Sonia Clarke, BACP

Sonia Clarke offers a warm, empathic presence aimed at helping people make changes without pressure or judgement. She supports clients who feel overwhelmed, lost, helpless or distressed, helping them navigate anxiety, stress and phobias as part of everyday life. Sonia recognises that asking for help can feel difficult and that some concerns are sensitive or complex and hard to share with family or friends.

She provides a safe and personal space where clients can explore feelings and choices, deepen self-understanding and work toward practical steps to enhance life experience. Counselling and psychotherapy with Sonia focuses on learning, healing and growth, and she has particular experience working with people who present with phobias and anxiety - whether fears are specific, such as spiders, snakes or holes, or broader fears about life in general.

Sonia trained as an Integrative Counsellor and holds a Level 5 Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy - a qualification in CBT at diploma level. She is an Accredited Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and works within their code of ethics. She also holds a BPS approved Certificate in Supervision and receives regular supervision in line with BACP guidelines, reflecting her commitment to ongoing professional development.

She typically works in an integrative way, drawing on Cognitive Behavioural, psychodynamic and humanistic theories to tailor support to each person. Prior to her private practice, Sonia was Clinical Manager for a local mental health charity, Mind, where she managed the counselling service and supervised a team of 14 counsellors.

Therapeutic approaches and online sessions with Sonia Clarke

Sonia regularly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help people identify unhelpful thinking and behaviour patterns and develop practical strategies to manage symptoms. CBT is often useful for anxiety, phobias, low mood and stress because it focuses on changing thoughts and actions to bring measurable improvements.

She also works with Solution-Focused Therapy, which concentrates on strengths, resources and small, achievable steps toward clients' goals. This approach is helpful for people seeking concrete change, direction during life transitions, or tools to cope with immediate problems.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process and Sonia collaborates with each person to determine what fits best based on their needs, goals and preferences. Registered professionals and therapists often combine methods to suit the individual, and Sonia tailors her work to priority issues presented in sessions.

Online therapy with Sonia is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat or text-based messaging, making it easier to access support around work, family and other commitments. These options provide flexibility, reduce the need for travel and allow people to engage in therapy from locations that work for them while maintaining continuity of care.