SONYA
ADHD & ASD THERAPIST
PARENTING SUPPORT
YOUNG PEOPLE & TEEN SPECIALIST
LGBTQI/NON BINARY SUPPORT
DIAGNOSED ASD, DIAGNOSED COMBINED ADHD
Sonya’s epiphany came after years of working supporting children and young people with ADHD and ASD in schools.
As a mum of three teenagers with ADHD and ASD, she began to recognise that she experienced all the same traits and symptoms and finally had her lightbulb moment, realising she too had the same conditions.
Sonya had initially been labelled as ‘highly gifted’ at school yet her undiagnosed ADHD and ASD prevented her from reaching her potential. As a result, she could not meet school life’s demands and routines. But as a young adult, she managed to find work and complete her education in evening classes.
Sonya rose through the ranks and became a successful IT Manager before becoming a full-time mother.
When Sonya had her first daughter, it soon became apparent that her daughter had ASD. Then, when her twins were born two years later, history repeated itself, with both twins having ASD & ADHD.
Sonya learned as much as she could to best support her wonderful girls, attending courses and lectures to understand how to support their sometimes-challenging behaviour.
These skills were soon further utilised when Sonya took up work as a Learning Support Assistant. Her compassion, drive to support and desire to be the voice for children labelled as ‘naughty’ or ‘different’ became a mission.
Sonya had seen many times how her children had been let down by the education system, with schools refusing to support or understand her bright-minded girls. In the work environment, she witnessed schools failing children again. So she made sure that she shared her skills with colleagues and became a positive voice who advocated for the rights and needs of children.
Sonya navigated the EHCP system for her daughter, putting in many hours to secure the support the school had told her “she would never get”. As a result, her daughter became the first child to attend a highly selective grammar school with an EHCP. She proved that all children with ASD and ADHD have a right to feel supported and deserve a chance to shine.
After many years working as an LSA and Pastoral Carer in schools, Sonya pursued a Psychology degree, receiving distinctions and a DipHE in Psychology. Despite the challenges of her own conditions, Sonya continues to work towards her dissertation, using techniques that suit a neurodivergent mind.
Counselling has been a real passion and took up a whole year of her degree. Sonya also has completed training in Counselling Skills and Understanding Mental Health in children and young people.
Sonya volunteered as a Crisis Counsellor for SHOUT – a mental health text line service to help young people in crisis. There she helped people deal with bereavement, stress, suicidal ideation and many other issues.
Sonya has worked with children as young as four up to teenage years and has a strong affinity with adults of all ages. ADHD and ASD are her areas of expertise. She also has first-hand experience with eating disorders, stress, self-harm, depression and LGBTQ+ / gender identity issues through her children and life experiences.
Sonya is very supportive and understanding and firmly believes there are ‘no bad children’, just behaviours that result from a lack of support and understanding.
With a wealth of knowledge to share, Sonya is passionate about supporting parents, mentoring and working with young people and adults – always tailoring her support to each individual.
Sonya equally supports adults with ADHD and ASD as she can offer personal insights into living with and managing both conditions in a study environment, workplace and family dynamic. In addition, couples/ family therapy are provided for those needing support as a couple or to support their children.
Well-being and fulfilment of potential are at the forefront of all Sonya does; with a listening ear, genuine warmth and extensive first-hand experience to share, clients will always feel understood and validated.
Qualifications
- Psychology, Diploma of Higher Education 2022
- CertHE Psychology (Distinction) 2000
- NCFE Level 3 Diploma in Supporting Teaching and Learning
- NCFE Level 2 Certificate Counselling Skills
- NCFE Level 2 Certificate Understanding Children and Young People’s Mental Health
Current Training & CPD
- BSc (Hons) Psychology (final year)
- Supporting English as an Additional Language
- SHOUT Crisis Counsellor 2019
- Zones of Regulation
- Black Sheep and Time To Talk Communication Therapy
- Musical Communication Therapy
See what Sonya’s previous clients have said …
Sonya is the best therapist I have had. I have been in therapy for 12 years and seen a total of 10 therapists (Sonya included).
When speaking to Sonya I feel like I am speaking to a friend I have known for years. I don’t feel the need to mask or hide who I am to get her to like me (which I have done with other therapists).
Sonya just gets me and helps me find solutions to problems I have. I look forward to our sessions, knowing that I will come away with new knowledge and skills to implement into my life to make things easier.
Sonya is kind, caring, compassionate and friendly. I have spent 39 years feeling like I was a failure and lazy, and that I was the only one. Sonya has made me feel less alone. She makes me feel comfortable to open up and confident to celebrate my neurodivergence. Making the choice to find someone who is also neurodivergent was one of the best decisions of my life.
Thank you SO much for me and my daughter’s session today – it was lovely to meet you, and we both found the session very helpful. Sammy was really happy afterwards. I think she really valued talking to someone who clearly ‘got’ her.
She had a few therapy sessions with a non-ADHD therapist a couple of months ago, which were helpful to an extent, but which Sammy also found a bit frustrating, as the therapist didn’t really seem to understand the problems she was having. We’re very grateful to have found you!
B seems very happy and really looks forward to seeing you, which is just fantastic!!!
He’s even talking about getting a job !! I can’t tell you how amazing that is; We weren’t even sure if he was going to survive this past year it’s been so bad; so now we are all starting to see a future ahead for him.
Thank you very much for your part in that, the coaching has started to give him confidence in who he is, which is what we all need, is it not?
I’m so pleased we found you!!
I have been searching for effective help for my lovely teenage daughter for over 5 years. We/ she has seen 2 psychiatrists, 3 psychologists and 4 therapists. All with good intentions but my gorgeous daughter has only got worse in this time.
Finally my friend’s friend recommended Headstuff, my friend sent me a link on a Wednesday. That evening, I filled in their form not expecting a response at all or not one for several weeks like so many times before.
The next morning at 07.30 I had a response from Sonya. Not only did she respond but I knew from her email I had finally found our angel who was actually going to help us. I felt that not only did she have a great desire to help but also that she actually had the knowledge to help.
I felt so relieved my tears wouldn’t stop leaking for hours.
I’ve now had two sessions and Sonya is shining a very bright light to our future and showing us the way. Every question I ask she knows the answer and every time it’s like a lightbulb.
Sonya is super kind and has great insight and knowledge. Sonya there are no words to how grateful I am. Thank you to Headstuff too.
Sonya was excellent at putting both me and my daughter at ease.
She engaged brilliantly with my daughter, whilst remaining professional and focused on the ADHD pre-assessment.
She was thorough, patient and friendly. We couldn’t have asked for a better experience.
SONYA
ADHD & ASD THERAPIST
PARENTING SUPPORT
YOUNG PEOPLE & TEEN SPECIALIST
LGBTQI/NON BINARY SUPPORT
DIAGNOSED ASD, DIAGNOSED COMBINED ADHD
Sonya’s epiphany came after years of working supporting children and young people with ADHD and ASD in schools.
As a mum of three teenagers with ADHD and ASD, she began to recognise that she experienced all the same traits and symptoms and finally had her lightbulb moment, realising she too had the same conditions.
Sonya had initially been labelled as ‘highly gifted’ at school yet her undiagnosed ADHD and ASD prevented her from reaching her potential. As a result, she could not meet school life’s demands and routines. But as a young adult, she managed to find work and complete her education in evening classes.
Sonya rose through the ranks and became a successful IT Manager before becoming a full-time mother.
When Sonya had her first daughter, it soon became apparent that her daughter had ASD. Then, when her twins were born two years later, history repeated itself, with both twins having ASD & ADHD.
Sonya learned as much as she could to best support her wonderful girls, attending courses and lectures to understand how to support their sometimes-challenging behaviour.
These skills were soon further utilised when Sonya took up work as a Learning Support Assistant. Her compassion, drive to support and desire to be the voice for children labelled as ‘naughty’ or ‘different’ became a mission.
Sonya had seen many times how her children had been let down by the education system, with schools refusing to support or understand her bright-minded girls. In the work environment, she witnessed schools failing children again. So she made sure that she shared her skills with colleagues and became a positive voice who advocated for the rights and needs of children.
Sonya navigated the EHCP system for her daughter, putting in many hours to secure the support the school had told her “she would never get”. As a result, her daughter became the first child to attend a highly selective grammar school with an EHCP. She proved that all children with ASD and ADHD have a right to feel supported and deserve a chance to shine.
After many years working as an LSA and Pastoral Carer in schools, Sonya pursued a Psychology degree, receiving distinctions and a DipHE in Psychology. Despite the challenges of her own conditions, Sonya continues to work towards her dissertation, using techniques that suit a neurodivergent mind.
Counselling has been a real passion and took up a whole year of her degree. Sonya also has completed training in Counselling Skills and Understanding Mental Health in children and young people.
Sonya volunteered as a Crisis Counsellor for SHOUT – a mental health text line service to help young people in crisis. There she helped people deal with bereavement, stress, suicidal ideation and many other issues.
Sonya has worked with children as young as four up to teenage years and has a strong affinity with adults of all ages. ADHD and ASD are her areas of expertise. She also has first-hand experience with eating disorders, stress, self-harm, depression and LGBTQ+ / gender identity issues through her children and life experiences.
Sonya is very supportive and understanding and firmly believes there are ‘no bad children’, just behaviours that result from a lack of support and understanding.
With a wealth of knowledge to share, Sonya is passionate about supporting parents, mentoring and working with young people and adults – always tailoring her support to each individual.
Sonya equally supports adults with ADHD and ASD as she can offer personal insights into living with and managing both conditions in a study environment, workplace and family dynamic. In addition, couples/ family therapy are provided for those needing support as a couple or to support their children.
Well-being and fulfilment of potential are at the forefront of all Sonya does; with a listening ear, genuine warmth and extensive first-hand experience to share, clients will always feel understood and validated.
Qualifications
- Psychology, Diploma of Higher Education 2022
- CertHE Psychology (Distinction) 2000
- NCFE Level 3 Diploma in Supporting Teaching and Learning
- NCFE Level 2 Certificate Counselling Skills
- NCFE Level 2 Certificate Understanding Children and Young People’s Mental Health
Current Training & CPD
- BSc (Hons) Psychology (final year)
- Supporting English as an Additional Language
- SHOUT Crisis Counsellor 2019
- Zones of Regulation
- Black Sheep and Time To Talk Communication Therapy
- Musical Communication Therapy
See what Sonya’s previous clients have said …
Sonya is the best therapist I have had. I have been in therapy for 12 years and seen a total of 10 therapists (Sonya included).
When speaking to Sonya I feel like I am speaking to a friend I have known for years. I don’t feel the need to mask or hide who I am to get her to like me (which I have done with other therapists).
Sonya just gets me and helps me find solutions to problems I have. I look forward to our sessions, knowing that I will come away with new knowledge and skills to implement into my life to make things easier.
Sonya is kind, caring, compassionate and friendly. I have spent 39 years feeling like I was a failure and lazy, and that I was the only one. Sonya has made me feel less alone. She makes me feel comfortable to open up and confident to celebrate my neurodivergence. Making the choice to find someone who is also neurodivergent was one of the best decisions of my life.
Thank you SO much for me and my daughter’s session today – it was lovely to meet you, and we both found the session very helpful. Sammy was really happy afterwards. I think she really valued talking to someone who clearly ‘got’ her.
She had a few therapy sessions with a non-ADHD therapist a couple of months ago, which were helpful to an extent, but which Sammy also found a bit frustrating, as the therapist didn’t really seem to understand the problems she was having. We’re very grateful to have found you!
B seems very happy and really looks forward to seeing you, which is just fantastic!!!
He’s even talking about getting a job !! I can’t tell you how amazing that is; We weren’t even sure if he was going to survive this past year it’s been so bad; so now we are all starting to see a future ahead for him.
Thank you very much for your part in that, the coaching has started to give him confidence in who he is, which is what we all need, is it not?
I’m so pleased we found you!!
I have been searching for effective help for my lovely teenage daughter for over 5 years. We/ she has seen 2 psychiatrists, 3 psychologists and 4 therapists. All with good intentions but my gorgeous daughter has only got worse in this time.
Finally my friend’s friend recommended Headstuff, my friend sent me a link on a Wednesday. That evening, I filled in their form not expecting a response at all or not one for several weeks like so many times before.
The next morning at 07.30 I had a response from Sonya. Not only did she respond but I knew from her email I had finally found our angel who was actually going to help us. I felt that not only did she have a great desire to help but also that she actually had the knowledge to help.
I felt so relieved my tears wouldn’t stop leaking for hours.
I’ve now had two sessions and Sonya is shining a very bright light to our future and showing us the way. Every question I ask she knows the answer and every time it’s like a lightbulb.
Sonya is super kind and has great insight and knowledge. Sonya there are no words to how grateful I am. Thank you to Headstuff too.
Sonya was excellent at putting both me and my daughter at ease.
She engaged brilliantly with my daughter, whilst remaining professional and focused on the ADHD pre-assessment.
She was thorough, patient and friendly. We couldn’t have asked for a better experience.