Sophia Alapati

Sophia (She/Her) Hello! I’m Sophia (she/her), and my work is guided by three core qualities: Creative, Curious, and Practical. My goal is to collaborate with you to help you reclaim your time, energy, and life from anxiety and shame. Why I Became a Therapist My path to becoming a therapist is deeply rooted in personal experience. As a kid struggling with trichotillomania (hair pulling disorder), I saw many therapists who were not knowledgeable about Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs). Their treatment methods were often unhelpful and left me feeling isolated and worse. I distinctly remember thinking, "If I were a therapist treating trich, I would know what I was talking about." That moment of frustration became my mission to provide the specialized, knowledgeable, and empathetic care that I wished I had received. I now draw on my own lived experience with hair pulling disorder to inform my clinical insight and compassion. My Therapeutic Approach My foundation is client-centered and humanistic, meaning I honor your inherent strengths and believe you are the expert on your own life. For BFRBs (including hair pulling, skin picking, and nail biting), I specialize in the Comprehensive Behavioral Model (ComB). I favor ComB because it is highly customizable. Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, we work together to identify the specific emotional, sensory, environmental, and cognitive factors that uniquely influence your behavior, developing strategies tailored precisely to those influences. For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and anxiety disorders, I utilize evidence-based practices that truly empower you: Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP): I find ERP transformative because it enables people to embrace uncertainty and get back to the things that matter to them, rather than living a life dictated by fear and avoidance. Inference-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (I-CBT): This modality is designed to help you connect with the "here and now," addressing the underlying self-doubt that fuels OCD symptoms. When appropriate, I blend in elements of solutions-focused therapy, mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and traditional talk therapy to ensure our work is holistic and effective. Specializations and Client Outcomes I specialize in helping adults and young adults (including teens 14+ who are committed to the process) with: Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs) Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Anxiety Disorders (Panic Disorder, Phobias, Social Anxiety, GAD, Illness Anxiety) I also particularly enjoy working with writers, members of the queer community, and other therapists. Clients choose to work with me because they want to overcome feelings of anxiety and shame, build confidence and self-compassion, and feel more comfortable and effective in their daily lives. After working together, clients consistently leave therapy with: A practical toolbox of strategies to cope with urges and behaviors they want to change. A deeper understanding of themselves, their emotions, and their behaviors. The ability to reclaim their time and mental energy from BFRBs, anxiety, and OCD. I primarily offer individual therapy but am happy to collaborate with families and support systems to help them understand their loved one's diagnosis and how to provide effective support. Personal Identity and Fun Facts I am biracial (white/Asian Indian) and a member of the queer community. These identities and experiences, along with my personal journey with trichotillomania, inform the empathetic, non-judgmental space I provide in session. When I’m not in the office, I embrace my creative side through hobbies like watercolor painting, embroidery, woodworking, and creative writing. I also love to sing and am a member of a queer choir in Baltimore! A few fun facts: I’ve visited all 50 U.S. states and I collect smashed pennies (I have over 100!).