The SOFIA course at Kyra is a focused, four-week program designed to help women better understand and manage anxiety. Through tools and techniques rooted in solutions-focused approaches, SOFIA empowers members to navigate their anxiety in a safe, comfortable environment.
In this post, we’ll look at what SOFIA offers, how this course supports women, and why it’s especially valuable given the unique challenges many women face with anxiety.
Why SOFIA Is Needed
Studies show that women are twice as likely to be diagnosed with anxiety than men, often because women face unique pressures, such as:
- Increased exposure to social pressures: Issues like body image and societal expectations around how to look and act
- Balancing multiple roles: The demands of caregiving and career responsibilities, and the expectation to “have it all”
- Higher likelihood of experiencing abuse: Women are more likely to experience physical and mental abuse, which have strong links to anxiety disorders
- Specific life stages: Events like pregnancy, postnatal changes, and menopause can elevate levels of anxiety
Our SOFIA course provides targeted support to address these unique challenges, equipping women with effective tools to manage their anxiety.
What is the SOFIA Course?
SOFIA is a 4-week program designed to help women manage anxiety, with small groups of 10-12 members meeting for two hours each week.
The course was devised by Julie Meakin, a qualified hypnotherapist specialising in anxiety and depression. SOFIA is run by various skilled staff members and volunteers at Kyra.
Each session guides members through a range of activities, including calming breathing exercises, grounding techniques, and positive mindset practices. These exercises are crafted to create calm and promote greater self-awareness, helping women to better understand and manage their anxiety.
Weekly Breakdown of SOFIA Topics
Week One – Understanding Anxiety: Members start by learning how anxiety forms in the brain and gain insight into various types of anxiety, such as Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD), social anxiety, and phobias.
This foundational knowledge helps to normalise the member’s experiences and sets the stage for practical solutions.
Week Two – Thinking Patterns: The focus shifts to recognising automatic thoughts and understanding how they influence anxiety. Members explore ways to identify and disrupt these negative patterns, making room for healthier mental habits.
Week Three – Changing Anxious Thoughts: This week covers neural pathways and introduces mindfulness techniques to gradually shift anxious thought patterns.
Members learn how small mental adjustments can reshape their responses and reduce anxiety.
Week Four – Building a Positive Future: The course concludes with tools to build a more positive mindset, including boosting serotonin, crafting affirmations, and setting realistic goals to help sustain a calmer outlook.
How SOFIA Helps Members Manage Anxiety
SOFIA’s approach is all about looking forward, helping members to build a positive future rather than dwelling on past experiences. By focusing on solutions, SOFIA encourages women to gain control over their anxiety, helping them develop a toolkit for managing anxious moments as they arise.
Each week, members receive practical handouts that recap the day’s lessons and provide guidance for applying these skills at home. Small weekly tasks are also introduced to give members a chance to reflect on their own experiences and try out their new techniques in real-life situations.
Support Kyra’s Mission Through SOFIA
SOFIA is more than just a course—it’s an opportunity for women to manage their anxiety in a supportive, practical setting. Whether you’re a member seeking growth, a funder looking to make an impact, or a volunteer eager to contribute, there are many ways to support SOFIA and Kyra’s mission.
We welcome donations, partnerships, and volunteer involvement to keep programs like SOFIA going strong.
For more details or to get involved, contact us at contact@kyra.org.uk.
