EMDR Therapist & Art Therapist
About me
EMDR therapist and qualified art therapist. Over a decade of experience in the UK, now based in Montpellier.
My background
I am Sophie Santolaria, an EMDR therapist and qualified art therapist. I hold a Master's degree in Art Therapy from Scotland and trained in EMDR with an EMDR Europe accredited trainer. I worked for over ten years in the UK, in Manchester, Glasgow, and Edinburgh, within the NHS, educational settings, and the voluntary sector, in the field of mental health.
After more than a decade abroad, I am now based in Montpellier, France. My years of living and working across different countries have given me a deep understanding of the challenges of mobility, cultural adaptation, and identity, and a particular sensitivity to the experience of people living between worlds.
Working with expats and international clients
I have a particular interest in working with people who live between cultures, expats, third-culture individuals, and those navigating life in a language or country that is not their own. These experiences bring their own specific challenges: identity, belonging, grief for what was left behind, and the complexity of building a life in a new place.
I offer sessions in both French and English, which means you can work in whichever language feels most natural, or switch between the two, as many bilingual clients find helpful.
An inclusive practice
I work with adults, teenagers, and children from all backgrounds. My practice is LGBTQIA+ inclusive. I aim to create a space where each person can explore their history and identity with gentleness and safety.