Hidden Gems: Meet Sophia Rodriguez of HeartFelt Mind Therapy

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sophia Rodriguez.

Hi Sophia, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
As a Cuban American and child of an immigrant, it was instilled in me from a young age to work hard for my dreams and to take risks. Starting my own therapy practice felt like just that. I have a passion for connecting with people and being a part of their healing journey, so becoming a licensed therapist was a natural dream of mine. I attended Pepperdine University for graduate school and received a M.A. in Clinical Psychology, and I worked in community mental health as well as a group practice setting before deciding to start my own practice. It’s been an incredibly positive experience, and I am so thankful every day for taking a chance on myself.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s been smoother than I expected, though being a business owner requires a skill set that I didn’t naturally have as a therapist, so it was a huge learning curve. I’m still learning every day. The thing I always come back to is that there are people who I can lean on whenever I feel stuck. I’m thankful to colleagues and family that I can consult with and learn from. I sought out advice from entrepreneurs and other practice owners who I trust to support me in navigating more intimidating tasks. Recently, I hired someone to help me with marketing, and I work with a CPA & bookkeeper to support me with taxes, which are examples of how I’m learning to ask for support when needed.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
HeartFelt Mind Therapy is a psychotherapy boutique located in Santa Monica, California, offering services to individuals and couples. All sessions are offered in person or virtually and in English or Spanish.

As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I specialize in anxiety, trauma, and relationship issues. I’m bilingual and enthusiastically work with diverse populations. I’m trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples, which I use to support couples in deepening intimacy and emotional closeness, understanding their attachment needs, and understanding what negative cycle they’re finding themselves in. I regularly work with couples who would like to improve communication, build trust, recover from a betrayal/rupture, and improve conflict resolution.

I’m trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) which is an evidence-based model that is incredibly effective in treating PTSD and complex trauma. My definition of trauma is fairly broad: anything that happened in your past that is negatively shaping your present. This allows room for processing any experiences that might be showing up in the present day, such as disproportionate reactions in certain situations, anxiety, depression, or difficulty in relationships.

I prioritize the nervous system in my practice, and I’m well-versed in breathwork, mindfulness practices, and meditation. I’m a yoga instructor (YTT 200 hour), so I incorporate my knowledge of the mind-body connection into my therapy practice.

My practice name, HeartFelt Mind Therapy, called to me because it captures a very prominent theme I see in my practice; often, what people feel is different than what they know. I work with individuals & couples to integrate what they believe and how they feel, what they know logically with what they experience emotionally. It’s a trauma-informed and holistic approach to treatment.

What matters most to you? Why?
What matters most to me is the relationship I build with my clients, and it’s ultimately what brought me to this field in the first place. I believe the most powerful intervention in the therapy space is the therapeutic relationship, so I prioritize creating a welcoming environment where people feel safe to show up authentically and vulnerably.

Pricing:

• 200 for individuals (50 minute)
• 250 for couples (50 minute)
• I offer sliding scale, subsidized rates and support clients with insurance reimbursement so that I can remain accessible

Contact Info:

• Website: Heartfeltmindtherapy.com
• Instagram: Heartfeltmindtherapy