Therapists in Mission Viejo, CA

Working as a psychotherapist has been the greatest privilege of my life. I feel honored to bear witness to my client's life story and be a part of their journey to make positive and meaningful changes. I am committed to providing a safe and empathic space to help clients increase insight, explore attachment wounds, improve coping and move closer to the life they deserve to live.

As a marital and family therapist with 24 years of experience, I have helped countless families, individuals, and couples through major struggles with anxiety, depression, stress, communication issues and trauma.

As a certified Emotionally Focused Couples Therapist, I practice EFT - empirically validated therapy informed by cutting-edge neuroscience. When we meet, you will find that I have profound respect for you and do my best to support you by facilitating felt change via human relationship. I also support individuals experiencing relational distress, anxiety, depression, issues around sexuality and spirituality. I also use mindfulness to help clients access a deeper level of being and feel honored to have the privilege of facilitating healing.

I am extremely good at working with teens, MFT interns who are looking to do some interpersonal work while gaining their 3000 hrs., blended families, divorce Recovery, Drug and Alcohol abuse/use, Gay and Lesbian, grief and loss, as well as Parent/Child Conflicts. I enjoy working with the above clients as well as receiving the internal benefits of watching my clients grow. I receive a "natural high" by working with and helping clients find their true selves. I believe the work I do help my clients enrich their personal and relational growth s well as enhance their emotional healing.

Nobody is broken. We all have challenges and areas where we need to grow, and it takes bravery to face those aspects of ourselves that require growth. Being truly seen and truly heard make a world of difference in accelerating that process. I have over 20 years' experience and am adept at holding space with empathy, love, and compassion. My style is sincere, warm, and engaging with a facility for attuning to my clients and their struggles. I’m here to shine light with you and to provide a safe container to express and experience what needs to be seen, felt, or released. I also offer clinical supervision to therapist interns.

Are you struggling with relationship or personal issues? I invite you to schedule a free consultation so I can help you discover tools for better communication and emotional health. Therapy is not a one-size-fits-all, let me assess what is going on for you and learn about the areas of stress in your life. I use a variety of methods, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Relaxation/Guided Imagery and Emotionally Focused Therapy for couples and families. I also specialize in grief, anxiety, blended families and co-parenting issues as a certified Parenting with Love and Logic Facilitator.

I am currently accepting new clients. Are you ready to embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery & renewal by unlocking your inner strength, embracing authenticity, overcoming challenges, & rediscovering joy? I empower my clients to live authentically, be vulnerable, and demonstrate resilience by sharing their story. I specialize in working with children, adolescents, young adults, & families who are struggling with anxiety, depression, codependency, relationship difficulties, life transitions, grief, & burnout. I support my clients to help them understand their unique strengths & abilities to restore hope & healing.

Are you looking for a therapist who is passionate about helping you deal effectively with your life and your relationships? Together, we will evaluate where you are and where you want to be. We can work with issues of anxiety, stress, life transitions, and relationship challenges, I collaborate with you on setting reasonable and attainable goals. Hopefully, you will see results pretty quickly so you know you are on the right path. I will be by your side helping you to move gently towards living your best life, gaining confidence with every step you take.

Our lives consist of an intricate balance of family obligations, the demands of our careers, and keeping up with our social lives. ‘Wellness’ is the active process of becoming aware of making choices toward a healthy life. If you are feeling anxious, depressed, or overwhelmed, therapy is the place to be.

Do you feel like past wounds are preventing you from moving forward? Perhaps you have a difficult time understanding why you continue to repeat unhealthy behaviors or feel ashamed for not living up to your own or others' expectations. You probably feel a mixture of emotions: motivated to change, but afraid of feeling uncomfortable and vulnerable. Maybe you doubt your ability to change or question if talking about painful issues can actually help you feel better. Having these thoughts and feelings is a normal part of the growth process.

Accepting clients in person & video. I provide a comfortable, accepting place where you can gain insights and specific skills to help you feel your best. Often we have deep beliefs about ourselves that can hold us back. Our systems can become overloaded with the stress of modern life. I can help you develop a plan to achieve your goals, have more confidence, & feel more at ease. We are an energy system that can learn to better regulate itself and experience more tranquility, joy, and happiness & better manage sadness and anxiety. I use a variety of research based techniques that I tailor to your needs and preferences.

Making the decision to begin therapy can be a difficult choice…life is filled with ups and downs, and sometimes we just need a little extra support. That’s where I come in, my name is Sonja and I’m here to help you through the journey of life. I believe in taking a client-centered approach to therapy and helping each individual client with their personal needs and goals. I take great pride in providing an environment which creates a safe and trusting experience for my clients. I also believe in creating a healthy therapeutic relationship together which empowers my clients and helps them live an overall healthy and happier life.

I am an energetic, compassionate, and faith based therapist, who engages in an eclectic approach to therapy. I believe in emotional healing, emotional stability, and goal setting to help my clients navigate an amazing life. I will provide strength based therapeutic approaches tailored to your needs, and what will work best for you. Together we will develop a treatment plan that when implemented, will enable you to create success in any area of your life, and eliminate what is currently unhealthy or toxic. My main therapeutic approaches are with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, and Behavior Modification.

I am an Attachment based therapist well versed with severe levels of trauma, anxiety and depression due to family systems, addiction, adoption or other struggles. I have over 20 years experience as a dancer and dance studio owner from which I draw upon for a creative, integrative approach in therapy and fresh approach to understanding my clients. I am also fortunate enough to work collaborately with another therapist and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners to provide wraparound services for clients all in our beautiful office space. I believe in exploring all avenues and taking innovative approaches in therapy to aid the client in healing and personal growth.

Have you looked at your life lately and thought that maybe your life hasn’t turned out the way you thought it would be? Or maybe you’ve “checked all the boxes” but you still feel numb, disconnected, anxious or depressed? Maybe you are growing your family, and no one told you becoming a mother would be so difficult. But the fact is, life can be hard. Really hard. And sometimes we need help navigating our thoughts, feelings and experiences.

Are you struggling with feeling like you're not enough and expending energy trying to hide this fear from others? Do you have the same pattern of conflict playing out with your partner? Do you feel disconnected from yourself and those around you? This can lead to feeling anxious and depressed. By isolating ourselves and minimizing our voice and needs, personal relationships begin to suffer and become less satisfying. Have you tried to "fix", escape, or numb these thoughts and feelings.... only to realize it doesn't work, or at least not for very long.

Welcome to my practice. I have been in practice since 2007 and have been featured on ABC, NBC, and KCAL as an expert psychologist. I work primarily with men who have hit “rock bottom” and would like help getting up. These men are often in crisis when we first meet. The issues I address are typically related to unhealthy sexual behaviors, infidelity, financial recklessness, gambling, drugs/alcohol, dishonesty/lying, and relational conflicts. My therapy approach is a combination of psychoanalytic, cognitive-behavioral, and the 12-Step recovery model. I also share insight from my own painful but redemptive recovery journey.

A fulfilling life - sounds great...but is that really possible? Often times, life circumstances, difficulty managing emotions, or faulty thought patterns can keep us from feeling truly alive. Entering therapy may be a big undertaking but the rewards can be immeasurable!

Whether you are facing anxiety, depression or relationship issues, my goal is to work with you to reach your personal goals in a safe environment. I am passionate about what I do. I know what it is like to walk alone without guidance. Quality counseling can change your life and perspectives. I can help you overcome your pain and find the new purpose of your life. If you are looking for a counselor who can truly empathize what you are going through and understand your cultural background with top notch professional knowledge and experience, I am here to help you.