About Sophia

Sophia Hughes, Intern Couples Counsellor

Sophia is passionate about the role of interpersonal relationships in well-being, and believes that the quality of our relationships greatly influences our health and happiness.

Sophia works with both individuals and couples as an Intern Counsellor at NeurAlive. Having trained in the PREP (Prevention & Relationship Education Program) approach to couples therapy, Sophia works closely with couples to address the challenges that can often arise in our intimate relationships, including the loss of trust, emotional disconnect and the danger signs to be aware of, hidden issues that undermine our connections and understanding of one another, expectations, infidelity, and road-mapping for the future. Even though the difficulties in relationships can be uncomfortable at times and leave us feeling hopeless, Sophia sees these challenges as valuable opportunities for healing and growth.

Throughout the therapeutic process, Sophia enjoys collaborating with her clients and supporting them to achieve their desired outcomes, and in approaching well-being from a relational framework, aims to empower clients to learn about and express their needs, and to create environments where those needs can be met. Through this work, she supports individuals and couples in fostering satisfying, safe, and meaningful relationships.

Drawing from attachment theory, Sophia’s approach considers how each individual’s early life development and family history influences their present day relationships. Acknowledging the foundational role of effective communication and regulation of the nervous system in cultivating healthy relationships, she incorporates a variety of therapeutic tools that promote emotional regulation, mindfulness, and safe communication. This enables clients to explore more deeply the role their background and upbringing has in their current relationships. It also helps to foster a greater understanding of what drives behaviours and coping strategies. Through this process, clients can increase their self-compassion, empathy for others, and sense of personal empowerment to create positive change in their lives and relationships. 

Through Sophia’s professional and educational experiences she’s developed a keen interest for relating to others, and a strong understanding of group dynamics. Her work with children influences her passion for couples counselling as she is fascinated by the way families present to their children the blue-prints for future adult relationships. She also believes that adult relationships can be an avenue for the healing of childhood and generational trauma.

Specializations: Relationships, Anxiety, Depression, Emotional Distress, Attachment and Early-Life Influences, and Grief and Loss.

Populations: Adults, Couples.

Education and Work Experience: Sophia holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of British Columbia and is currently completing a Master’s in Counselling Psychology at the University of Victoria. Her Master’s thesis focuses on ethics, intimate partner violence, and gender, specifically the ethical practices and challenges of therapy while counselling men who experience domestic violence. Sophia also has a background working with at-risk children and youth in residential and community settings.

Beyond the Work: When she is not providing counselling services for clients or working on her thesis, Sophia enjoys spending time in nature, and cooking with friends.