Therapist profile
Dr. Sonya Medina, VA Psychologist 0810003270
Virginia
VA Psychologist - Stress and Trauma
Continue with SonyaWhere Sonya stands
- Credentials
- VA Psychologist 0810003270
- License
- Psychologist, Virginia / 0810003270
- NPI
- 1003907536
- Experience
- 24 years
- Languages
- English
- Location
- Virginia
About
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Mindfulness techniques
- Motivational interviewing
About Sonya
Dr. Sonya Medina is a VA Psychologist with 24 years of clinical experience based in Virginia. She works with adults experiencing stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, low self-esteem, depression, addictions, relationship and intimacy concerns, and codependency. She also helps people facing caregiver stress, chronic illness, family of origin issues, and other life changes.
She brings a straightforward, cognitive behavioral approach to sessions. That means she helps people notice unhelpful thinking patterns, understand how those thoughts affect feelings and behavior, and practice different ways of responding. She emphasizes clear feedback and hands-on work rather than long abstract discussion.
In addition to CBT, she uses mindfulness techniques and motivational interviewing strategies to support change. For trauma-related concerns she integrates trauma-focused methods aimed at processing difficult experiences while keeping the pace manageable. Solution-focused elements help people set practical short-term goals.
Her background includes work in juvenile justice, residential treatment, and with veterans. Those roles shaped her focus on mood and anxiety disorders, trauma, substance use, and women's issues. She frames treatment around improving day-to-day quality of life and breaking negative cycles that keep people stuck.
Sessions are collaborative and goal-oriented. People who struggle with people-pleasing, trouble saying no, or losing themselves in relationships may find concrete tools here for boundary setting, communication, and coping with strong emotions.
How sessions work
How her approaches translate to online work
CBT focuses on spotting and testing thoughts that keep someone stuck. Online sessions can use structured exercises, thought records, and behavioral experiments to change thinking and daily routines. This approach is useful for anxiety, depression, and codependency patterns that involve repeated unhelpful reactions.Mindfulness Therapy teaches simple attention and grounding practices to reduce reactivity. Practicing brief grounding or breathing exercises during a session can help with stress, trauma symptoms, and emotion regulation. Motivational Interviewing helps people clarify what they want to change and boosts internal motivation through guided conversation and goal setting.
Finding the right mix of methods is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with each person to decide whether CBT, mindfulness, motivational interviewing, or trauma-focused techniques fit best. Goals, preferences, and current difficulties guide that choice rather than a single fixed plan.
The original profile does not list specific session formats, so confirm which online options are offered before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions around family or work, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and remove travel time. It also lets people practice exercises in their real-life settings so skills transfer to everyday situations.
Areas of focus
Areas of expertise
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
24+ years
Listed in
Virginia
Languages
English
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, trauma and related issues such as grief, depression, addictions, relationship and intimacy concerns, and codependency.
What is her therapeutic style like?
She uses a practical, collaborative style focused on identifying unhelpful thinking and changing behaviors. Sessions emphasize actionable steps and direct feedback.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 24 years of clinical experience, including work in juvenile justice, residential treatment, and with veterans.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is listed as VA Psychologist 0810003270 and practices in Virginia.
Does she work in other languages or with international clients?
Sessions are offered in English and she is not accepting international clients.
What session formats are available?
The original profile does not specify session formats; please confirm current session options before booking.
How does payment or cost work?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are not safe at home, use the crisis and helpline numbers.