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I am a clinical psychologist with over 23 years of clinical experience. I have provided therapy in juvenile justice, residential treatment and currently Veterans. I have experience treating mood disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma, women’s issues and substance abuse.
I primarily approach therapy from a cognitive behavioral perspective. I seek to help clients understand how unhelpful thinking patterns prompt negative emotions and keep a person stuck and unrecovered. I see therapy as an opportunity to help my client identify the roots of unhelpful thinking patterns, identify opportunities for change and engage in the work of modifying behaviors that often lead to distress. The best quality of life for my client is the overarching treatment goal.
I see the therapeutic process as a safe and supportive environment in which negative cycles may be broken. I work hard to establish a therapeutic relationship through compassion and genuine feedback. Therapy is a collaborative endeavor and I appreciate the honor of walking this journey with those in pain. I love what I do!
Additional areas of focus:Addictions, LGBT, Relationship issues, Family conflicts, Intimacy-related issues, Coping with life changes, Abandonment, Aging and geriatric issues, Caregiver issues and stress, Chronic pain, illness, and disability, Co-morbidity, Codependency, Commitment issues, Communication problems, Control issues, Coping with natural or human-caused disaster, Divorce and separation, Family of origin issues, Family problems, Forgiveness, Guilt and shame, Infidelity, Isolation / loneliness, Life purpose, Veteran and Armed Forces Issues, Mood disorders, Multicultural concerns, Panic disorder and panic attacks, Postpartum depression, Post-traumatic stress, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Self-love, Sexual assault and abuse, Social anxiety and phobia, Women's issues
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Dr. Sonya Medina. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
Thanks for everything. I appreciate you being there for me when I was struggling. You are helping me to understand myself and helping me. Figure out who I am again. I was lost when I started talking to you. Things aren't easy for me at the moment, but getting a job is helping keep a roof over my head. Talking about things helps me finally let go of my past to move forward. I am learning about myself in general, which helps me talk to God. I know things are going to get better. Just by taking one a day at a time
Written on Aug 17, 2023 after therapy with Sonya for 4 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, grief, and coping with life changes
Dr. Smith is a fantastic therapist! She helped me get through a very complex matter in my life, which I am incredibly grateful for. Her faith-based perspective was something, I greatly appreciated and valued throughout our sessions.
Written on Dec 03, 2022 after therapy with Sonya for 1 year and 1 month on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, career difficulties, and coping with life changes
She's extremely helpful and insightful. She's very easy to talk to. She has truly changed my previous opinions about therapy.
Written on Sep 12, 2022 after therapy with Sonya for 5 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family conflicts, parenting issues, anger management, and bipolar disorder
Dr. Smith is a true master of her craft; which was very hesitant to go to therapy and had no idea what to expect my first therapist I matched with was not a goood fit but Dr. Smith has been amazing. She listens, she challenges me and she provides constructive and easy to understand perspectives that I might not have otherwise considered when facing challenges. I’d recommend her services with out a doubt and have come to realize this is what therapy should look like and it is no wonder why so many people swear by it.
Written on Jul 06, 2022 after therapy with Sonya for 11 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, grief, intimacy-related issues, parenting issues, self esteem, and coping with life changes
Dr. Smith is very empathetic and human in every way possible when it comes to relational intelligence. Most often therapist lose their han connection because of what they do making it difficult for me as a patient to be comfortable sharing with them. But Dr. Smith is empathetic, pays attention and asks the right questions to help answer questions I didn't even know I was asking myself. She makes me think about my situation and what could have led me to come to the conclusions I made all while ensuring that I know she hears me and understands me first as a person and then as a professional helping me navigate the issues I'm facing.
Written on Apr 15, 2022 after therapy with Sonya for 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, and trauma and abuse
She talks to me like a friend. I find this feeling of bestfriend support from her despite it being timed. I have no words to describe how thankful i am for her.
Written on Apr 05, 2022 after therapy with Sonya for 4 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, and adhd
Dr. smith has been wonderful. I feel like I am actually being heard, and he suggestions are very helpful.
Written on Jan 20, 2022 after therapy with Sonya for 2 months on issues concerning depression, and stress, anxiety
Very Empathic
Written on Jan 14, 2022 after therapy with Sonya for 3 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, depression, self esteem, relationship issues, family conflicts, coping with life changes, trauma and abuse, adhd, anger management, intimacy-related issues, career difficulties, grief, sleeping disorders, eating disorders, addictions, com
I can’t explain the respect I have for Dr. Smith. I had to leave therapy for a few months and as soon as I came back I had no questions or thoughts I wanted to see her again. She listens, gives useful and feasible advice. She helps you attain those small goals that will ultimately get you to your end goal in life, self, or whatever it is you need to get to. I will be with her for a while but I am so thankful for her and her knowledge and just how personable she is. It feels like I’m talking to a great friend who has so much insight on how to help guide you but doesn’t push either. You take your time and she will be there with you the whole way.
Written on Nov 23, 2021 after therapy with Sonya for 10 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, lgbt, relationship issues, parenting issues, self esteem, anger management, and coping with life changes
Dr. Smith’s approach is grounded and logical, which is something I truly appreciate. My hesitancy toward therapy was the impression that it would be “syrupy”, and I know now that it doesn’t have to be. I feel strongly that BetterHelp matched me with the right partner for the journey.
Written on Nov 20, 2021 after therapy with Sonya for 2 weeks on issues concerning relationship issues
Great fit! She is easy to talk to, no judgement only a whole lot of help!
Written on Oct 19, 2021 after therapy with Sonya for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, grief, eating disorders, sleeping disorders, coping with life changes, and compassion fatigue
I had strong reservations when I first signed up for Betterhelp, but Sonya quickly eased my worries. Sonya was actually my first paired therapist and I honestly couldn't ask for a better therapist to talk to. I feel like I'm talking to that really cool teacher from highschool that would check in on you after class to make sure you understood the material.
I love how organic and laid back our conversations are, and even when it got into touchy subjects I never felt like I was being judged and that's a really big thing for me. I would highly recommend Sonya to anyone, take that from a first time app user/therapy client who was on the fence with therapy in the first place
Written on Sep 22, 2021 after therapy with Sonya for 2 months on issues concerning relationship issues, grief, intimacy-related issues, and coping with life changes
Dr. Smith is very understanding. She takes the time to wholeheartedly listen to concerns and provide helpful tips and solutions to help cope with various challenges and situations.
Written on Sep 11, 2021 after therapy with Sonya for 7 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, anger management, coping with life changes, compassion fatigue, and adhd
The most incredible therapist! I can’t even explain how much growth and change I’ve had because of her guidance. She is truly a kind hearted therapist who really takes time to invest in her clients.
Written on Sep 10, 2021 after therapy with Sonya for 7 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, eating disorders, and self esteem
Dr. Smith has been such an amazing therapist. I have been able to truly breakthrough in a lot of areas during the past few months. I am really glad to work with her. I continue to grow and make progress.
Written on Aug 03, 2021 after therapy with Sonya for 5 months
I chose Dr. Smith as a counselor and was so impressed with her ability to recognize my issues and help me structure an idea of what I needed and a plan. She doesn't sugarcoat things but is fair and honest. She listened with care and grace. There was zero judgment of my situation nor did I feel the need to explain things to her. She got it and supported me. I am truly grateful for the sessions I have had with her and her expertise. Her sessions are a bright spot in my week and I end them feeling much lighter and supported.
Written on Jul 31, 2021 after therapy with Sonya for 4 weeks
Very professional and has helped me a lot over the last couple of weeks
Written on Jun 02, 2021 after therapy with Sonya for 3 weeks
Dr. Smith was exactly what I needed to start my counseling journey. I was hesitant to start out of fear, but she quickly made me feel comfortable and proved that she genuinely cared over and over. I would recommend her without reservation to anyone who needs alto be heard and healed. I can’t thank her enough for the impact she has made on my life in only a few months!!
Written on May 15, 2021 after therapy with Sonya for 4 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, grief, parenting issues, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, and coaching
Dr.Smith is great! She’s understanding, knowledgeable, informative, and supportive. I highly recommend her and BetterHelp. Just what I needed! I feel so grateful.
Written on May 06, 2021 after therapy with Sonya for 3 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, and parenting issues
Dr. Smith is wonderful. She makes me feel comfortable enough to speak freely without feeling judged and gives me different methods and tools to deal with whatever is going on in my life in a healthy way. Very sweet genuine soul.
Written on Apr 30, 2021 after therapy with Sonya for 3 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, self esteem, and coping with life changes
She's excellent. I would recommend her services to anyone.
Written on Mar 28, 2021 after therapy with Sonya for 3 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, and coping with life changes
Dr. Smith is very intuitive, calming and has a great demeanor. She is so easy to talk to and I’m glad I found her!
Written on Mar 26, 2021 after therapy with Sonya for 1 month on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, and career difficulties
So far my sessions with Dr. Smith are going great. She gives me multiple perspectives to think about and gives me tasks to work on. I can tell she really cares about my outcome.
Written on Jan 26, 2021 after therapy with Sonya for 2 weeks on issues concerning relationship issues
I've only had two sessions with Sonya so far and we've already covered so many of the topics I wanted to touch on. I almost immediately felt comfortable enough to tell her things even my closest friends don't know. She's an incredible confidant and helps me feel like I truly am in a safe space when we speak. She's smart, insightful, and I feel lucky to have been paired with her.
Written on Jan 06, 2021 after therapy with Sonya for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, grief, and intimacy-related issues
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