Background
My name is Sylvia Soto and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (#118792). I am a second generation Latina and a daughter of immigrants. I am bicultural and fluent in Spanish. I work with individuals, including teens and adults, couples and families in the Inland Empire and the Los Angeles area. I have experience working with eating disorders, body image issues, self-esteem issues, anxiety, depression, shame and acculturation issues. I provide therapy in Spanish and have experience working with Spanish speaking communities.
I graduated from the University of California, Irvine with a bachelors degree in Sociology and I graduated from California State University, Fullerton with a Masters in Counseling. Before working as a therapist I worked in various areas including as a tutor/mentor for at risk youth, in special education and in eating disorder treatment centers. I have over 5 years of experience working as a therapist in a variety of mental health treatment settings. I began working at multiple community agencies providing school-based counseling to at risk youth from ages 5-18. I also provided individual, couples and family therapy to primarily Spanish speaking communities.
I have a special interest in working with eating disorders and have experience working in a variety of outpatient settings including both partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient. My approach with eating disorders includes a collaborative relationship with a multidisciplinary team to address the multifaceted nature of eating disorders.
On a personal note, I love spending time with family, friends and my energetic husky! I love to dance, read and watch true crime shows. I consider myself a wounded healer who is on a continual process of growth and would love to be apart of yours.
My Approach
My approach as a therapist has centered around creating empathetic, authentic and non-judgmental relationships with my clients. I highly value the unique experience and story of each person and I believe clients are experts in their own experiences. I like to explore with curiosity and understanding the circumstances, the obstacles and emotional pain that have impacted and continue to impact their lives. I work alongside clients at their own pace with a goal of creating a safe environment where clients feel free to explore and express themselves. I believe that with exploration clients are able to gain awareness and enhance their ability to make choices in creating meaningful and fulfilling lives.