- 36 years experience
- California licensed
- Focus on anxiety
About Sonya
Dr. Sonya Kelly is a California psychologist with more than three decades of professional experience. She brings a straightforward, supportive approach to conversations about stress, anxiety, relationships, trauma, and mood concerns. Dr. Kelly offers calm guidance and practical steps to help people feel steadier in daily life.
She frames clients as the experts on their own lives and builds on existing strengths. Sessions focus on clear goals, better communication, and workable strategies for managing symptoms like panic and anxiety. People can expect a mix of talking, skill practice, and problem-solving that connects to their real routines.
Dr. Kelly has worked with many concerns, including depression, self-esteem, codependency, obsessions and compulsions, social anxiety, and issues tied to family of origin. She also supports those navigating non-monogamous relationships and the specific stresses women often face. Her experience includes individual work, couple sessions, and group facilitation.
Her style is collaborative and steady. She helps clients set small, achievable steps and checks progress along the way. For someone worried about panic attacks or chronic anxiety, sessions aim to reduce disruptive symptoms and improve daily functioning.
Dr. Kelly holds the credential CA Psychologist 17700, which indicates licensure in California, and she practices in that state. Sessions are conducted in English and she does not take international clients. To begin, prospective clients follow the site intake flow to match and schedule with her.
Evidence-based techniques and online therapy options
Dr. Kelly uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques to address anxiety, panic, and related concerns. One common approach focuses on helping people understand and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors that maintain anxiety and panic symptoms; it emphasizes practical steps and skill building to reduce distress. Another frequently used method centers on trauma-informed care and stabilization strategies that teach grounding, emotion regulation, and pacing to manage overwhelming feelings.Choosing the right approach is a joint process. The therapist and client review goals, symptoms, and how daily life is affected, then try methods that fit those needs. That collaboration means adjustments over time until a helpful blend of techniques is found.
Confirm current session options before booking since the original profile does not list specific formats. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life by removing travel time and offering more flexible scheduling. It also allows sessions that focus on short check-ins when needed, or fuller hour-long meetings for skills work and deeper discussion. Ask about the exact formats offered when you match and schedule.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Experience
36+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What problems does Dr. Kelly help people with?
She regularly works with stress, anxiety, relationship struggles, trauma and abuse, low self-esteem, and depression. The profile also lists panic disorder and panic attacks among areas she addresses.
What is her general therapy style?
Her approach is collaborative and practical, focusing on goals, skill practice, and building on clients' strengths. Sessions combine conversation with clear steps to manage symptoms.
How much experience does she have?
She has 36 years of professional experience and has been licensed in California since 2001 as a psychologist.
Where is she licensed and based?
She holds the credential CA Psychologist 17700 and practices in California.
Which languages are available for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
She is not currently accepting international clients.
How are fees handled for sessions?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What should I do to start therapy with her?
Select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.