About Sonia

I’m Sonia Sear, an accredited Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist with a background across NHS mental health services, social care, and educational settings.

Across my work, I have supported children, young people, and adults through periods of emotional distress, instability, and difficult points in life where things feel hard to manage or move through. 

This includes working through:

• anxiety and avoidance cycles 
• emotional dysregulation 
• trauma-related patterns 
• behavioural reinforcement cycles

My approach is warm, practical, and grounded in real experience. I take time to understand your goals, values, and what you would like to change, so we can make sense of what’s been difficult together. I aim to create a safe, supportive space where you feel heard, understood, and supported in making meaningful change. 

I’ve worked across:

• CAMHS inpatient and community services 
• child protection and social care 
• residential and educational settings 
• private practice with adults, children, and families 

This has given me extensive experience with emotional distress, complexity, and high-need presentations.

Much of my work has involved supporting children and young people experiencing:

• trauma 
• emotional dysregulation 
• behavioural difficulties 
• instability in home or school environments 

I’ve worked closely with families and multidisciplinary teams to create tailored care and support. 

I focus on helping children feel safe, build trust, and develop healthier ways to understand and manage their emotions and behaviours.

As a registered Social Worker, I’ve worked in frontline child protection settings assessing risk, safety, and family complexity.

I’ve worked within CAMHS inpatient services, supporting young people aged 12-17 who were experiencing severe mental health difficulties, including self-harm and suicidal thoughts. 

I’ve also worked in community CAMHS, supporting children and families in their day-to-day lives - offering guidance, early intervention, and ongoing support.

This work requires calm judgement, structured thinking, and clear decision-making in high-pressure situations.

This experience allows me to work with complexity, risk, and systems in a grounded and consistent way, while maintaining a clear focus on the emotional and behavioural needs of the individual.

In these environments, I have learned the importance of building strong, trusting relationships. I have provided consistent emotional support during times of crisis, helping young people feel less alone and more able to cope.

I am a BABCP accredited Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist and registered with Social Work England. My practice is grounded in evidence-based psychological therapies across psychology and social work, with a strong focus on ethical, regulated, and accountable care. 

• ADOS-2 Training, 2026
• PGDip Evidence-Based Psychological Treatment for Children and Young People (IAPT), 2022 
• PGDip Social Work, 2019 
• MSc Psychology, 2018 
• BA (Hons) Education Studies, 2015

All of my experience has shaped the way I work today. I understand how overwhelming things can feel, and I know that reaching out for support isn’t always easy.

When we work together, you won’t be doing this alone. We’ll make sense of what’s been happening for you, identify patterns that may be keeping you stuck, and take practical steps towards change - at a pace that feels right for you.

My goal is to help you feel more in control, more confident, and better equipped to live a life that feels fuller and more aligned with who you are.