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LCSW

Sonya Drottar, LCSW

  • Experience25 years
  • LocationCalifornia
  • Focus areasStress and Anxiety, Family, and Parenting
  • Therapy approachesInternal Family Systems and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
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About Sonya

Sonya Drottar is a California-licensed clinical social worker with 25 years of professional experience helping people navigate stress, anxiety, relationship strain, grief, and major life transitions.

Background and approach

She draws on a range of evidence-informed methods to support clients through parenting challenges, compassion fatigue, addiction concerns, career questions, and the emotional impacts of chronic illness or caregiving roles. Her practice emphasizes a collaborative stance that meets each person where they are and builds practical skills alongside emotional awareness.

Sonya cultivates a respectful, nonjudgmental space where thoughts and feelings can be named and explored. She blends Internal Family Systems ideas with acceptance-oriented and cognitive strategies to help clients untangle conflicting parts, clarify values, and make concrete changes.

Clients can expect an encouraging partner focused on steady progress, clearer communication, and sustainable coping tools tailored to individual circumstances and goals.

Approaches that translate well to online therapy

Sonya integrates Internal Family Systems and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy alongside client-centered techniques to support work in an online format. Internal Family Systems helps people notice and dialogue with different internal parts to reduce internal conflict and build inner compassion, making it useful when sorting complicated feelings about relationships, trauma, or identity. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy encourages noticing thoughts and sensations while clarifying personal values, which can aid in managing anxiety, grief, and life transitions through practical exercises and values-driven goals.

Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the therapeutic process, and Sonya collaborates with each person to determine what fits best. She adapts methods to a client’s goals and preferences, drawing on acceptance, cognitive tools, and client-centered listening to design sessions that are both exploratory and action-oriented.

Online formats such as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging offer flexibility for scheduling and allow work to continue across different locations. These options make it easier to maintain consistency, try out different interventions between sessions, and receive support in ways that match daily life and accessibility needs.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of issues does she address?
Sonya works with a wide range of concerns including stress, anxiety, family and parenting problems, grief, trauma and abuse, addictions, self-esteem, career challenges, and coping with life changes.
What therapeutic style can I expect in sessions?
The approach is collaborative and client-centered, combining Internal Family Systems concepts with acceptance-based and cognitive strategies to explore emotions and develop practical skills.
How long has she been practicing?
She brings 25 years of professional experience supporting clients across diverse life challenges and transitions.
What credentials and location are listed?
She is a licensed clinical social worker with the credential CA LCSW 22536 and practices in California.
Does she work with people who live outside the United States?
Yes, Sonya accepts international clients and provides services to people outside the United States.
What session formats are offered?
Sessions are available by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to accommodate different preferences and schedules.
How are fees handled for sessions?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability and sessions are provided through a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsParenting issuesCoping with life changesCompassion fatigue

Also works with

AddictionsRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseGriefSelf esteemCareer difficulties

Additional focus areas

Attachment issuesBlended family issuesCancerCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsDivorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFirst responder issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameMidlife crisisMoney and financial issuesPanic disorder and panic attacksPostpartum depressionPregnancy and childbirthSexual assault and abuseSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingSolution-Focused TherapyInternal Family Systems

Experience

25+ years

Licensed

California

Languages

English