Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Margo Sawires, Psy.D..
Hi Dr. Margo, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Hey San Diego! I’m Dr. Margo Sawires, Psy.D., licensed clinical psychologist & founder of Urban Psych.
I was born in Cairo & immigrated to the US as a young child. In many ways, the “immigrant work ethic” was in my genetic make-up. Throughout my life, I watched my parents work tirelessly to barely make ends meet–all the while embodying a sentiment of gratitude & humbleness, working menial & physically taxing jobs most people wouldn’t.
Coupled with these very vivid experiences was my awareness that I was co-existing in two rather diverse cultures, speaking two very different languages, & struggling to find my place in either of them. This sense of vast overwhelm led me to being the ultimate observer. Early on, I grew fascinated by people, their mannerisms, their varied non-verbals, the subtext of human communication, covert motivations & was endlessly curious about what makes each of us who we are.
Fast forward to my first intro to psychology class in high school–I was met with a school of thought that felt entirely in sync with how I naturally saw the world, my deeper curiosities, & felt like I had finally stumbled upon a potential profession I could be forever passionate about–but could also give me a sense of purpose & greater meaning.
That said, I’ve been a licensed psychologist for nearly 13 years & founded Urban Psych–a modern & thriving group psychotherapy practice in East Village, San Diego.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Every now & again I’ll meet someone new that makes a statement about how “lucky” I am to be where I am in life. Truth is, luck had nothing to do with it.
On the flip side, others have asked, “how did you pull this off?” The honest answer: long-suffering 🙂
In all seriousness, the struggle was real. My parents both had a middle-school education, speak broken English. I was raised on Medi-Cal & foodstamps (the OG kind, not the sleek EBT cards). I had zero fall back, no financial support, no safety net & truthfully, my parents didn’t get the whole “psychology” thing at all. In fact, I was discouraged to move out to pursue my doctorate studies. Instead, the expectation was to marry young, pop out a gazillion babies & attend church mass 4 times/week. Instead, I disappointed them greatly, packed my sh*t, drove to San Diego & signed a very lengthy & confusing promissory note to Sallie Mae. It was happening. I was doing this. They didn’t have to support my dream.
Beyond that, learning how to run a successful psychotherapy practice isn’t something you’re taught in school. It took a combination of working for the man until I figured out some basic logistics, trial & error, asking for help, learning from every unfortunate disappointment & failure (there were MANY!) & having some delusional faith in myself that I could make it happen.
To be honest with you, there are days where I’m STILL in utter disbelief that it all came to fruition. I guess it pays to be headstrong & stubborn about what you want out of this life. I wasn’t willing to take “no” for an answer.
As you know, we’re big fans of URBAN PSYCH. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Urban Psych is a modern, thriving group psychotherapy practice located in the heart of East Village, San Diego. [Right across the street from Petco Park—Go Padres!]
We’re a team of doctorate-level psychotherapists specializing in psychodynamic & psychoanalytic psychotherapy. That means we go beyond surface-level symptom relief to address the deeper roots of psychological distress. Our approach is highly specialized, evidence-based & always tailored to the unique needs of each individual.
We work with a wide range of concerns and offer both in-person & telehealth sessions for teens, adults, seniors, couples, and families (including active-duty military, their families, & veterans). As a practice paneled with most major insurance plans, we’re committed to making high-quality psychological care as accessible as possible.
Our space is designed to feel elevated, comfortable & confidential–while our therapeutic style is genuine, down-to-earth & engaging. Since opening our doors, we’ve been fortunate to serve as a trusted resource for exceptional mental health care in our community.
After all, America’s Finest City deserves the very best of care. We’re honored to support our local community live their very best lives. Truly. Thanks for embracing us. It’s meant more than you know!
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
There have been innumerable lessons along the way & I’m sure more to come. I also think the most simple of life’s lessons tend to be the most powerful…
For me, it was a reminder that most things can be accomplished with relentless tenacity, a stiff upper lip, reasonable judgement & that sort of palpable/visceral hunger that keeps you crawling forward when you’re too exhausted to walk. Truly, no secret sauce. No shortcuts. It’s been a wild ride. I’ve learned so much about myself in the process & wouldn’t change a damn thing. Best wishes to all my aspiring/fellow entrepreneurs out there!
Thanks for having me, San Diego!!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.urbanpsych.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/urbanpsychsd/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-margo-sawires-b5435112/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/margaret-sawires-psyd-san-diego-4?utm_campaign=www_business_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct)
- soundcloud: https://vimeo.com/328981194?share=copy#t=0
- Other: https://www.drsawires.com/
