Graduate Student Intern
Supervisor: Susan Shimokaji, MBA, MAT, MA, LMFT

Who I Work With: My practice serves adolescents, young adults, and adults (ages 13–64), couples, and families.
Availability: Sonja is accepting clients at our Portland location.

Sometimes life simply gets heavy. We may feel stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected from ourselves and the life we want to live. In those moments, we need a safe place to land—a space to breathe, unpack our stories, and make sense of life's difficult chapters.

I work with individuals navigating anxiety, depression, grief, chronic illness, relationship challenges, and major life transitions. I strive to create a warm, collaborative, and nonjudgmental environment where clients feel safe to explore, grow, and heal. Together, we'll examine your experiences, relationships, and the patterns contributing to your distress, while fostering healthier ways of relating to yourself and others.

Through my work in lifestyle medicine and personal experience, I came to appreciate that anxiety and depression often go hand in hand with trauma, grief, and chronic illness. I realized that lasting healing involves caring for both the body and the emotional experiences that shape our well-being. That realization led me to pursue a master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at George Fox University.

I take an integrative approach that recognizes the connection between mind, body, and emotions. Drawing from evidence-based practices, I tailor therapy to your unique needs, values, and goals. I work with individuals, couples, and families, and have a special appreciation for those navigating health challenges.

I hold a Master of Public Health and am certified in Lifestyle Medicine. In addition to my counseling work, I serve as an adjunct faculty member in the Health Studies Department at Portland Community College, where I work closely with young adults navigating the challenges of emerging adulthood. This experience continues to deepen my appreciation for the resilience of young people and the importance of creating spaces where they feel seen, supported, and understood.

Outside of my work, I enjoy spending time outdoors, gardening, cooking, and being at home with my family and our two dogs.

If you're ready to begin, I'd be honored to walk alongside you. I welcome you to reach out to schedule an appointment, and I look forward to connecting with you.