Sonjá Edwards-Sylvester is a Mental Health Counselor, licensed in the state of Massachusetts (LMHC). Sonjá has 10 years of experience working with clients across the lifespan and treating a full spectrum of symptom acuity as a provider with community service agencies, mobile crisis intervention, DMH Respite and hospital setting. Sonjá is a multi-culturally competent clinician with experience tailoring services to culturally and ethnically diverse populations. This compassionate counselor has addressed issues of behavioral health, conducted psychiatric evaluations, and uniquely designed clinical program structure.

She has earned a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Long Island University Brooklyn and a BSc in Psychology from the University of the West Indies St. Augustine- Trinidad & Tobago. Continuing education certification obtained in areas of Spiritually Informed Psychotherapies and Integrative Behavioral Health in Primary Care. Sonjá’s expertise lies in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and she draws from a variety of modalities including Motivational Interviewing, Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), and Narrative therapy, to address each person’s individual needs. Sonjá is passionate about the mind- body- spirit connection. She is driven to support clients to reduce interruptions to daily functioning by nurturing their mental health; managing psychological symptoms which often present with co-occurring medical conditions and substance use.

Sonjá describes her style as warm and direct, welcoming humor, maintaining a focus on enhancing clients’ strengths, cultivating fulfillment, and encouraging clients to mindfully adapting to life situations. Sonjá utilizes empirically sound approaches which recognize the significance of the therapeutic alliance on progress achieved. Some areas of professional interest include helping adults and children manage depressive disorders, mood disorders and anxiety disorders. Supporting persons with adjusting to life transitions, grief and bereavement, coping with a new medical condition, life after a traumatic experience, migration and immigration challenges.

Outside of work, Sonjá manages her self care through preferred practices of art, faith, being an aspiring crossfitter, salsa dancer and spending time with family. This mental health professional is a great therapeutic fit for persons who have decided to choose hope, desire long-term resilience and who are not afraid to join in with episodes of contagious laughter.