Sophia Mai, LPC

I am an experienced trauma therapist, who is dedicated to work with high achievers and perfectionists. Many of my clients struggle with high levels of anxiety and depression due to low self-esteems, because they have been conditioned to believe that they are not lovable unless they meet others' expectations.

Did your parents often demand an unrealistic level of perfection of you but then they belittle and criticize when you can’t live up to their lofty ideals? As a result you learn to be insecure and are often convinced that you are unlovable. Sometimes you have trouble expressing yourself and are fearful that speaking out will result in loss of others' love. Your self-esteem is squashed.

People outside the family are rarely aware of the problems occurring within your family as narcissistic individuals are secretive and usually highly skilled at putting on a public face. In fact, your parents are often very charming and personable. However they have no respect for you and no qualms about announcing humiliating details about your lives to outsiders.

I have close to ten years of work experience to help individuals understand and process their childhood trauma and create stories of their own so that they can honor their unique journey of growth and healing. Having moved to America at a formative age, I learned to embrace the complexity of contending with multiple aspects of the self as I grew older. I am passionate about taking that knowledge and drawing from my empathy and education to support those, who once experienced trauma. I have a particular interest in working with first-generation Americans and those of multi-ethnic, cultural, religious, or socio-economic backgrounds, taking a warm and compassionate approach to empower individuals to uncover and love their authentic selves.