Therapist Sonia Dugay Photo

Sonia Dugay, BACP

Stress, Anxiety Relationships Family conflicts Depression Coping with life changes
Video Phone Live Chat Messaging

About me

Hi, I am a registered Counsellor in the South of UK. I have worked with many different clients having spent some time in a support centre for survivors of rape and sexual abuse. Survivors of such a trauma can bring many different issues to the Counselling space such as Anxiety, Anger management issues, Low Self Esteem, Intimacy Difficulties, Eating Disorders, Self Harm, Relationship problems and these are some of the issues that I have worked with predominantly.
I have been working in Private Practice more recently and during the lockdown which brought different types of mental health problems to people. Some of whom were young adults, with issues such as Loneliness, Anxiety and Career changes. Others were in a mid life crisis, struggling with relationship issues or low confidence difficulties.

I have also counselled people with issues surrounding DNA surprises.

Some of these problems are very difficult to talk about and taking the first step is often hard to do. However, talking about your troubles and finding yourself listened to by someone who is not going to judge is a wonderful feeling. I can offer you a space to offload your troubles and together we can try to find a solution so that you can make your way into the future with a bit more hope. My approach is to listen to the client and hear what you need instead of telling you what you should do; a Person Centred Theory which believes that the client has the answer. The way forward is to draw the answers from you by listening carefully to the 'inner you' .
I also use a psycohdynamic theory which goes a bit deeper into your life in order to explain why some of your issues may exist because inside every adult is a child who had experiences that may still need addressing.

On a personal note I believe strongly that any form of exercise helps enormously with mental health and for me a brisk walk or dance class helps put me back on my feet if life gets tough.
My up bringing was basically Christian but not very deep at all and I don't consider myself to be of any particular religion now. However, I am interested in all religions and believe myself to be open to understanding other cultures. I respect the fact that religion is very important to many people in all sorts of different ways --good and bad.
I am friendly, warm and interested in others. I look forward to meeting you.

Professional experience

7 yrs in practice
Stress, Anxiety Relationships Family conflicts Depression Coping with life changes

Additional areas of focus: LGBT, Trauma and abuse, Intimacy-related issues, Eating disorders, Parenting issues, Anger management, Self esteem, Career difficulties, Compassion fatigue, Abandonment, Attachment issues, Blended family issues, Body image, Caregiver issues and stress, Commitment issues, Control issues, Divorce and separation, Domestic violence, Eating and food-related issues, Emptiness, Family of origin issues, Family problems, Forgiveness, Guilt and shame, Infidelity, Isolation / loneliness, Jealousy, Life purpose, Midlife crisis, Mood disorders, Pregnancy and childbirth, Self-love, Sexual assault and abuse, Sexuality, Women's issues, Workplace issues

Clinical approaches: Client-Centered Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy

Services offered

Video
Phone
Live Chat
Messaging

Credentials information

BACP Therapist - Registered Member MBACP #386067

Reviews

These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Sonia Dugay. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.

She's an excellent counselor. Though my mental issues can't fully be addressed, she's done an outstanding job in guiding me with applicable feedback and advice.

Written on Jun 10, 2025 after therapy with Sonia for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, and eating disorders

Insightful, caring and a good listener

Written on May 20, 2025 after therapy with Sonia for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, intimacy-related issues, and self esteem

I have been working with Sonia through BetterHelp, and I can't express enough how transformative my experience has been. Sonia is truly amazing; she consistently listens with empathy and approaches each session with an open mind, regardless of the headspace I'm in. Her ability to create a safe and supportive environment has been instrumental in my personal growth. Thanks to her guidance and understanding, I find my life to be more enjoyable and fulfilling. I highly recommend Sonia to anyone seeking a compassionate and insightful therapist.

Written on Mar 05, 2025 after therapy with Sonia for 1 year and 4 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, sleeping disorders, self esteem, anger management, and adhd

A very empathetic counselor. Easy to relate to. Good experience all round. Glad there is a site like this. Thanks

Written on Feb 10, 2025 after therapy with Sonia for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, and self esteem

Sonia is just like chatting to a good friend.

Written on Jan 23, 2025 after therapy with Sonia for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, and addictions

Sonia was such a great support to me, providing a listening ear. She helped to prompt me whenever I needed help to express myself, and our sessions really helped me to organise my thoughts and emotions. I am in a much better place because of Sonia’s help.

Written on Jan 07, 2025 after therapy with Sonia for 2 weeks on issues concerning family conflicts