Sonya Paul

Sonya Paul is an integrative counsellor and therapist working in private practice at The Awareness Centre. She holds a Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling and is an Accredited Registrant Member of the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS), as well as an Advanced Practitioner Member of Addiction Professionals.

Sonya works with adults experiencing a range of difficulties, including anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, co-dependency, and drug and alcohol addiction. Her integrative approach combines person-centred and psychodynamic therapy, tailored to each client’s individual needs. She offers both short- and longer-term therapy, with appointments available on Saturday mornings.

Sonya offers a warm, grounded and non-judgemental space where clients can feel heard, understood and able to explore difficult experiences at their own pace. She believes the therapeutic relationship is central to meaningful change and works collaboratively with clients to explore the thoughts, feelings, behaviours and patterns that may be affecting their lives. She works with compassion and curiosity, helping clients develop greater self-awareness, emotional resilience and healthier ways of coping.

Before developing her private practice, Sonya worked in management roles within specialist addiction and mental health services. Her experience includes substance misuse and behavioural addictions such as gambling, as well as disordered eating and trauma. She has also supported people experiencing relationship difficulties, grief, stress, burnout and ADHD. She has a particular interest in supporting families affected by addiction, and in understanding how trauma can show up in relationships, self-esteem and identity.

Her experience has given her an understanding of how people can develop coping strategies in response to difficult experiences, and how these can sometimes become unhelpful or difficult to change. She works with adults from diverse backgrounds and is committed to providing an inclusive, respectful and culturally sensitive therapeutic space.