Today we’d like to introduce you to Sonia Torrey.
Hi Sonia, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
In retrospection, my journey to become a licensed professional counselor began far earlier than I ever imagined. I struggled to find a career field when I was in college for my undergraduate degree, and though I knew I would most likely not be able to make it as a starving artist, I earned my bachelor’s in art with a focus in painting and printmaking and an interest in art history and museums. After personal challenges with substances, I got into long-term recovery in 2006 and experienced the healing power of therapy. Going from isolation to connection allowed me to see the importance of relationships which is the foundation of what I do today in the therapy space. I learned the importance of listening and understanding who is in front of me, and developing a relationship of trust and validation. I found that shame and fear are great barriers and perpetuate themselves to the point of impacting one’s ability to function. As an athlete growing up and continuing into adulthood, I leaned on my experience of discipline and teamwork but also struggled with sometimes unrealistic expectations rooted in perfectionism and achievement. These personal experiences and those I see in others steered me to the specialties of OCD, anxiety, and addiction.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Of course, there have been challenges I have faced during my journey to become a LPC. Some of the biggest ones have been self-doubt especially being a “mature” grad student amongst much younger members of my master’s cohort for clinical mental health counseling. I tried to shift my self-doubt to self-confidence in my ability to do hard things and use my life and work experience to enrich my studies both with the classroom learning and practical clinic training that I encountered in my master’s program.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor specializing in OCD, anxiety-related disorders, and addiction. I have worked in various settings including Residential, Partial Hospitalization, and Intensive Outpatient, and currently am seeing individuals in my private practice at Limitless Living, LLC and plan to offer groups in the future. Taking from my personal experiences, I value the process of therapy and creating a trusted and safe space with people looking to heal or adjust to life changes as well as regain freedom from their mental health struggles. I understand what it is like to face significant challenges that require doing really hard things and making big changes with a lot of uncertainty about what lies ahead. Asking for help and allowing oneself to be vulnerable are not people’s initial responses, and yet can yield so much growth and a healthier way of functioning. I am proud that I am able to develop therapeutic relationships with others to assist them in making the changes they desire and living a life worth living.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
It’s said so frequently, and it cannot be underestimated, that self-care is so important. It is very easy to burn out in the field of counseling, as we sit with individuals who share a lot of pain. Boundaries are critical not only for oneself but for those we help. Having a network of other therapists to consult with and to remind me that I am not alone has been so helpful for me. I am able to be a better therapist if I get different perspectives from fellow therapists through consultation if I am struggling with helping a client. Also knowing that it is ok not to have all the answers and to allow myself grace not to know, yet to continue to be a lifelong learner and grow as an individual and a therapist. Lastly, believe you belong! The experience of imposter syndrome is so common, and it is easy to be self-critical and lack self-compassion. Trust yourself, your instincts, and the work you have done to be where you are today.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://limitlessliving901.com/page/sonia-torrey
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonia-torrey-ms-lpc-mhsp-ncc-cac-ii-ncac-i-8a355545/
- Other: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/sonia-torrey-cordova-tn/1103814
