Sonia Plaszewska, LCSWA
When life feels stuck, let’s look at what’s possible.
I work with adults and teens navigating anxiety, shame, and life transitions who want to understand themselves more deeply and build a life that feels more like their own.
Specialties: Anxiety | Shame and Self-Esteem | Feeling Stuck | Life and Relationship Crises
Therapeutic Approaches: EMDR | CBT | DBT | Motivational Interviewing (MI)
Appointments: In-Person in Durham, NC, Virtual throughout North Carolina | Monday–Friday, 2 PM – 8 PM
Currently accepting new clients.
Meet Sonia
I’ve always been curious about people - how we think, feel, make sense of our experiences, and relate to the world around us. That curiosity led me from studying psychology and organizational behavior to social work and the work I do today.
My experiences living, studying, and working across three continents and six countries have shaped how I understand people. I don’t believe there’s one right way to make sense of a person’s life. I enjoy helping clients look beneath the surface, question familiar narratives, and discover possibilities they may not have considered.
My style is thoughtful, warm, down-to-earth, and occasionally humorous, with room for both compassion and honest reflection. What I love most about this work is helping people rediscover their strengths, make peace with life's complexities, and begin building a life that feels authentically their own.
Get to Know Sonia
Explore her approach, specialties, and practical details.
Sonia may be a good therapist for you if…
Your inner critic seems to have an opinion about everything you do, and it’s rarely a kind one.
You compare yourself with others and wonder why your life doesn’t look the way you thought it would.
Anxiety or difficult emotions make even ordinary decisions feel exhausting.
You understand some of your patterns but still struggle to change them.
A personal, professional, or relationship crisis has left you questioning what comes next.
I can help you examine the beliefs and patterns shaping your experience, reconnect with your strengths, and explore a way forward that reflects what matters to you.
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Primary specialties
Anxiety
Shame, self-esteem, and self-worth
Feeling stuck and self-critical thinking
Personal, professional, and relationship crises
Domestic Violence
Sexual Assault
Trafficking Survivors
Court Involved
Additional areas of support
Emotional regulation and coping skills
Self-understanding and personal growth
Grief and loss, including complicated grief
Trauma-related concerns
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Ages:
Adults (18+)
Adolescents (13+)
Services:
Individual Therapy
Family Therapy
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License:
Licensed Clinical Social Work Associate (LCSWA), North Carolina
License P024751
Education:
Master of Social Work- Eastern Michigan University, Mental Health and Substance Abuse
Additional academic background in psychology and organizational behavior
Certifications & Trainings:
EMDR Trained
Clinical and graduate training in CBT, DBT, Motivational Interviewing, and complicated grief
Clinical experience in community mental health and forensic settings
International and intercultural experience
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): We examine the thoughts and underlying beliefs influencing how you feel about yourself, interpret situations, and respond to challenges.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): We develop practical skills for managing difficult emotions, tolerating discomfort, and responding to life's challenges with greater flexibility.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): EMDR is a structured therapy approach that can help people process distressing experiences and the negative beliefs associated with them, so those experiences may feel less overwhelming in the present.
Motivational Interviewing (MI): Through collaborative conversation, we explore your values, uncertainties, and motivations to help you find a direction that feels right for you.
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Aetna
Curative
Limited sliding scale spots available through Open Path Collective
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In Person and Virtual
Monday - Friday 2pm - 8pm
I'm warm and compassionate, but I'll also be honest and direct with you. Sometimes that means asking a question that makes you think, or helping you see something from a different perspective. I'm not here to tell you how to live your life. I'm here to help you better understand yourself and figure out what feels right for you.
We'll talk about what brings you to therapy and what you'd like to get out of it. Some sessions might be more practical, while others might involve taking a closer look at your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. I want you to feel comfortable telling me what helps and what doesn't. We can always adjust as we go.
You know yourself and your life better than anyone. I'll bring my curiosity, experience, and a fresh perspective, and we'll figure things out together.
What It's Like to Work With Me
What Change Can Look Like
Therapy isn't about becoming perfect or making every difficult feeling disappear. It can help you develop a more balanced understanding of yourself and respond to life's complications with greater flexibility.
A kinder inner voice: You begin recognizing self-critical thoughts without treating them as the final word on your worth.
More room for difficult feelings: You can experience uncertainty or discomfort while still making thoughtful decisions.
A clearer sense of direction: You reconnect with your strengths and take practical steps toward relationships and goals that matter to you.
Getting Started is Simple
Starting therapy is a big step, but it doesn’t have to be hard. Here’s how:
Schedule your free consultation
Reach out to us to share what you’re looking for. Click the “Get Started” button to take the first step to getting support
Meet with your therapist
Talk about what’s bringing you to therapy, what you’ve been experiencing, and what you hope to change
Create a plan together
Your therapist will work with you to find an approach tailored to your needs, goals and pace.
Begin your work
Build insight, develop skills and create meaningful change with ongoing support
Frequently Asked Questions
About Therapy with Sonia
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Absolutely. That inner critic can be exhausting. Together, we'll explore where those beliefs come from, how they're affecting your life, and how you can begin seeing yourself with more understanding and compassion.
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You don't need to have everything figured out. Sometimes feeling stuck is where our work begins. We'll explore what's weighing on you, what matters most to you, and what might help you move forward.
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EMDR is a therapy approach that helps people process distressing experiences and the beliefs connected to them. It can be particularly helpful when past experiences continue to affect how you feel about yourself or respond to situations today. We can explore whether it's a good fit for you.
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Both! I'm warm and compassionate, but I'm also direct. I'll listen without judgment, ask questions, and sometimes challenge you to see things differently. I believe therapy works best when we can be open and honest with each other.
Click the button below to message our team if you have any other questions about Sonia
Ready to Get Started?
Starting therapy can feel like a big step, especially when you’re unsure what to expect. If my approach resonates with you, I invite you to start with a conversation.
Schedule a free consultation today.
How to Get Started
Ready to meet with a therapist?
Click the button below to Schedule an Appointment or Free 20 Minute Consultation online
Do you have any questions or need help finding a therapist?
Fill out the contact form below. We will respond within 24 hours.
We are conveniently located at
6 Consultant Pl. Ste 100B, Durham, NC 27707
In-person visits by appointment only.