About Roots Rising
Hi! I’m Sophia Koh (she/they)
I am passionate about supporting people in reconnecting with their own inner wisdom and strength. I believe in the power of co-creating an affirming space for you to delicately dive inwards, to identify and unravel the beliefs that have been ingrained in you that no longer serve you, and to lovingly discover the depths of your own being.
As a compassionate and intuitive therapist, I believe that deep healing begins when we embrace every part of our selves, including the parts we may have buried or dismissed. Together, we will explore emotions, thoughts, and experiences from a place of compassion as well as curiosity. Through this process, we will help you connect with the roots of your true self, and identify what supports can be put in place for you to grow and thrive.
My Approach
I believe in working with the humanity within each of us, rather than pathologizing the human experience. Together we will co-create a warm and non-judgmental space for you to meet and embrace yourself and your experiences. My practice is centered around meeting you where you are and supporting you in your path of deep emotional healing and self-acceptance.
I integrate a variety of therapeutic techniques, including mindfulness, somatic-based practices, Internal Family Systems (also referred to as IFS, parts work and shadow work), EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) and gentle inquiry to create a personalized healing journey that aligns with your unique needs and goals.
Nature has a profound way of teaching us about interconnectedness, abundance, life, death, resilience, survival, and transformation. Drawing inspiration from the wisdom of nature, I may infuse our work with lessons from nature and her cycles to help you become more attuned to your own natural rhythm, if that resonates with your therapeutic goals.
Focus Areas: Trauma, Anxiety, Grief/Loss, Attachment, Relationships, Life Transitions, Identity Exploration, Self-Regulation, Parenting, LGBTQIA+, Polyamory/CNM.
Personal Background
I was raised in New York and moved to North Carolina for undergrad followed by Colorado after graduation. I have also lived in Spain, Costa Rica, Panama, and Colombia. I currently live a semi-nomadic lifestyle and when I am not working, enjoy spending my time traveling, connecting with different cultures and communities, meditating in nature, reading, journaling, and playing. I am passionate about movement based practices such as yoga, highlining, rock climbing, and dancing.
My experience as a queer and gender-nonconforming person informs the space I hold for LGBTQIA+, polyamorous/consensually non-monogamous, and questioning clients.
Professional Background
and Education
My professional experience includes working with diverse populations ranging from elementary aged children, adolescents, and adults. I offer services in both English and Spanish.
My career began working in elementary schools, first with AmeriCorps, and later as a school based therapist followed by a social emotional learning specialist (SELS). I facilitated individual, group, and family therapy as both a school based therapist as well as a SELS.
During my time as a social emotional learning specialist, I also wrote and facilitated professional development for teachers and the school community on restorative practices, trauma informed classroom management strategies, self-regulation, executive functioning strategies, mindfulness strategies, and more. Additionally, I secured funding to diversify the school library and bought over 150 books related to: social justice, antiracism, gender and sexual identity, inclusivity and diversity. Then crafted and taught anti-racism / social justice social emotional learning curriculums to classrooms grades K-5, fostering understanding and inclusivity as school community values. Additionally served in empowering teachers to embark on their own journey of unlearning biases in the classroom and supported a warm transfer of the teaching of these curriculums. Lastly, offered coaching support to teachers on navigating challenging behaviors in the classroom, developing self-care practices in order to prevent burnout, and exploring ways in which they can disrupt systemic issues that impacted their classroom.
My community work includes supporting families in getting connected to resources (housing, food, employment, etc.), holding space for children and parents navigating the immigration system, and offering guidance for parents/caregivers in navigating the challenges of parenting and promoting a harmonious family dynamic.
I also have experience working with the Department of Human Services (DHS). First as a case manager for children in the foster care system and adults with developmental disabilities living in home placements. And then transitioned to working with the Adams County DHS Internal Treatment Team as a child protection therapist, where I facilitated therapy for parents and caregivers with open cases with the county due to neglect or abuse. Specifically, partnered most closely with parents/caregivers with a history of substance abuse and/or domestic violence as well as the non-offending caregivers of children who experienced sexual abuse. This included facilitating a psychosexual educational group for the non-offending caregivers of children who were sexually abused.
Much of my professional experience has been devoted to serving individuals impacted by trauma, poverty, or systemic racism, injustice, and oppression.
Education
Master of Social Work
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Denver, CO
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Elon University
Elon, NC