Sofia Ricaurte

Ricaurte is a second-year master’s student in the Mental Health Counseling program at Teachers College, Columbia University. As a proud member of the Latiné community, she is pursuing the program’s bilingual track, training to provide culturally responsive therapy in both Spanish and English. Ricaurte is currently an intern at a community mental health clinic serving people from the LGBTQIA+ community. Ricaurte earned her B.S. in Psychology from the University of Florida, where she developed a strong foundation and a deep interest in helping the youth. At the University of Florida, she was recognized for her dedication with the Dean's Medal of Excellence. Before beginning graduate school, she volunteered with the 988 Lifeline and contributed to the Adelante Boricua project, a longitudinal study focused on the experiences of Puerto Rican families who relocated to the mainland U.S. after Hurricane María. This work deepened her commitment to serving the Latiné populations with compassion and cultural humility. Ricaurte is passionate about creating inclusive, affirming therapeutic spaces where clients of all backgrounds feel seen, safe, and empowered. Ricaurte has a strong interest in the intersection between culture and sexuality, providing a voice for the underserved youth, and creating more equitable mental health services.