Sonia Holdaway, LPC
(she/her)
Trained as a couples therapist, my focus has always been on how we feel in relationship with ourselves and others. My work in mental health began at an eating disorder treatment center, where I worked with clients struggling to feel worthy of love and acceptance. I noticed in myself a similar fear of not being good enough, or acceptable to others, and I witnessed the powerful way that vulnerability and authentic, deep connection can break down shame, and make space for healing.
I bring to my work true empathy for the pain of anxiety, loneliness and self-criticism. I have focused my work on learning about how we can find empowering connection with ourselves and fulfilling connections with others. I pull from Attachment Theory and Family Systems Theory to address both our desire for connectedness, and our need to feel affirmed in our individual worth.
I want to help you feel clear about your needs, empowered to ask for them to be met, and safe in sharing yourself with others, confident that you deserve validation and love. I am always excited for you to embrace your own individual identity, body, sexuality and relationships. I believe that by challenging unhelpful ideas about who we think we need to be to feel worthy, and through experiencing our hardest feelings in the safety of a therapeutic relationship, we can feel less overwhelmed by emotion, more grounded in ourselves and satisfied in our relationships. You can learn more about my specific therapeutic approach by visiting the individual or couples counseling pages.
I bring a warm, calm presence and an open heart as we talk about the hardest challenges you face. I offer no judgement, and believe no issue is too small or unimportant to bring to counseling. I welcome all forms of relationships and identities, and particularly enjoy working with fellow members of the LGBTQ community.
It is important to choose a therapist that feels right for you, because counseling works best when the client-counselor relationship is a good fit.
Contact Sonia for a free phone consultation
Education and Experience
M.S., Marital, Couple and Family Counseling (2017), Portland State University - CACREP - accredited
B.S., Psychology (2013), Haverford College
Eating Disorder Center of Portland - Portland, OR
Portland State University Community Counseling Clinic- Portland, OR
Emotion-Focused Therapy for Individuals, training by Edwards Psychotherapy
Emotion-Focused Therapy for Couples, training by Edwards Psychotherapy
Advanced Emotion-Focused Therapy for Couples, training by Edwards Psychotherapy
Licensure
Oregon Licensed Professional Counselor - License number C7427