Congratulations on taking the courageous step towards improving your mental health! Beginning therapy can evoke a mix of emotions—empowerment, confusion, and even fear—but it’s a significant stride towards positive change. I strive to create a space of emotional safety to help you explore thoughts, perceptions, and emotions you are experiencing from the stressors and challenges in your life. Counseling is a journey of personal growth, tailored to meet your unique needs and aspirations. Together, we can work towards building the fulfilling life you deserve. When you’re ready to take the next step towards personal development, I’m here to support you.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
The initial session is dedicated to creating a safe and supportive environment where you can openly share and explore your thoughts and feelings. Your confidentiality and comfort are my top priorities. During this first meeting, we will focus on introductions, discuss the reasons you sought counseling, and review your personal goals.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
My greatest strengths lie in my humility, relatability, empathy, and caring nature. I take pride in my ability to connect with patients from all walks of life, offering compassionate care to individuals and families across multiple generations. My experience allows me to understand and address the unique challenges that each stage of life presents, ensuring that my patients feel heard, understood, and supported throughout their journey.
About Sonja Bandstra
Specializes in
Licensed in
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Appointments
VirtualMy treatment methods
Compassion Focused
Whether you are navigating anxiety, relationship issues, or life transitions, compassion therapy offers a supportive space to explore your feelings without judgment. Together, we will work toward acceptance of your emotions and experiences and develop skills to foster acceptance, healing, and peace because you deserve mental and emotional wellness.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is an evidenced-based practice that helps identify and restructure thoughts and perceptions that influence emotion and behavior. Within a compassionate and supportive environment, we will work together to build the skills to help you manage your emotions and cope with stress in order to improve mental and emotional health.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
Dialectal-Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based approach for those who struggle with intense emotions, impulsivity, and relational dynamics. Our sessions will help you to build mindfulness, emotional regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and distress tolerance skills to better manage emotions and improve dynamics in your interpersonal relationships.