Sonia

Sonia Lucas, BSc

Therapeutic Counsellor

Verified

“Hello and welcome. I support people who may be struggling with anxiety, trauma, relationship difficulties, low self-worth, disordered eating, or feeling stuck in familiar patterns. Through developing greater understanding of ourselves and our experiences, therapy can create opportunities for choice, hope and meaningful change.”

About me

Undoubtedly, we will all experience times in our lives when familiar ways of coping no longer seem to work, leaving us feeling lost, overwhelmed or frustrated. We may find ourselves feeling anxious, disconnected, stuck in repeating patterns, or affected by experiences from the past that continue to influence the present. In trying to make sense of our struggles, it is often easy to assume there is something wrong with us. We may question ourselves or place blame on ourselves for how we think, feel or behave. Yet often, our difficulties make sense when considered within the context of our experiences and life story. There is always more to our story than self-blame. Talking can help us gently challenge the beliefs we hold about ourselves, develop a deeper understanding of our experiences and make room for new possibilities. Through greater understanding, we can begin to move from self-judgement towards self-compassion, creating space for choice, hope and meaningful change. As human beings, struggle is an inevitable part of life, however painful it may feel. Therapy offers a space to make sense of our thoughts, feelings and experiences with curiosity, compassion and support, helping us develop a deeper understanding of ourselves and our lives. I offer a calm, thoughtful and confidential space where we can explore whatever has brought you to therapy. Together, we can make sense of difficult emotions, understand patterns that may be keeping you stuck, and work towards lasting change.

Approach

My approach is integrative, drawing on psychodynamic and person-centred perspectives, alongside an understanding of the ways trauma and life experiences can affect each of us differently. Rather than working from a single model, I tailor therapy to your individual needs, helping you develop a deeper understanding of yourself and the experiences that have shaped you. With over 20 years' experience working within the field of mental health and emotional wellbeing, I have supported people through a wide range of emotional and psychological difficulties. My experience includes working with trauma and disordered eating, and supporting people experiencing the emotional, relational and physiological impacts of overwhelming life experiences. I hold a Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) in Neuroscience and Adolescent Counselling, which informs my understanding of the relationship between the brain, nervous system and emotional wellbeing. This helps me work in a way that recognises how developmental experiences, trauma and chronic stress can affect both mind and body. I am also trained in Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), sometimes known as tapping, which can be incorporated into therapy where appropriate. I support people experiencing anxiety, trauma, relationship difficulties, low self-worth, disordered eating and life transitions, as well as those who feel stuck in familiar patterns or are seeking a deeper understanding of themselves and their experiences. I offer both in-person therapy in Woking and online sessions across the UK.
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Basic information

Languages:

English

Fees:

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In-person & Online

Services

My Areas of Interest and Specialisation I have a particular interest in helping people understand and overcome the lasting emotional, relational and physiological impact of difficult life experiences, supporting them to move from self-blame towards greater understanding, self-compassion and change. I work with people who may be struggling to make sense of how past and present experiences have shaped their emotional wellbeing, relationships and sense of self. Through developing greater awareness and understanding, therapy can create opportunities for choice, hope and meaningful change. My work includes supporting people experiencing: Trauma and complex trauma Anxiety and chronic stress Low self-esteem and self-criticism Relationship and attachment difficulties Disordered eating and emotional eating Dissociation and feelings of disconnection Emotional overwhelm and difficulties with emotional regulation Life transitions, loss and significant change Alongside my clinical experience, my postgraduate training in Neuroscience and Adolescent Counselling has deepened my understanding of the relationship between the brain, nervous system and emotional wellbeing. This supports my work with individuals seeking to make sense of their experiences, develop greater self-awareness and create opportunities for meaningful change.

Services Offered:

  • Counselling

    A form of talk therapy providing a safe, confidential space to explore feelings, thoughts, and behaviours with a trained professional.

    Learn more about Counselling
  • Integrative Psychotherapy

    An approach that draws on multiple therapeutic models, tailored to the individual, rather than following a single method.

  • Online Therapy

    Therapy sessions conducted over video call, phone, or secure messaging, using the same professional methods delivered remotely.

    Learn more about Online Therapy
  • Somatic Therapy

    A body-centred approach to healing that uses physical awareness, breath, and movement to release stored tension and trauma, based on the recognition that the body holds and expresses emotional experience.

  • Supervision

    Professional oversight for therapists and counsellors, providing guidance, ethical support, and reflective space for their clinical work.

    Learn more about Supervision
  • Wellness Support

    Holistic support focused on overall well-being, including stress management, lifestyle balance, and building sustainable healthy habits.

  • Individual Therapy

    One-on-one therapy sessions between a client and a therapist, focused on that person's specific concerns and goals.

    Learn more about Individual Therapy
  • Psychodynamic Therapy

    A therapy that explores how past experiences and unconscious patterns shape current feelings, relationships, and behaviour.

    Learn more about Psychodynamic Therapy

Works With:

  • Adults
  • Adolescents
  • Elderly
  • Individuals

Area of expertise

Scope of Practice:

  • Grief, Loss & Bereavement

    The emotional, physical, and psychological response to the death of a loved one or another significant loss, varying widely in duration and expression.

    Learn more about Grief, Loss & Bereavement
  • Life Transitions

    Major life changes, such as relocation, retirement, parenthood, or career shifts, that disrupt routine and require psychological adjustment.

    Learn more about Life Transitions
  • Adoption

    The process of legally becoming a parent to a child who is not biologically yours, which can raise complex emotions around identity, attachment, and belonging for all involved.

  • Family Issues

    Difficulties within the family system, including conflict, communication breakdown, blended family tensions, or intergenerational patterns, that affect individual and collective well-being.

  • Trauma

    The lasting psychological impact of deeply distressing events, such as violence, abuse, accidents, or disasters, that overwhelm a person's ability to cope.

    Learn more about Trauma
  • Women's Issues

    Psychological challenges more commonly experienced by women, including gender-based stress, reproductive health concerns, body image, caregiving burden, and societal expectations.

  • Alcohol Use / Addiction

    A pattern of alcohol consumption that has become harmful to a person's health, relationships, or ability to function day-to-day.

    Learn more about Alcohol Use / Addiction
  • Identity & Self-Image

    A person's sense of who they are, including their values, beliefs, roles, and self-perception, and the distress that arises when this sense is unclear, fragmented, or negative.

  • Stress / Burnout

    The body and mind's response to prolonged or excessive demands. When sustained, it can lead to emotional exhaustion, detachment, and reduced functioning (burnout).

    Learn more about Stress / Burnout
  • Spiritual Exploration

    Questions of meaning, purpose, faith, and spiritual experience as they relate to psychological well-being and personal identity.

Professional Title:

  • Therapeutic Counselor

    A counselor providing therapeutic support to help clients work through emotional and psychological difficulties.

Credentials

Qualifications

BSc Psychotherapeutic Counselling

University of Roehampton

Memberships

National Alliance of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (NACP)

Candidate Member

British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)

Membership: 379371

Service Areas

In-person & Online

Woking, England

United Kingdom

Also serving online:

Woking

Woking, United Kingdom