My purpose is to foster safety and hope, so you have the courage to show up as you are, learn what you need, and grow into who you’re becoming.
Sophie Zbesko is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in private practice in Denver, specializing in animal-assisted and somatic-based therapy.
Sophie earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from American University and her Master’s in Social Work, with an emphasis in Health and Wellness, from the University of Denver.
Her professional experience spans a variety of settings, including supporting youth experiencing homelessness, providing social-emotional support in under-resourced schools, and facilitating individual and group therapy in community mental health and outpatient settings. She has worked with clients across the lifespan — from elementary school-aged children through adulthood — which allows her to meet people where they are and tailor the therapeutic process to each client’s unique needs and goals.
Sophie’s therapeutic approach is grounded in a systems perspective. She believes healing from stress, trauma, and emotional challenges requires consideration of the broader contexts that shape people’s lives — including relationships, work, school, identity, culture, and the impact of systemic oppression.
She is committed to creating a space rooted in anti-oppressive and liberation-focused practices, where clients can feel seen, affirmed, and supported in all aspects of their identity. Her work invites clients to explore the full weight of their experiences — both personal and political — while moving toward healing, connection, and growth.
A few core principles guide my approach:
-
You are the expert of your own life. My role is to support and guide you in uncovering what's already within you.
-
Therapy should be a space that celebrates and affirms who you are, that does not require educating your therapist on your identity.
-
There is no one way to heal. I draw from a range of modalities to meet your unique circumstances, needs, and goals.
-
Therapy is your space. You are free to show up as you are, whether that means laughing, crying, yelling, cursing, or sitting in silence.
-
I show up as a human in the room. I am not a blank slate; I value authenticity and believe that a genuine therapeutic relationship is central to meaningful change.
My Training
Sophie takes a holistic approach when working with clients, integrating interventions, skills, and ideologies from a variety of modalities to provide the best support possible.
-
Licensed Clinical Social Work
-
Master's of Social Work from The University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work, with an emphasis on Health and Wellness
-
Yoga Teacher (certified with 400+ hours)
-
Somatic Attachment Therapy through Embody Lab
-
TF-CBT
-
DBT Part 1, 2, and 3
-
Suicide Risk and Intervention
-
Experiential Therapy
-
Animal-Assisted Therapy through the Professional Therapy Dogs of Colorado
-
Brainspotting Phase 1
-
Auricular Acu-Technician (certified AcuDetox/AcuWellness practitioner with POCA)
-
Sound Bowl Healing Fundamentals Level 1
-
Quartz Crystal Singing Bowls Level 2
-
Tuning Forks Level 2
-
Reiki II Practictioner