Sonia Martin

Sonia Martin

  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker
  • Video Therapy starting at $100
  • Specializing in: Anxiety, Addiction, Bipolar disorder, Communication issues, Depression
  • Years of Experience: 8
I am an LCSW and have worked in the field for over 7 years. I believe in holistic healing and a person centered approach. As a POC therapist, I understand the impact of race on mental health.

In what ways have your personal experiences influenced your work with your clients?

Mental health has always been in the forefront of my life since I was a child. Many members of my family have struggled with bi-polar disorder including my grandmother who lived with us for about 10 years. This is what brought me to the field and inspired me to want to provide support for those struggling with their mental health. This has given me an inherent patience and compassion for those with mental health issues and my clients in particular.

How does collaboration with other providers play into your work?

Throughout my career I have always worked as part of an interdisciplinary team. I have always found that talking out a case, especially when particularly challenging can open up new approaches and avenues to benefit the client. Ensuring that one has all the information about the client so as to view them from all angles is a key to robust treatment.

What’s the most profound, insightful, or interesting thing you’ve learned as a mental health professional?

My career trajectory has lent itself to various approaches to the therapeutic relationship. Much of my interactions have been a non-traditional setting, less of a one on one office environment. When working on outreach I learned that speaking with someone at their street location for 15 minutes can be just as powerful as a full hour session in an office. Therapy can look very different from what we imagine or how it is traditionally portrayed, and often can be just as effective.

Specialties

Anxiety

Anxiety can mean nervousness, worry, or self-doubt. Anxiety disorder is a mental health disorder that entails excessive, repeated bouts of worry, anxiety, and/or fear.

Addiction

Regular involvement with a substance or activity in a compulsive, hard to control way that often has harmful consequences. Often refers to substance use, but can include compulsive behaviors such as sex, gambling, or shopping.

Bipolar disorder

Characterized by alternating symptoms of depression and mania. During more extreme episodes, depression may lead to the point of suicidal ideation and attempts while extreme bouts of mania are marked by impulsive behavior, lack of sleep, elevated esteem, and even psychosis.

Communication issues

Source of communication challenges in circumstances and relationships that can have a negative impact on mental health. Misunderstandings and misinterpretations often lead to arguments in personal, platonic, or professional relationships.

Depression

Depression often causes people to feel sad, empty, or hopeless, and can cause a lack of interest in life. It can also affect a person's thinking patterns and physical health.

General Expertise

  • Anger management
  • Codependency
  • Drug addiction & abuse
  • Hoarding
  • Life transitions
  • Mood disorders
  • Personality disorders
  • Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Psychotic Disorders
  • Race & Cultural Identity
  • Relationship Issues
  • Schizophrenia
  • Social Anxiety
  • Trauma
  • Women's issues
  • Couples

Treatment Approaches / Modalities

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Person-Centered Therapy
  • Strength Based Therapy
  • The Gottman Method

Fees

  • $100
    First Session / Assessment
  • $100
    Individual Session
  • $150
    Couples Session
$100 First Session / Assessment
$100 Individual Session
$150 Couples Session

Education

  • Masters of Social Work, Clinical Practice with Individuals and Families, Hunter College
  • Bachelors of Arts, Psychology, University of Vermont

Training / Certifications

  • Mindfulness, CBT -- CUCS

Work History

I have a wide range of experience in the field and have worked with diverse populations for the duration of my career.

My recent role as a Director has given me the opportunity to train and teach staff in clinical interventions. I have also been able to provide crisis intervention, non traditional therapy, and general mental health assessment as well. Each week I also run a clinical meeting that involves the clinical management staff as well as the on site psychiatrists. We discuss difficult cases and clinical interventions that would best benefit our most challenging and vulnerable clients.

For the ten months I have branched out to traditional one on one therapy. This has been extremely rewarding and is part of the reason that I am looking to transition into a therapist role full time. I have enjoyed exercising my clinical skills in a more traditional therapeutic dynamic.

Licensure

  • NY, LCSW, 086062

Location

952 Saint Marks Ave, Brooklyn, NY, 11213