Online Integrative Counsellor from Southend-on-Sea
About Me
My name is Sonia, but everyone calls me Nina. I'm Brazilian, and I've been living in the UK for almost 30 years. I trained as a counsellor over a decade ago, and I've been supporting clients ever since.
My therapeutic approach is rooted in person-centred counselling, where the quality of the relationship between therapist and client really matters. Over time, my practice has become integrative. I draw from trauma-informed approaches, relational therapy, and an understanding of attachment. I also pay attention to what's happening in the body, not just what's being spoken about.
Before moving into private practice, I spent several years working with teenagers at Middlesex MIND. My role started as a student mentor, teaching things like mindfulness, grounding techniques, and how the brain works. That eventually became one-to-one therapy work with young people.
I also worked in a secondary school placement for two years. Alongside that, I've supported adults and parents through a wide range of challenges. I've undertaken additional training in areas such as the Not Good Enough mindset, working with shame, and couple and relationship therapy. I'm currently updating my expertise in trauma-informed practice.
Having built a life in a country that wasn't where I started, I understand the challenges that come with that. Questions about identity, belonging, and feeling caught between worlds. It shapes how you see yourself and how you move through life. Living between cultures has informed the way I understand identity and the way people can learn to adapt to feel accepted.
Counselling can be an enriching experience. The bond and trust developed between client and therapist can be really worthwhile. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards change. I'm here to support and empower you in that journey.
Qualifications and Memberships
CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (QCF)
COSRT Level 5 Accredited Certificate in Couple and Relationship Work
Registered Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
Accredited Member of the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS)
I receive regular clinical supervision and engage in ongoing professional development to ensure a thoughtful, ethical, and well-supported service. My practice is guided by the BACP Code of Ethics.