Group Psychotherapists.  In 2020, I was elected a Fellow of the American Group Psychotherapy Association, an honor and distinction recognizing outstanding professional competence and leadership within field of group psychotherapy.

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Professional Service & Membership

I am actively involved in my professional community and am passionate about advocating for social justice issues within the field of psychology and group therapy at local, regional and national levels. I currently serve as the Chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force for the American Group Psychotherapy Association, and have previously served in a number of governance and leadership roles within the organization. 

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• Secretary, American Group Psychotherapy Association

• Co-Chair, Task Force for Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, American Group Psychotherapy Association

• Co-Chair, Sanando Latinx Mental Health Professionals 

• (Past) Chair, Ethnic Minority Affairs Committee, Georgia Psychological Association

• (Past) President, Lane County Psychological Association (2013 - 2014)

• (Past) Board Member, Oregon Psychological Organization (2011 - 2015)

• Member:  Georgia Psychological Association, Atlanta Group Psychotherapy Society,  American Group Psychotherapy Society, National Latinx Psychological Association, American Psychological Association