SONIA’S PROFILE

I am a Psychosexual and Relationship Therapist and have over 30 years’ of experience working in Health and Social Care, over twenty years of which were in Child Protection and Substance Use. I have worked with many children and adults with multiple complex issues and trauma, including sexual abuse and neglect. I have specialised in working with trauma over the years and feel this is an area that I am passionate about. Working in those fields has helped me to be the therapist I am today. I know that by giving people time and space to be curious has positive results. I currently work as a Psychosexual Therapist in the NHS too, in a Female Sexual Function clinic in the Clinical Health Psychology Department.

I like to use an integrative approach to therapy, using different methods and styles to suit the needs of my clients. I include my clients in the plan for therapy once their assessment is done, and we review regularly and change things if required. We can be creative in sessions, including doing things like somatic work, grounding techniques, drawing, timelines etc, whatever works for you to help you move forward. I aim to make you feel safe and secure so that you can explore what is going on for you in the here and now, but I also look at past experiences and strategies/patterns of behaviour. I enjoy working with individuals and couples and have experience working with people who are navigating many different things, such as intimacy, issues relating to other health conditions, LGBTQ+ and HIV/AIDS.

I have knowledge and experience working with women who are going through menopause either naturally or forced due to health issues. This can be a very difficult period in a woman’s life, so I feel it is important to have support from someone who can provide up-to-date and relevant information. I belong to Menopause Networks, which includes consultants and clinicians, which helps me keep up to date with any new evidence and advice. Some of the effects of going through menopause can be pain during sex, and loss of desire/arousal which can also impact your partner with things like erectile dysfunction. Some of the ways I would support you would be by providing you with knowledge about your anatomy, suggesting techniques that will help, and doing mind and body work so that the two become reconnected in a safe way. I can also work with you as a couple to navigate this stage in your life.

My aim during therapy is to help you feel that it is possible to make changes and that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I use compassion to help you to remain motivated and see all the positive things you are doing. I am available for in-person and online therapy.

Sonia offers a complimentary 10-minute Intro Call, giving you the opportunity to ask questions, discuss your needs and decide whether they’re the right fit before booking your first appointment. Simply select Book Session to view available Intro Call appointments.

Qualifications:

• Postgraduate Diploma in Psychosexual and Relationship Therapy
• Masters Module in Trauma Informed Practice
• Adult Attachment Interview
• MCOSRT

Specialisms:

• ADHD and autism if linked to relationships or sex/intimacy
• Arousal difficulties
• Attachment issues
• Body Dysmorphia
• Body image
• Childbirth trauma
• Communication Difficulties
• Compulsive/Problematic Sexual Behaviours inc. Porn
• Confidence in sex and relationships
• Conscious uncoupling
• Consensual Non-Monogomy (CNM)
• Couple Separation
• Couples & Relationships inc. Opposite/Same-sex and Multiple partners
• Couples therapy
• Cross-cultural relationships
• Dating and navigating new relationships
• Difference in Desire within Relationship
• Ejaculation issues inc. Delayed/ Rapid/ Retrograde
• Enhancing relationships
• Erectile Dysfunction
• Exploring/Understanding Fetishes, Fantasies and Kink
• Faith, culture, and sex
• Fear of intimacy and/or sex avoidant
• First Time Sex
• Gender transitioning
• Infertility
• Infidelity
• Kink/Fetishes
• LGBTQIA+ GSRD
• LGBTQIA+ Sexual Orientation and or Gender Identity
• Low/no desire incl. peri/menopause
• Marital and premarital counselling
• Menopause
• Neurodivergent experiences of sex & relationships
• Open Relationships, Consensual Non-monogamy (CNM), Polyamory
• Orgasm issues e.g. anorgasmia, premature or delayed ejaculation
• Painful penetration including Vaginismus, Vulvodynia, Dyspareunia
• Performance anxiety
• Premature Ejaculation
• Recovering from Abusive Relationships
• Relationship issues including infidelity, conflict and communication
• Sex workers
• Sexual compulsivity, including problematic porn use
• Sexual diversity including LGBTQIA+
• Sexual dysfunctions including arousal difficulties
• Sexual pain and vaginismus
• Sexual pain including Vaginismus, Vulvodynia, Dyspareunia
• Sexual Trauma and Emotional Abuse/ Assault
• Sexuality and Gender
• Understanding fetishes and kinks