Sofya Tretiakova
Counsellor-in-training
Qualifications
MA (Counselling) [In Progress], Grad Cert (Counselling), BSc (Psychology)
Languages
English, Russian
Clinical Hours
Tuesdays, 11am-5pm
Wednesdays, 1pm-4pm
Saturdays, 11am-5pm
Fees
Individual Therapy (50 minutes): $50
Individual Therapy (80 minutes): $75
Sofya Tretiakova
Counsellor-in-training
About
Sofya offers a calm and supportive space for people who want to better understand themselves and what they’re going through. She works with adults who may feel overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure about the next steps in life, whether they’re dealing with stress, changes, relationship difficulties, or just a general sense that something isn’t quite right.
Having lived in Russia, Germany, Canada, and Singapore, she brings a down-to-earth, culturally sensitive perspective to her work. Sofya believes that therapy is most helpful when it feels like a real conversation where you feel heard, respected, and not judged. Her approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in the belief that small insights can lead to meaningful change.
Specializations
Sofya is particularly interested in supporting clients navigating anxiety, stress, self-esteem issues, life transitions, identity exploration, relationship challenges, childhood trauma and psychosomatic symptoms. She is committed to creating a respectful, inclusive, and supportive environment where clients from all walks of life feel safe to explore their experiences and emotions.
Qualifications and Experience
Sofya has a background in psychology, with a Bachelor of Psychological Science from James Cook University and a recently completed Graduate Certificate in Counselling from Flinders University, where she’s now continuing her Master of Counselling. She has also completed the TA 101 certification in Transactional Analysis and is a member of Transactional Analysis Association Singapore. Sofya is trained in Multichannel Eye Movement Integration (MEMI) therapy method. This structured and neuroscience-informed approach helps clients reprocess and reduce the emotional intensity of traumatic memories in a gentle and safe way.
Alongside her studies, Sofya has worked in a variety of people-focused roles across both community and professional settings. These experiences have helped her develop a calm, grounded approach and a genuine interest in how people think, feel, and relate to others. She brings this curiosity and care into her work with clients, aiming to meet each person with warmth, respect, and an open mind.
Approach to Therapy
Sofya works primarily from a person-centered perspective, offering a collaborative, respectful space grounded in empathy and unconditional positive regard. She integrates elements of Transactional Analysis, including exploring ego states, life scripts, and communication patterns, to help clients better understand their internal dialogue and relational dynamics.
She also draws from Existential Therapy to support clients navigating life transitions, identity questions, and meaning-making, and uses Motivational Interviewing to gently guide clients through ambivalence and toward change. When appropriate, she incorporates tools from Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) to help clients identify what’s already working, set clear goals, and move toward small, meaningful changes.
Sofya also brings mind-body awareness into her work, especially when supporting clients who experience the physical effects of emotional stress or struggle with psychosomatic symptoms. Her goal is to meet clients where they are, help them feel heard and understood, and support them in building insight, self-trust, and emotional resilience.
