Meet your Therapist
Jewish Advocacy
In addition to my clinical work, I am at the intersection of advocacy, diplomacy, and mental health to combat antisemitism and strengthen Jewish identity. As a board member of the American Jewish Committee, I am engaged in advocacy and diplomatic efforts addressing antisemitism at both local and global levels.
I provide education, training, and consultation for mental health professionals on Jewish identity, antisemitism, and culturally responsive care, and I am the founder and head of
Houston Jewish Therapists, a local chapter of the Jewish Therapists Collective.
Sonia Albin, LPC
I have lived in and outside of Mexico, Houston, Seattle, and Maine, and have felt at home in a number of ecosystems. I’ve held many titles: marine biologist, research scientist, environmental educator, elementary school teacher, farmer, barista…I come from a multi-national, multi-cultural family. When I’m not therapizing, I’m outside with my kiddo and my pets, gardening, writing, moving my body, and goofing off.
I dedicated the first part of my career to connecting with nature through science, outdoor adventure education, and horticulture, while doing my own therapeutic work. Nature has always been part of my healing and how I care for others.
I graduated from the University of Washington and earned my master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of St. Thomas in Houston. I have 8 years of combined experience in eating disorder treatment at the residential, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and outpatient levels of care. My 5 years of private practice experience have included work with trauma surrounding immigration and asylum, complex childhood trauma from primary caregivers, victims of systemic violence, and perinatal trauma. I am fully bilingual in Spanish and speak French and Italian conversationally.
My Approach
I foster a warm environment that allows you to explore your mind and heart with peace. I am not a “blank slate” therapist, meaning that I am genuine, direct, and down to earth in my approach. My promise is to prioritize your well-being, to be honest, and to listen to your intuition so you can, too. My practice is affirming of gender, sexual orientation, religion, race, and culture. I am a safe space to process any experiences of political distress, racism, homophobia, mysoginy, antisemitism, and any other form of systemic hatred.
I incorporate Internal Family Systems, Brainspotting, and Nature, and collaborate with dietitians, physicians, psychiatrists, energy workers, and other therapists as appropriate for a holistic treatment approach.
My work is guided by the values of my Ashkenazi Jewish heritage-
Shalom Bayit- peace in the home, Chesed- loving kindness, and Tikkun Olam- helping and repairing the world.
Meet Nouki, the therapy dog. She joins in sessions sometimes (you can request her, or request not to have her).
Why Kite?
While kites are fun, carefree, and a wonderful metaphor for navigating difficult circumstances peacefully, it’s actually not where the name Kite comes from!
Every summer, Buffalo Bayou gets a visit from a migratory bird, the Mississippi Kite. Kites make their way here all the way from Chile. I am delighted to see and hear them as I work in my spring garden, and to know that our Houston environment is just right for them to thrive. Kites, and other migratory animals, can teach us that finding a place of belonging is key to our survival, growth, and healing from trauma.
