About Sonja | Innovative Social Work Solutions

Sonja has a Bachelor of Social Work (Honours), Bachelor of Education and Certificate IV in Workplace Training and Assessment.

Did you know that around 45% of people in Australia will experience a mental health condition in their lifetime?

In any one year, around one million Australian adults have depression, and over two million have anxiety.

Additionally, two studies suggest that 57–75% of Australians will experience a potentially traumatic event at some point in their lives

Now having a couple of ‘blue’ days is normal and fine, but what if you have a family that relies on you, or a job you are struggling to get to each day. Or what if you’ve been feeling under the weather for more than a couple of weeks, or having thoughts of self-harm?

So, who am I anyway and why am I telling you this?

Hi, my name is Sonja Keller and I am an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker, Counsellor, Psychotherapist and Clinical Supervisor…and I’m here to help YOU.

But right now, I’m frustrated for two main reasons.

Firstly, I am sick of seeing people not reaching their full potential because of trauma, feeling depressed, anxious or fearful.

And secondly, I can’t stand the stigma that prevents people like you from getting the help and support that you need. Real support – not the kind where you walk away feeling unheard, overwhelmed and with empty pockets when all you really need is empathy (real empathy), understanding and hope for your future.

So, what makes me different?

I have had 20 years’ experience working in mental health, corrective services, child protection and education. I’ve seen mental health manifest in many different ways. In fact, there is nothing that I haven’t seen, heard before or worked with.

In other words, nothing you could say or do would shock me.

One thing I have learnt from my many years of clinical experience, is that… (wait for it)

You are your own greatest expert!

No one understands how you feel and what you are experiencing better than YOU!

Secondly, no matter how bad you feel, or how awful your circumstances, you have strengths (YES YOU DO!) and have developed your own strategies for getting through difficult times.

I will help to identify and harness your strengths, build on your strategies and support you with evidence-based tools (that means stuff that works) to overcome your dysfunction, distress and inner turmoil and become your best self.

As a social worker that specialises in mental health, I work holistically. I understand that dysfunction does not stem merely from biochemistry of the brain. There are many elements involved in creating problematic experiences, so understanding the individual in context with their environment is crucial.

So how does this work?

I see individuals, couples and families in either one-to-one or group settings. I work face-to-face in my Sydney offices (Penrith and Blue Mountains) and do Telehealth (phone and video conferencing).

Confidentiality, safety, integrity and transparency are the hallmarks of my practice. Some people will only see me a handful of times, while others come fortnightly or monthly for years (they clearly like coming and get a lot out of it!).
Medicare, NDIS, Victims Services are all welcome.

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Alternatively, call now to receive a free 15 minute consultation about your therapy goals and how we might work together.