- Cognitive behavioral work
- Mindfulness exercises
- Goal focused sessions
About Sonya
Dr. Sonya Medina is a VA Psychologist with 24 years of clinical experience based in Virginia. She works with people dealing with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, depression, substance concerns, relationship and intimacy-related issues, and compassion fatigue among other concerns.
She has worked in juvenile justice, residential treatment, and currently with veterans. Those settings shaped a direct, practical approach to therapy. Sessions focus on identifying unhelpful thinking and changing the behaviors that keep problems going.
Her main orientation is cognitive behavioral work. That means she helps people notice thought patterns that increase distress and then practices new ways of thinking and acting. She also uses mindfulness exercises to help with calm and present-moment focus.
Motivational interviewing and solution-focused techniques appear in sessions when the client wants clear steps forward. Trauma-focused methods are used for people who have painful past events that continue to affect daily life. The therapist describes therapy as collaborative and focused on clear goals for better day-to-day functioning.
Practical skills, brief experiments between sessions, and straightforward feedback are common. Dr. Medina aims to help people break negative cycles, manage symptoms, and build routines that support improved mood and relationships.
People who prefer direct conversation, structured exercises, and checkable progress measures often find this style useful. For next steps, confirm current session options and scheduling details before booking.
How her approaches translate to online sessions
Dr. Medina commonly uses cognitive behavioral techniques and mindfulness work in her sessions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on spotting thoughts that fuel anxiety and testing new behaviors in everyday life, which can be practiced in between appointments. Mindfulness Therapy uses brief attention and breathing exercises to help reduce reactivity and increase present-moment awareness, useful when anxiety spikes.She also uses motivational interviewing to support commitment to change and solution-focused steps when clients want concrete next moves. Choosing the right mix of methods is a collaborative process. The therapist and client review goals, try approaches, and adjust based on what helps most in practice.
Confirm the current session formats before booking, as specific online or in-person options are not listed here. Many people find remote sessions help fit therapy into a workday, reduce travel time, and allow for quicker check-ins when needed. Others like a mix of session lengths or more frequent brief contacts; these preferences can be discussed when arranging appointments.
Areas of expertise
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
24+ years
Listed in
Virginia
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What problems does she address?
Dr. Medina works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, depression, addictions, relationship and intimacy-related issues, and compassion fatigue among other concerns.
What is her therapy style like?
She uses a practical, collaborative style focused on identifying unhelpful thoughts and changing behaviors through structured exercises and 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 location?
She is listed as VA Psychologist 0810003270 and practices in Virginia.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
International clients are not accepted at this time.
How are fees handled?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin sessions?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.