We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sophia L. O’Connor. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sophia below.
Sophia, appreciate you joining us today. Setting up an independent practice is a daunting endeavor. Can you talk to us about what it was like for you – what were some of the main steps, challenges, etc.
Being a therapist has been my passion and calling since I was 14 (more backstory on why in the next question). But, you know how people ask you, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” My answer was, “I want to be a therapist who helps people.” I never changed my mind, and my little girl’s dream persisted. Fast forward to completing my Master’s in Human Sexuality after wrapping up my Master’s in Counseling & Psychotherapy, I was in search of a mentor.
I met my incredible sex therapy mentor, Nelly Cannon, who had a practice that exuded vibrant dream business energy. It had glowing reviews, a modern, Pinterest-worthy office, and contagious enthusiasm as she spoke about being a local small business owner! I asked her what her #1 piece of advice would be for a newbie therapist obsessed with changing lives but also executing with excellence. She told me to get a $10,000-limit credit card and max it out on a great business coach, a reputable marketing firm, a top-of-the-line office in the best zip code I could afford, and additional training from the best therapists in my field.
I did just that—except I racked up twice that amount. Oops. However, this turned out to be the best advice I could have received at the most pivotal time in launching my career. Most therapists receive incredible training in listening, caring, and therapy techniques but graduate with zero business skills and a poverty mindset when it comes to investing in their brand.
The problem is that the customer’s experience—from the very first time they call you to scrolling through your website and taking their first seat in your waiting room—is all part of them building trust with you! We are feelers and helpers as therapists, I get it. But we are also notorious for not being the best with business, numbers, or online presence, which is where people actually first meet you. Someone’s first impression of you dictates how much faith they will have in your ability to help them!
I work with couples and individuals who are struggling with sexual and relationship concerns and functioning. This is an incredibly vulnerable and taboo field of therapy that requires a lot of courage to talk about. I am so grateful to my mentor for giving me permission to radically invest in my own brand and not cut corners so I could create an experience that changes lives when it comes to sex, intimacy, and relationships.
My biggest advice to small business owners is to invest in every facet of your customer’s experience. We live in a world where it is rare to feel full trust toward our service providers and to feel truly taken care of in a unique way tailored to us every step of the way. Excellence lives in the smallest details of your business and services. I highly encourage therapists to see their business model as equally important as their services for the following reasons:
It is deeply related to secure attachment. When children grow up in loving homes where their needs are apprehended and met, this makes them feel worthy of care and attention. I believe having a robust business model goes beyond creating a successful brand. It makes people feel truly cared for, secure, and worthy of getting their needs met.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Back to my 14 years old self who decided I wanted to be a therapist. I was sent to an inpatient program for an eating disorder in my adolescence, something many young women struggle with sadly. This inpatient program was a life changing experience, I still remember coming out of it thinking the therapists there were the kindest adults I had ever met—they had saved my life! That experience profoundly shaped me. On that very day, I decided I wanted to be a therapist when I grew up, and I never once changed my mind.
As a young adult, I chose to specialize in sex and relationships, inspired in part by my childhood experiences. Rewind to seven years earlier, I lived in France—a place where people have a remarkably healthy relationship with the erotic, sensuality, and their bodies. It’s something still to this day when I visit I can sense walking down the streets and observing how people interact. Coming back to the U.S., I am continuously struck by how much shame, negative body image, and disconnection from sexuality seemed to dominate our culture. Rewind to my therapy journey, I couldn’t understand why sex and shame was so prevalent, but I knew I wanted to address it.
That realization led me to specialize in this field because I saw a dire need. Fast forward to today, and I am proud to work with couples and individuals on all things SEX and LOVE. My practice addresses concerns like low libido, kinks/BDSM, infidelity recovery, gender care, erectile functioning, polyamory/ENM (ethically non-monogamous relationships), and sex addiction. I help clients navigate and resolve the deeply personal struggles often kept behind closed doors.
These issues, if left unaddressed, can erode a person’s joie de vivre, relationships, work-life, and mental health. Sexuality and relationships are not just aspects of who we are—they are core to our humanity. My mission is to help every client develop a deeper, healthier connection to what sexuality and the erotic mean to them in this lifetime. These elements are not just the “bells and whistles” of life; a fulfilling and healthy sex life is a fundamental human right that should not be dismissed.
Every person deserves to feel whole, worthy, and empowered in their relationships and sexual lives. For many, this process starts by dismantling the shame and stigma they’ve carried for far too long. I strive to create a safe and judgment-free space where clients can explore their deepest vulnerabilities without fear. My goal is to help people rewrite their personal narratives, transforming pain and discomfort into confidence and self-love. I believe that when we embrace our authentic selves, we unlock a level of freedom and joy that touches every area of our lives.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
Business and therapy are two of my biggest passions! Building a reputation in a big city isn’t easy—it takes attention to detail and finding ways to stand out in a sea of amazing therapists. There are so many talented professionals in urban hubs, but what helped me carve out my own space was focusing on one thing: the client experience.
From the very first contact to the final session, I’ve made it my mission to ensure my clients have the best possible experience. It’s the little details that make a huge difference—like choosing an office with plenty of free parking (because who wants to deal with parking stress before therapy?), hiring an assistant who’s super accessible by text or phone for scheduling needs, and creating a cozy office vibe with seasonal candles. Even optimizing my admin systems has been a game-changer. The goal? To remove any distractions or annoyances so clients can focus entirely on their therapy.
My business model revolves around retention and word-of-mouth referrals. I’m always paying attention to my clients’ feedback and tweaking things to meet their needs. This not only builds trust with my clients but also earns respect from fellow therapists I collaborate with. Every positive experience creates a ripple effect—it’s shared with friends, family, and other clinicians, building a feedback loop of trust and referrals.
I think of it this way: When I go to the tailor, visit the farmers market, or hire a handyman, I notice how seamless (or stressful) the experience is as a customer. Can I relax and enjoy the service, or am I dealing with unnecessary obstacles? That seamlessness, that feeling of being taken care of—it’s what I strive to deliver in my practice. In a world where not all businesses focus on the customer’s experience, creating a space where clients feel truly cared for feels like a breath of fresh air. And honestly? It’s worth every bit of effort.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sophiaoconnortherapy.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sophiaoconnortherapy/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wW41u69hR50&ab_channel=SophiaL.O%27ConnorSexTherapist
- Yelp: https://www.instagram.com/sophiaoconnortherapy/
Image Credits
Sway Photography
https://www.swayphotography.com/