Get to know your therapist.

The start of your journey begins with finding the right therapist.

I believe that the strength and depth of a therapeutic relationship is the cornerstone of your therapy journey. It is so so important that you feel a connection with your therapist!!

Below is some more information about me to see if I feel like the right fit for you.

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she/her
Psychotherapist and Director

Sophia Pounendis

My passion truly lies in helping you find your own authentic voice, offering a safe space for exploring, understanding, expressing, nurturing, and healing the relationship you have with yourself. 

My journey as a psychotherapist has been one of my own self-discovery, rooted in honouring and accepting all parts of me and what truly is already inside myself (I have walked the walk myself!)
This journey has looked like practising compassion, stepping into vulnerability, tuning into the wisdom of my body and listening to the unheard parts of myself with curiosity and understanding.

Temenos Psychotherapy was developed and founded on the belief that our shared humanity, vulnerability, and genuine connection between one another are vital elements for our process towards unfolding, growth and transformation. The values, principles and philosophy of Temenos is centred on this understanding that deep healing happens within relationship.

My therapeutic style is characterised with warmth, openness & curiosity yet also balanced with clear decisiveness when necessary. I naturally integrate a sense of playfulness and humour into our sessions, all the while upholding a grounded, respectful, and focused approach. My commitment is to remain authentically engaged and responsive to you and your individual needs.

It's with honour and privilege to stand witness to your life and unique story. I am committed to journeying alongside you on your path toward a more fulfilling and meaningful life.

“I believe that we do not heal in isolation but in the presence of others who deeply understand us.”
Work with Sophia

Therapeutic Approaches drawn upon.

  • Silhouette of a heron standing on one leg inside a pink circle, Hakomi Mindful Somatic Psychotherapy symbol.

    Principles and Methods of Hakomi Mindful Somatic Psychotherapy

  • Illustration of a human profile with a green face, showing a brain filled with many smiling and frowning faces, and a single realistic eye.

    Internal Family Systems

  • An adult woman with dark hair in a bun holding up a young girl with pigtails and a red shirt, while the girl reaches up and appears to be playing or smiling. The woman is wearing a red long-sleeve top or dress. The background is white, and part of a news publication logo is visible.

    Attachment Focused Therapy

  • Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

  • Person-centred Psychotherapy

  • Open book with silhouette of a family holding hands, cast as shadows on the pages, placed on a wooden table.

    Narrative Therapy

  • Colorful abstract painting of a human head in profile with a black outline, filled with various bright colors and brushstrokes.

    Art Therapy

  • Diagram showing the cycle of thoughts, feelings, and behavior influencing each other.

    Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Credentials.

⋄ Bachelor of Secondary Education | University of South Australia ⋄ Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy | Australian College of Applied Psychology ⋄ Member of the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA ) | No. 29603
Certified Practicing Counsellor - 1100+ hours in client work
⋄ Level 1 & 2 of Hakomi Mindful Somatic Psychotherapy Professional Training (228 hours)
⋄ Currently completing Level 3 Advanced Clinical Skills in Hakomi Mindful Somatic Psychotherapy

Additional Trainings Completed:

Logo of the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia, featuring the certification for Practising Counsellor, with the initials 'CPC' and the word 'PACA' in stylized text.

⋄ Embracing Suicidal Parts: Using Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy to Heal Traumatic Wounds |PESI
⋄ Getting Started as a Walking Therapist: A Step-by-Step Guide | PESI
⋄ Responding to Risks of Harm, Abuse & Neglect - Department of Education
⋄ Safe Environments for Children and Young People
⋄ First Aid Training HLTAID009 - Provide Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

Register No. 29603

Words that clients have shared about therapy with Sophia…

*I have been given permission to be share the below testimonials from past or current clients.*

  • "Sophia is beyond incredible!!! Her warmth and empathy is evident from the very second I've engaged with her and has made therapy such a wonderful experience. She has made me feel so incredibly seen and safe; the safest I have ever felt when discussing such deep trauma's from the past 3 decades. I've been having regular therapy for 15 years and she is by far the best I have ever worked with. I cannot recommend her more."

    - AK

  • "I have been seeing Sophia for a few months now and she has helped me heal and transform so much in this time. She provides a safe and non-judgemental space, and offers her unconditional love and support every single time. I highly recommend her to everyone I feel could use her help. I wouldn't go to anyone else."

    - KM

  • "Sophia is the real deal and has helped me so much with one to one online somatic therapy. She is a kind soul who is so intuitive and knowledgeable. She has helped me recognise and release lots from childhood trauma from my mind and body. I recommend her so highly!"

    - VR

  • "I just want to say a big big thank you to you!! I've never felt so seen and heard by a therapist! I feel so lucky to be working with you and for all the guidance you have given me on this journey. So so grateful to have been connected with you, you are truly amazing at what you do."

    - clients words

  • "I genuinely cannot express how rewarding working with Sophia is. If you're hesitating on working with her, don't (or have a free connection call with her haha). Sophia radiates warmth, care and understanding whilst holding a supportive space throughout each and every session. My inner child has always been neglected and for the first time ever, at 30 years old, it feels safe to work through my trauma because of my session with Sophia. Her guidance and support is unmatched, and I truly am healing and connecting with parts of me that I didn't even know were there. Trauma work is hard, confronting and certainly uncomfortable, however, Sophia provides such a nurturing space for all of my parts to be seen, heard, felt and acknowledge that I believe if everyone had a Sophia in their life, the world would be a better place."

    - A.K

  • "Sophia is a wonderful therapist whose warmth and compassion create a truly nuturing environment. From the moment you start the session, you feel genuinely heard and understood. Her non-judgemental approach allows you the freedom to express fully, knowing you are in a safe space. I also value Sophia's intuitive abilities, which are remarkable; during those moments when words fail you, she gently offers the perfect prompts to guide you forward."

    - TW

  • " I love Sophia's gentle but to the point approach to somatic therapy. Sophia has helped me navigate through, not around, past childhood trauma to help me not just recall but also heal my inner child. It is the most helpful and effective therapy I have ever done in 50 years, Sophia is the real deal."

    - VR

  • "I consider myself fortunate to have found Sophia. The perspectives and insights I've gained through her therapy have been very helpful. i wholeheartedly recommend Sophia to anyone seeking deep, meaningful and compassionate therapeutic support."

    - TW

  • "After reading hundreds of self-help books and doing years of talk therapy throughout my life, your somatic therapy is truly a miracle and the most needed and effective therapy. THANK YOU for sharing your empathy, knowledge abd healing with others. I truly appreciate and love you!"

    - VR

  • "I have experienced the deep listening and support you provide ands it's so powerfully healing."

    - VR

  • "Thanks for being better than any psychologist I've had even despite their 'clinical credentials'."

    - a former client

  • "I couldn’t recommend Sophia highly enough. She is incredibly warm, supportive, and creates such a safe and comfortable space every session. I always leave feeling lighter, understood, and like I’ve received exactly the support I needed. I’m so grateful to have found someone who genuinely cares and makes such a positive difference."

    - KK

  • "I can confidently say I would recommend anyone to make an appointment with Sophia. I have tried a lot of different types of therapy over the years, but my sessions with Sophia have definitely been the most helpful and transformative. She is super supportive and really makes you feel safe and heard. She is an incredible listener and unlike most talk therapy sessions, you leave each session feeling empowered. I think we forget we all have the answers and solutions to our problems within ourselves (deep deep down). She is just amazing at drawing those answers or feelings to the surface, in a way that feels enlightening rather than scary. I genuinely love each of our sessions."

    - LG

  • "Beautiful and wise practitioner. I reached out to Sophia when I first wanted to dive into private practise and she so openly and graciously gave me all the information I needed to get going. It was incredibly kind and I wouldn’t have gotten going without her willingness to share so openly and still does when I have questions. Ive always appreciated her warmth, support and wisdom in the therapy space and her content on social media she shares to support others. As a therapist, she genuinely cares about her clients and is super trauma informed with lots of wisdom, and speaks from the heart ❤️ if you have had bad experiences with therapy in the past, Sophia really does fill the gap here and provides a different approach. She’s very big on connecting with you and you will feel that in her presence. Defs book in!"

    - from a colleague