Today we’d like to introduce you to Sol Cordova.
Hi Sol, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My passion for therapy is rooted in my desire to help others find their way back to themselves. As a daughter of Mexican immigrants, I was raised hearing stories of the dreams and aspirations my parents had for our family. Like many first-generation students and young adults, I felt my self-worth was tied to my achievements in meeting those dreams. My journey through college, non-profit work, and therapy training led me to discover my own voice and a life-long commitment to helping others find happiness in their authentic self.
After graduating from St. Edward’s University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, I looked back and realized that my most treasured experiences involved working with first-generation students applying to college. This paved the road to serving as a program coordinator with Breakthrough Central Texas, a non-profit dedicated to helping first-generation college students succeed in applying to and completing college. Working with first-generation students and their families highlighted the strength of community, the resilience of students wanting more for themselves, and the pressure to achieve not just for themselves but for their family.
The privilege of working closely with students allowed for strong relationships to form. Our conversations often shifted to areas outside of academics including their unique struggles as first-generation students. This sparked my transition away from education and towards the mental health field. Today, a large portion of my private practice caseload consists of first-generation adults.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Becoming a therapist was certainly a long and arduous process; however, the real work started once I created a business. I learned about PLLCs, DBAs, bookkeeping, and taxes in a relatively short amount of time. I realized the value of networking and promoting my skills and services. Both of these did not come naturally as I am more of an introverted person. To get through the steep learning curve of owning a business, I focussed on strengthening my therapist tribe and meeting regularly with groups of my peers. To this day, we continue to meet, exchange ideas, and talk about the highs and lows of being a business owner and a therapist.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I am the owner and founder of Mind & Sol Therapy. My practice focuses on helping people reconnect with their most authentic self. I help clients strengthen their ability to use their voice, unapologetically take up space, and comfortably be themselves just as they are. Many of my clients struggle with anxiety, imposter syndrome, and perfectionism. Most have a history of difficult relationships with caregivers, feeling misunderstood by peers, or a general feeling of not belonging.
I create a compassionate space where my clients gain awareness of the narrative playing in the background. We work on understanding where this narrative comes from and if it is still working for them. Clients begin to formulate a new narrative that fits the life they want to be living.
I am primarily a relational therapist. The therapeutic relationship is the most important aspect of our work. Clients need a space where they feel safe enough to begin taking the necessary risks toward the change they want to see in their lives. Additionally, I am trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, Emotion Focused Therapy, and Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy all of which I use depending on presenting issues and what the client needs at the time.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
COVID highlighted the impact of social isolation on our well-being. The hopelessness exhibited in sessions in the last two years has been overwhelming at times. The strangest part of this experience is helping others navigate through what I am also currently experiencing. At times, it felt like the oxygen masks deployed on an airplane and I am trying to help my clients with their masks while mine is on backwards. I’ve had to learn, along with my clients, how to take better care of myself so I can show up for those I love.
On a more technical note, Telehealth works. I was skeptical at the beginning of the pandemic. I thought there was no way that seeing one another via a screen could possibly be the same as in-person engagement. While it feels different, we can still co-create a strong therapeutic relationship capable of healing and change.
Contact Info:
- Email: sol@mindsoltherapy.com
- Website: https://mindsoltherapy.com/
