Feel free to contact Sonja to find out more - she welcomes hearing from you.

Testimonials:

It was great to experience the group dynamics and see the way they evolved. I really loved getting to know, in quite an intimate way, what was once a group of strangers. We cried, we laughed and we learned loads about ourselves in this relational-room.

I found Sonja's gentle yet grounded facilitation of the group therapy space validating and reassuring: it helped me feel comfortable to be vulnerable and show up, even when I really didn't want to!

Thankyou x

- RB, Graphic Designer

I’ve been in the group for a year and it’s been very rewarding. It’s quite a distinct process from 1-to-1 therapy. I’ve enjoyed the honest feedback I get from the group, which can be hard to get IRL in the same way. Plus, I’ve relished the opportunity to be more courageous in an emotionally receptive group. It can bring up intense emotions but the more challenging part for me is not running away from what I really want to say. Sonja is a fantastic leader who always has a poignant insight and helps set a welcoming space. I hope you join.

- Guy BJ, Software Engineer

I joined this group to supplement the disappointing development work that was part of my psychotherapy training. Sonja’s group was precisely what I had wanted. Her passion for group work and the dynamics that I encountered were everything that I had wanted in my training. The group members are carefully curated and the mix of personalities, backgrounds and wants are underpinned by a common curiosity and challenging kindness.

The encouragement to speak from your own experience helps contextualise disagreement and interpersonal challenge and I was both chagrined and happy that the group helped me uncover aspects of myself that I had not consciously encountered before. The greatest challenge and enjoyment were two sides of the same coin - the way my peers sensitively yet determinedly highlighted my avoidant tendencies and held me to account, and the compassionate way that we challenged each other to get to ever deeper parts of self.

I take from the group specific insights into my own psyche and approach to relationships that I am continuing to explore, as well as nascent friendships. I highly recommend this group to anyone motivated by genuine self-enquiry and the desire to relationally explore themselves, while helping others to do the same.

- LW, Psychotherapist

I joined the group having never experienced group therapy before, and didn’t know what to expect – but it has proved really enlightening.   I have found that the difference between 1:1 therapy and group therapy is that the former is more confessional – you talk about and explore your problems solo with the therapist as a guide, and this kind of unburdening can be a big relief and help you unpick some really traumatic areas of your life.   However in 1:1 therapy you will always be the sole testimony in the room about your life – there are no witnesses to share their version of events, how you acted or were perceived by others.   This happens in real time in group therapy – you come to understand and explore how other people experience you in the moment, how your actions and behaviours affect others and what your habits are when interacting in a group.   This is really important learning for life – to live well we have to be comfortable to show up authentically in the company of others, to feel able share our thoughts and emotions safely and hear and respond to others’ safely too.   For me there’s been a lot of joy in getting to know a completely unique group of people, who are on this strange journey together – you learn about the lives of strangers and there is an intimacy and friendship that emerges from that shared vulnerability. I find it really heartwarming to know that I am not the only one going through the struggles of life, and I really value the camaraderie that has emerged from that space.   I would recommend group therapy to anyone looking to understand how their presence affects other people, and how the way they show up in the world is creating a response that they do or do not want.   I have worked with several different therapists over the years and never found a good fit before, but I really trust Sonja’s judgement and respect the way she holds and guides the space.

Have you had experience of 1:1 therapy before? Are you looking to try something different, more active and practical? If the answer is yes, I would say give it a try.

- Claire, Charity Manager

This group provides a unique opportunity to learn about how you are perceived and experienced by others and you them. I enjoyed the group most when we reflected and responded to each other in the here and now, despite how daring this seemed. This enabled me to challenge my understanding of myself and experiment with different ways of being, with real time, direct feedback from the other group members - a confronting yet valuable experience.   I would advise anyone entering the group to be brave, generous, playful and try taking risks. Remembering, the more you give, the more you'll receive and the deeper the group’s experience is likely to be. 

- LV, Therapist

Listen to an excerpt of Sonja speaking as a guest on the Therapy Today podcast: