Therapist profile
Dr. Sonya Medina, VA Psychologist 0810003270
Virginia
VA Psychologist - Anger and Trauma
Continue with SonyaKey details
- CredentialsVA Psychologist 0810003270
- LicensePsychologist, Virginia / 0810003270
- NPI1003907536
- Experience24 years
- LanguagesEnglish
- LocationVirginia
About
About Sonya
Dr. Sonya Medina is a VA Psychologist (VA Psychologist 0810003270) based in Virginia with 24 years of clinical experience. She works with adults on problems such as stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, low self-esteem, depression, addictions, relationship and intimacy concerns, and anger. She also supports people facing caregiver stress, chronic illness, attachment and family of origin issues, and compassion fatigue.
Her practice centers on practical, hands-on work. She uses cognitive behavioral ideas to help people spot thinking patterns that keep them stuck. Then she helps clients test different behaviors and notice what changes. Sessions are collaborative and focused on clear steps a person can try between meetings.
Dr. Medina draws on mindfulness strategies to help people tolerate strong feelings and stay present during difficult moments. She also uses motivational interviewing to clarify goals and boost readiness for change, and solution-focused techniques to identify small, achievable shifts that make everyday life easier.
Her previous settings include juvenile justice and residential treatment, and she currently provides services with Veterans. That range informs how she assesses risk, coping, and practical supports for people in stressful circumstances. She aims to help clients reduce recurring negative patterns and improve daily functioning.
People can expect direct feedback and structured work in sessions. She values collaboration and sets concrete goals tied to quality of life and functioning. If someone wants to try a focused, action-oriented approach to managing anger or related concerns, this is the kind of work she offers.
How sessions work
Approaches that translate to online work
Dr. Medina commonly uses cognitive behavioral ideas to map how thoughts, feelings, and actions link together. In sessions she helps people identify unhelpful thinking patterns, try different behaviors, and track what changes. This approach is practical for problems like anger, anxiety, and depression.She also uses Mindfulness Therapy to build tolerance for strong emotions. Simple breathing and attention practices are taught and then reviewed in follow-up sessions to help people respond differently in heated moments. Motivational Interviewing is used to clarify goals and strengthen motivation for change through focused conversation and planning.
Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will work with each person to choose methods that fit their goals and daily life, and she will adjust the plan based on what works. The aim is to agree on small, measurable steps that can be practiced between sessions.
Session formats are not specified in the biography, so confirm current options before booking. In general, remote sessions can make it easier to fit work into a busy schedule, allow for shorter check-ins when needed, and avoid travel time. Online work can support steady practice of behavioral and mindfulness techniques and lets therapists and clients review progress and adjust strategies together.
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 abuse, grief, self-esteem, depression, addictions, relationship and intimacy concerns, and anger among other related issues.
What is her general therapy style?
She uses a practical, collaborative approach that focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and changing behaviors through concrete tasks and feedback.
How many years of experience does she have?
She has 24 years of clinical experience working in settings such as juvenile justice, residential treatment, and services for Veterans.
What credential does she hold and where is she located?
She is listed as a VA Psychologist (VA Psychologist 0810003270) and practices in Virginia.
Are sessions offered in other languages?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does she work with international clients?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are sessions scheduled and what about cost?
Cost varies with location; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin if I want to work 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 anyone is unsafe, use the crisis numbers.