Who Am I?

Hi there, I’m so glad you’re here.

When people ask themselves, “Who Am I?" a lot may come up. A lot definitely comes up for me.

For most people, it’s usually first the obvious labels…I’m a sister, a daughter, a fiancee, a friend, a therapist, a learner, a cat mom, a traveler, and yoga teacher…all of which are true :)

But then if we search deeper, we find that we are more than these surface identity labels…we’re even deeper…labels…kind, patient, ambitious, adventurous, funny, curious, smart, emotional, kinda weird, sassy at times, direct, yet compassionate…

And if we look even deeper…we find that maybe it’s more complex and even more ethereal than all of that…a student of life, a lover of nature, a curious mind eager to wonder “why?”, sometimes a klutz, a little awkward sometimes, a silly goose, a spirit that longs to live in their purpose, a soul that has been hurt but then healed again, a human - just like you, helping you to walk home to yourself.

But that’s enough of that therapy talk ;)

I know what you really came here to see. Down below is my “professional about me,” so you know I’m not all woo-woo and have some solid training, experience, and background to help you (unless you already like what you have read, then in that case, you can stop reading)

Sonia Hopkins is a Licensed Professional Counselor at DTA supervised by Dr. Katerina Nair of DTA. She earned her Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from The University of Memphis, and has a background in psychological research as well as several years of clinical experience working in residential, outpatient, hospital, and community agency settings with a heavy focus on trauma, addiction, relational, and attachment related concerns. Sonia is a couple months away from having her full LPC license (over 3,000 post grad hours + 900 graduate internship hours).

Approach: Sonia believes in meeting the client where they're at as well as acknowledging the strength and courage it takes to even reach out for some guidance. (I'm so proud of you, already!) I am compassionate, yet direct. I will be gentle whilst also supporting you to move forward and challenging current beliefs. I am patient, kind, and forgiving, yet also boundaried in an attempt to model healthy boundaries to you. I will laugh with you, and sometimes cry with you. I will encourage you to keep learning and practicing outside of therapy so that this work…can work. In fact, that is the only way this work will really work.

Therapy Style + Modalities: She also believes in looking at the client as a WHOLE. She utilizes a holistic, integrative, humanistic, and eclectic therapy style, taking a mind/body/soul approach borrowing from Person Centered therapy, Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS), Polyvagal Theory, Somatic Therapy + Yoga Techniques, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Expressive Arts, Emotions Focused Therapy (EFT), Existential Therapy, and Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) according to the specific needs and comfort of the client.

Training + Certificates: In addition to her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Sonia also holds a Bachelor’s of Psychology, a Minor in Child Development, and a Minor in Business Management.

Currently, Sonia is enrolled in Levels 1-3 of the Integrative Somatic Parts Work Certificate Program with Dr. Booth to enhance her IFS and Somatic Skills.

Recently, Sonia completed her 200HR Integrative Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training in May of 2024, Quantum Touch Energy Work Level 1 Training in December of 2023, Somatic Embodiment Training in Spring of 2023, and The Flash Technique: Basic Principles and Protocols in January of 2023.

Prior, she completed a Psychedelics Fundamentals training with MAPS in August 2022, Internal Family Systems (IFS) Basics monthly trainings from March-August of 2022 (and practiced in this modality for 3 years in residential/outpatient settings), an 8 week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Training (MBSRT) in January of 2022, Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT) Training in January of 2022, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) 4 Day Externship in November of 2021, Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools, Provider Training Courses 1 + 2 in October of 2021, as well as an ACT Therapy Intensive Training in July of 2019.

Clinical Interests: Sonia's clinical interests include trauma related issues, people pleasing and relational issues, body image/disordered eating, substance use recovery maintenance, self-compassion/inner critic work, anxiety, life transitions, family of origin issues (attachment, abuse, enmeshment, codependency), grief, identity, high achievers/perfectionism, and professional development.

Hobbies: In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, baking sourdough, gardening, watching reality tv, traveling, doing something creative, or spending time with friends and family.

Fun Facts: Sonia is left handed, she used to want to be a meteorologist (but math is not my forte or life path in this life), she is the oldest daughter, and loves to find the Big Dipper whenever she looks at the stars.

Personality Types: Myer-Briggs: ENFJ/ENFP; Enneagram: 3 and 8 are tied; Human Design: 2/4 Emotional Projector; Astrology: Sun-Aquarius, Moon-Saggitarius, Rising-Capricorn

A little background: Being a first generation college student and graduate, and bi-racial (Asian and White) herself, Sonia deeply understands the effect unique identity, financial, gender, cultural, and relational struggles can have on an individual. Sonia has dealt with her own history of childhood trauma, generational trauma, suicidal thoughts, OCD and anxiety, perfectionism, depression, people pleasing, and chronic health symptoms stemming from emotional root causes, and can deeply and personally attest to the power of doing the work, that healing is not linear, and that there is hope for peace.

Sonia's hope is that together we can uncover the root issues of your concerns and guide you down a path to a healthier and more satisfying life.

I would be honored to walk down this path with you.

What People Are Saying

  • Individual Client Anita

    “

    I have had several mental health professionals throughout the past decade, but my time with Sonia has been the most effective and genuinely supportive experience I’ve had so far. From the beginning, Sonia was professional, non-judgemental, and committed to my well-being. This was apparent from when she first reached out to me to schedule an appointment, to when she listened intently to my history and therapy goals, and throughout the year of therapy together. The main target areas when I entered therapy were to address depression, anxiety, family trauma, and life transitions (career). I am happy to say that I have successfully resolved my concerns and have developed skills in self-compassion, positive self-talk, and mindfulness. Furthermore, I have rebuilt relationships in my family and have successfully transitioned into a career that I feel happy pursuing. The biggest contribution to this growth was the opportunity for me to dive deeper. Sonia had built a safe space for me to feel comfortable expressing suppressed emotions and memories, and that significantly aided my process in healing. Sonia also offered practical guidance in areas I was struggling with, such as sleep, organizing my day, social interactions, and physical activity. Through Sonia’s guidance, I was given great care to help me flourish into my best self.

    ”

  • Group Client GS

    “

    hi sonia! i just wanted to reach out just to let you know how much of an impact you had on me! (i still kept the rock you all had made for me and use it when im struggling) but i seriously appreciate you! you really help me feel understood when things were not going too well and i still have the notes we would take in cbt.😭 i was actually rereading some of them the other day. but seriously though! you’re absolutely incredible and helped me through times i thought i'd never get out of! even though i was only there a few short weeks, you made such a lifelong impact! 🫂😇

    ”

  • Colleague Casey Chow, LMFT

    “

    A genuine and knowledgeable soul with much experience not only in the mental health field, but also experiences navigating her own worldview. Sonia has nothing but the utmost professionalism and unconditional positive regard for those around her!

    ”

Professional Awards

Outstanding Grad Student in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (2022)


George T. & Betty Johnson Endowed Grad Scholarship (2021)


MIBH-TI Grant Recipient (2021)


Psi Chi Psychology Honor Society President (2019)

Helen Hardin Honors Scholarship (2018)

Jim Mitchell Kiwanis Scholarship (2016)

You are your own best healer - I’m simply guiding you back to yourself.

Let’s get started

At the end of the day, all this is great, but I know one of the biggest pieces to healing can be the therapeutic connection. Send me an email to schedule an intake session OR schedule a FREE 15 min phone consultation so we can get started and see if we’re a good fit :)