INCLUSIVE THERAPY
FOR THERAPISTS
Online Therapy in 43+ States: AZ, AK, AL, CO, DE, DC, GA, FL, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MO, MI, MN, NE, NJ, NV, NH, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC,TN, TX, UT, VI, WA, WI, WY, & WV
Hi, I'm Sophia Aguirre!
I am a psychologist, a mother, a wife, a business owner, and a proud first-generation college & graduate student. I am a recovering over-achiever/perfectionist who understands the person and professionals struggles to create balance, maintain wellness, and achieve self-actualization.
I am the founder and director of the Aguirre Center for Inclusive Psychotherapy where my associates and I provide culturally-affirming individual therapy, couples therapy, and group therapy to adults.
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With over 15 years of experience, I’ve had the privilege of working with a wide range of concerns, including relational and identity issues, trauma, and the impacts of systemic oppression. My focus is often on helping individuals build healthier, more authentic relationships with themselves and with others. I’m especially passionate about supporting adults who hold marginalized identities across race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and relationship structures, using an intersectional, anti-racist, and social justice-oriented lens.
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Working with therapists and mental health professionals has been one of the most rewarding parts of my career, and it’s become a true specialty for me—mental health professionals now make up over 80% of my caseload. I feel deeply called to support early-career clinicians who may be struggling with imposter syndrome and perfectionism, as well as seasoned therapists facing burnout and compassion fatigue. I'm especially passionate about helping Latinx and BIPOC therapists navigate and heal from the toxic effects of white supremacy and systemic oppression, both personally and professionally.
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​​​​It’s a true privilege to be invited into someone’s healing journey, and I approach each session with warmth, compassion, intuition, and authenticity. I am profoundly grateful to those who have trusted me to walk with them on this transformative path, and I would be honored to walk alongside you as well.​​
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Positionality
I identify as a Latina/Chicana (Mestiza/Brown), cisgender, heterosexual female. As a first generation Chicana born to immigrant parents from Mexico, I have been raised in a bilingual and bicultural home. Clients who work with me can speak English, Spanish, Spanglish, or mix of these in our sessions.
My Approach
What You
Can Expect
My goal is to create a safe, inclusive space where you feel comfortable exploring your unique experiences and healing in ways that honor your full self. I bring a refreshingly direct, transparent approach to my clinical work. I balance my candor with warmth, humor, and humility -- creating a therapeutic environment where growth feels both achievable and sustainable. My goal is to create a safe, trusting, and non-judgmental space where we can work together in a way that feels both supportive and challenging, so you can reach meaningful growth. I’m here to collaborate with you, helping you reconnect with your inner strength and wisdom. While I’m an empathic listener, I’m also active in our sessions—sharing observations, offering support, and providing insights and practical feedback to help you navigate life’s challenges.
Theoretical Orientation
Although I integrate various psychotherapeutic methods and theoretical orientations in my practice, I work primarily from theoretical perspectives that emphasize the authentic relationships, individual strengths, and the potential for growth. Specifically, I have been heavily influenced by interpersonal/relational, psychodynamic, and existential-humanistic theories, as well as Feminist and Liberation movements in psychology. Interpersonal, psychodynamic, attachment, and existential-humanistic theories direct my attention to my client’s current and past relational dynamics as I strongly believe that human beings are primarily motivated by the need to establish and maintain relationships. My primary focus is on the here and now, but I explore my client’s past to provide insight on how early experiences and relationships continue to influence thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in the present. Achieving a deeper understanding of yourself will allow you to have more freedom and control over your life. Feminist and Liberation psychology principles provide the foundation for exploring societal, cultural, and contextual factors and building resilience.
Liberated
Spaces
I am deeply passionate about social justice and helping clients understand the layers of their unique identities. I believe that true healing involves recognizing the historical and systemic forces that impact our mental health. For therapists, this means not only supporting clients through their personal challenges but also acknowledging how colonialism, racism, and oppression shape the therapeutic space itself. I work from an intersectional, anti-oppressive framework that brings awareness to the dynamics of power, privilege, and oppression that have influenced my clients’ lives. With a decolonized approach, I go beyond traditional therapy models, which often reflect Eurocentric values, to incorporate the lived experiences and cultural contexts of marginalized communities. I also celebrate the cultural practices, traditions, and creativity that have empowered Black, Indigenous, and People of Color to build resilience in the face of oppression.  I’m committed to supporting clients in developing a healthier relationship with their body by examining the harmful impacts of sizism and weight-based oppression. My practice is grounded in Health at Every Size (HAES) principles, promoting body diversity, inclusivity, and a critical awareness of cultural messages and systemic forces that contribute to fat-shaming and size-based discrimination.  While I can never fully understand every facet of cultural diversity that shapes my clients’ experiences, I practice with cultural humility, questioning my assumptions and exploring the limits of my own worldview shaped by my identities. I actively engage in personal and professional development to deepen my awareness of power and privilege, allowing me to offer anti-oppressive, inclusive, and culturally responsive support to every client.
Professional Bio
Dr. Sophia Aguirre, Ph.D., CGP, FAGPA, is a Latinx/Chicana Licensed Psychologist (licensed in Georgia and Oregon) and Certified Group Psychotherapist. She is the founder of the Aguirre Center for Inclusive Psychotherapy, a private group practice in Atlanta specializing in culturally responsive care for marginalized communities, including Latinx and BIPOC individuals, immigrants, and to gender, sexuality or relationship minorities. With over 15 years of experience, her expertise includes trauma recovery, working with therapists, race-based trauma, identity concerns, high-achieving individuals, group psychotherapy, and Latinx mental health. Sophia’s practice is anti-racist, trauma-informed, weight-inclusive and and affirming of folks from LGBTQ+, Kink, and Polyamory/Consensual non-monogamy communities.
Sophia maintains a strong investment in her professional community through service, leadership and advocacy. She is passionate about advancing social and racial justice in psychology and group therapy, serving as Secretary of the Board for the American Group Psychotherapy Association and founder/Past Chair of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force of AGPA.
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Sophia holds a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Auburn University, where she focused on multicultural counseling and trauma recovery. Before founding her practice, she was Senior Staff Psychologist and Group Therapy Coordinator at the University of Oregon Counseling Center.
Credentials & Training
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Licensure & CertificationLicensed Psychologist: Georgia #PSY004298 & Oregon #1925 Certified Group Psychotherapist (Certification #053456) Fellow, American Group Psychotherapy Association PSYPACT E. Passport (Mobility Certification #4928)​
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Education & TrainingPh.D. in Counseling Psychology, Auburn University, 2008 ​B.S. in Psychology with Honors, The University of Georgia, 2000​
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Clinical SpecializationsThroughout my professional career, I have been committed to the pursuit of educational, training, and professional experiences that promote group psychotherapy and group psychology. In dedication to furthering my therapeutic skills, I attained the credential of Certified Group Psychotherapist (CGP) awarded by the International Board for Certification of Group Psychotherapists. In 2020, I was elected a Fellow of the American Group Psychotherapy Association, an honor and distinction recognizing outstanding professional competence and leadership within field of group psychotherapy.
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Professional Service & MembershipI am actively involved in my professional community and am passionate about advocating for social justice issues within the field of psychology and group therapy at local, regional and national levels. I currently serve as the Chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force for the American Group Psychotherapy Association, and have previously served in a number of governance and leadership roles within the organization. ​ Secretary, American Group Psychotherapy Association (Past) Chair, Task Force for Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, American Group Psychotherapy Association (Past) Treasurer, Atlanta Group Psychotherapy Society (Past) Chair, Ethnic Minority Affairs Committee, Georgia Psychological Association (Past) President, Lane County Psychological Association (2013 - 2014) (Past) Board Member, Oregon Psychological Organization (2011 - 2015) Member: Georgia Psychological Association, Atlanta Group Psychotherapy Society, American Group Psychotherapy Society, National Latinx Psychological Association, American Psychological Association, Division 49 - Group Psychology, Division 42 - Independent Practice
Fun Facts About Me
I am an avid music lover and a Tori Amos fanatic
My family is my greatest joy and I have the privilege of mothering two amazing little humans
I have a deep connection with water. Oceans and rivers have been a powerful source of healing
I love exploring the natural world, and I enjoy hiking, camping and snowshoeing
I love kayaking! Whether its thrilling adventure on whitewater or peacefully exploring a lake - paddling is deeply centering
I am an avid foodie and I always eager to discover new epicurean delights!
I nurture my creativity through arts & crafts, creating costumes, and interior design/decorating
