Sonya Szpojnarowicz

I work in different locations in Cotham/Kingsdown BS6, Stokes Croft BS2, and sometimes Westbury on Trym BS9.  I also do 'walk and talk' sessions at various locations around Bristol.  I work face to face and online.

I am quite full at the moment but I try to work flexibly so I can sometimes find space unexpectedly.  I am more likely to have space during the daytime on Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday

I work in a fundamentally 'person-centred' way, following the theoretical approach of Carl Rogers who believed that people are unique, rational beings who possess everything they need within themselves to live happy, fulfilled lives. 

I integrate ideas and theories from other types of counselling and psychotherapy, and am trained in different approaches. In particular, I like using CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) methods such as ‘reframing’ and identifying ‘negative thinking patterns’, trying to find different ways to look at situations, and tools and strategies that really help. I also use ideas from TA (transactional analysis), particularly the need for autonomy, how we are in different relationships (you might have heard of the parent/adult/child ego states inside us all) and the concepts around ‘I’m ok, you’re ok’. And I integrate ideas from existential therapy, ACT (acceptance and commitment therapy), compassion-focussed therapy, focusing, and DBT (dialectical behaviour therapy). 

I find working with imagery and metaphor often very powerful, especially when trying to help people find their inner meanings when things feel overwhelming or confusing.  I love 'bibliotherapy', and therapeutic writing/poetry, and I know from personal experience as well as working with others how valuable a resource the world of literature and words can be.  I try to keep my mind open to all these different ‘schools’ of counselling and psychotherapy and to keep my training as current and broad as I can, so that I can bring the best of all these valuable therapies into my work to help clients.

I work with young people and with adults.

I spent many years living and working in Asia and have worked with people from many different cultures, faiths and backgrounds.

I have worked in bereavement support for 20 years, and have a special interest in working with bereaved families after the loss of a child, and with bereaved young people.  I have a close connection with The Compassionate Friends.

Good counselling can offer valuable hope, comfort, and support, even when life feels impossibly hard and we feel lost and confused. I believe passionately in the power of talking, listening and understanding. We all have powerful inner resources, even though we might lose touch with them as we journey through life’s ups and downs - therapy can often really help us get back in touch with who we are and what life’s all about. I offer a welcoming place where you can talk about anything that’s troubling you, maybe things you can’t talk about anywhere else. You might have a clear idea of what you need to talk about in counselling, or you might feel unsure about what the real problems might actually be. I will try to help you to understand and begin to come to terms with the things you are facing, and hopefully to live your life more fully.

Sometimes this can be a long process, sometimes just a few sessions are all you might need for a chance to 'reset'.  We are always capable of change, no matter how old we are or what we might have experienced – and change is a constantly ongoing process.

We work mainly through dialogue, but sometimes it can be helpful to use more creative approaches, with writing or drawing or something more tactile.  Sometimes an exercise in breathing, guided visualisation or mindful relaxation can make all the difference.

I work with sessions of 50 minutes to an hour, and ideally we try to do the same time every week, but this is not always possible and I am willing to work flexibly where I can.

I do not work with couples, though I am fascinated by relationships and have experience working with relationship issues, divorce and separation, families and extended families, parenting issues and family estrangement/alienation.

I have experience of working in both primary and secondary schools, and with university undergraduates, postgraduates and staff.

I set up a support group for bereaved parents in Singapore, running groups as well as individual support.

Finding the 'right' counsellor can be a confusing and nerve-wracking experience, and it is important that you feel comfortable with the person you decide to work with.  I offer a complimentary initial consultation online or on the telephone for up to 30 minutes so that you can get a sense of what I'm like and whether I might be a good fit for you.     

I am a BACP accredited therapist which means I have achieved a high level of qualification and experience.  I worked as a lawyer for many years before training in counselling, which has given me particular skills in focusing, clarifying, articulating difficult things and quickly understanding complicated situations.