Meet John Sovec

Today we’d like to introduce you to John Sovec.

Thanks for sharing your story with us John. So, let’s start at the beginning, and we can move on from there.
I remember growing up as a gay kid in Los Angeles always feeling a little out of synch with my mostly straight friends. Although I had lots of support and love from my friends, I never felt completely comfortable and often wished I had someone who understood me and could help me make sense of all of these tumultuous feelings I was having. Many years and many life paths later, I became a therapist who works with the LGBTQ community especially LGBTQ adolescents and their families during the coming out process.

My desire to become a therapist was the culmination of myriad life experiences that were often focused on how we as individuals can connect and make change happen. I volunteered for many years to support those living with HIV/AIDS because I was witnessing my community being decimated by this ravaging disease and wanted to be there to support people through this process. I also became a yoga teacher working with people to understand and appreciate the miraculous bodies they have. This led to a deep dive into mindfulness practices that influence me on a daily basis.

While doing this volunteer work, I asked my therapist the random question, “Do you think I should become a therapist”? Her answer was “It’s about time you figured that out.” That’s when I went back to school and began the journey to becoming a therapist. I still volunteer in the HIV community and teach yoga, but now, I have additional training and experience that allows me as a therapist to be a better-equipped guide to assist people in the journey of life growth.

When it comes to working with teens, this is my sweet spot. So often parents will reach out to me and say their teen won’t talk to them or anyone else. Yet within just a few moments on my couch, kids start to open up, and over time we work together to help them work through the tough stuff and build the life they desire.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I have to be honest, once I committed to the path of becoming a therapist, it’s been a relatively smooth road. There’s that saying that once you find your passion, everything else will fall into place and for me, that is true.

We’d love to hear more about what you do.
I am a nationally recognized expert on the coming our process for LGBTQ adolescents having spoken at many national conferences, written for national publications and appeared as a topic expert on many television programs.

Being able to bring education to various communities on the journey of the coming out process for LGBTQ teens is a highlight of the work I do. My hope is that through educating others if I can make just one LGBTQ adolescents coming out process safer and more powerful than I have accomplished the work I am passionate about.

What makes me stand out is that I am not only an educator, but I am an advocate for LGBTQ teens. I work closely with many schools and organizations to train their staff so that these kids will feel supported in all aspects of their day. Working with schools to create policy and support is vital to the wellbeing of LGBTQ adolescents, many of whom still report feeling unsafe and bullied in the school environment.

Although I specialize in working with adolescents, I have a wide-ranging client base working on moving through challenges and focusing on creating the most powerful life possible.

Contact Info:

• Address: 16 N Marengo Ave, Suite 318 Pasadena CA 91101
• Website: www.JohnSovec.com
• Facebook: John Sovec, Therapy and Counseling for Teens, Individuals and Couples
• Twitter: @JohnSovec
• Other: www.GayTeenTherapy.com

Image Credit:
Lisa Carney/Martin Hughes

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