From Ke Restaurant to PhD: Maria Sancho’s Journey Back to Sotogrande

Dr. Maria Sancho, founder of MS Psychology Center in Sotogrande, joins the Charlie & Sotogrande Podcast to share her journey from growing up in a family hospitality business to becoming a clinical psychologist and completing a 7-year PhD on adolescent brain development.In this inspiring conversation, Maria talks about her childhood in 1990s Sotogrande, studying and working around the world, building a thriving psychology practice at home, and tackling modern mental health challenges like emotional isolation, parenting, and the impact of technology on children.Whether you’re a parent, educator, mental health professional, or simply curious about personal growth, this episode is packed with insight on wellbeing, community, and living a meaningful life.Timestamps0:00 – Maria’s Biggest Life Achievement – Completing a 7-year PhD on adolescent brain development0:39 – Introducing the Charlie & Sotogrande Podcast – Meet Dr. Maria Sancho1:45 – Growing Up in Sotogrande – Family roots and a strong community connection3:02 – Life Inside K Restaurant – Childhood memories in a hospitality family4:46 – Choosing Psychology Over Hospitality – Following a passion for the mind7:26 – 1990s Sotogrande Childhood – Freedom, safety, and creative schooling8:44 – From Sotogrande to the World – Boarding schools, university, and global experience9:15 – Why Psychology? – A lifelong curiosity about human behavior12:33 – Global Work Experience – From prisons in Uruguay to diverse communities13:57 – Inside the PhD Research – How upbringing shapes mental health17:40 – Building a Practice at Home – Why Maria returned to Sotogrande19:43 – MS Psychology Center Today – Services, growth, and the team22:09 – Future Goals – Teaching, research, and community impact23:28 – Life Beyond Work – Hobbies, nature, and self-care28:28 – Technology, Kids & Mental Health – Balancing risks and connectionKeywords:psychology podcast, mental health, parenting tips, personal growth, emotional wellbeing, work life balance, technology and kids, adolescent brain development, Sotogrande Spain, mental health in Spain, building a psychology practice, mindfulness and journaling, emotional intelligence, expat life Spain, Maria Sancho Sotogrande, K Restaurant Sotogrande history, MS Psychology Center, Sotogrande lifestyle, therapy in Sotogrande, international school Sotogrande, Sotogrande community stories#PsychologyPodcast #MentalHealthMatters #Sotogrande #ParentingTips #Mindfulness #Wellbeing #LifeInSpain #EmotionalIntelligence #PersonalGrowth #TherapyLife #AdolescentDevelopment #ExpatLifeSpainCONNECT WITH CHARLIE!📲 Mobile +34 607 911 661✉️ Email: [email protected]🔗 Website: https://charlesgubbins.com/STAY CONNECTED!📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charlieinsotogrande/👤 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/charlieinsotogrande👨‍💻 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/charliegubbins🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nollsotogrande🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/charliegubbins📱 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@charlesgubbins