Book signing in Saint Clair a reunion for Dr. Charles J. Sophy, author of 'Family Values'

Nov. 7—SAINT CLAIR — A book signing turned into a reunion for Dr. Charles J. Sophy, who introduced his new book "Family Values" on Saturday evening at Sophy Jewelers in Coal Creek Commerce Center.

In addition to a host of family members, former classmates at Nativity BVM High School turned out to congratulate the author.

Marcee Petchulis Thomas, a classmate at Nativity, described Sophy as a brilliant but humble person.

"He has the drive and desire to do anything," said Thomas, an Orwigsburg resident. "To think that he's gone so far and came back to his coal region roots lets you know what he's made of."

Sophy, 62, a psychiatrist, is the former medical director at the Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services. The office, the largest in the U.S., served about 40,000 youngsters.

He currently has a private practice in child, adolescent and adult psychiatry in Beverly Hills, California.

Sophy has been a frequent guest on the "Dr. Phil" show over the last 20 years, where he has offered parenting advice.

Dr. Phil McGraw wrote the forward for "Family Values," a primer on repairing parent-child relationships.

In "Family Values," his second book, Sophy cites four essential strengths of relationships: trust, shared beliefs, family history and forgiveness.

The Sophy Method, summarized with the acronym SWEEP, is built upon structuring sleep, work, eating, emotion and play in a way that's conducive to harmony within a family.

"I wanted to be able to show people things that they can do right now so they can avoid problems later on," Sophy said in explaining his decision to write the book.

A member of the Class of 1978 at Nativity, Sophy graduated from St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia with a degree in biological sciences in 1982. He graduated from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1986.

He did a residency in adult psychiatry at Norristown State Hospital and, under a fellowship in 1990-92, he practiced child and adolescent psychiatry at Hahnemann University Hospital, Philadelphia.

After introducing the book on the "Dr. Phil" show in early October, Sophy did book signings in Los Angeles and New York. His appearance at Sophy Jewelers, owned by a relative, was his third book signing.

The son of Renee Sophy and the late Charles Sophy, the author grew up in Pottsville. His brother, Dr. Matthew C. Sophy, practices medicine in Port Carbon.

The family is well known as proprietors of the former "Home of Sausage" stand in Renninger's Farmers Market near Orwigsburg.

Dr. Melissa Burke, a friend, had Sophy autograph his book.

"Imagine, that little sausage stand put two boys through medical school," said Burke, a Pottsville dentist.

Renee Sophy, 90, a Port Carbon resident, attended her son's book signing.

"He enjoyed high school," she said, "but he really buckled down at St. Joe's and Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine."

In 2010, Sophy published his first book, "Side By Side," which dealt with mother-daughter relationships.

Jeanette Sophy, a cousin, recalled how as a 5-year-old he could read the advertising signs on the interior of an East Penn Co. bus.

"He was always very smart," she said. "You knew he was going to go somewhere."

Among others, Sophy recounted high school experiences with classmates Kay Anne Barber, Lisa Hoynoski and Bernadette Sorokach.

Sophy confided that, like some others, he couldn't wait to get out of Schuylkill County after graduating from high school.

Over time, though, he has come to realize that growing up in Pottsville gave him a solid foundation with which to approach life.

"It was a very grounding experience that gave me a good solid foundation," he said. "I could always rely on the core values I learned in Pottsville."

Sophy will return to California, but come back to New York for an appearance on "The Drew Barrymore Show" on Nov. 30.

"Family Values" is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, in bookstores and at Sophy Jewelers.

Contact the writer: rdevlin@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6007