MEET SONALI
Sonali Shivaji, M.A.C.P., B.Sc.
Canadian Certified Counsellor in Edmonton
Teen & Adult Therapist
Hello, I am Sonali Shivaji, a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) with CCPA and will soon be transitioning into a Registered Provisional Psychologist role at Solace Psychology & Wellness. I completed my Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology and I also have a Bachelor of Science in Psychology.
Therapy for Teens & Adults
My clinical areas of focus are in navigating developmental and transitional changes of identity, relationship, academics, profession, trauma, burnout prevention and management, crisis prevention and intervention. I enjoy helping teens and adults effectively manage anxiety (social, obsessive compulsive, general), depression, trauma symptoms, emotion regulation, panic attacks, lack of motivation, executive dysfunction, and crisis intervention.
When working with clients, I develop integrative and individualized counselling treatment plans and interventions from an anti-oppressive, harm-reduction, trauma informed, and client-centered perspective. My modalities of strength are Narrative Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and Solution Focused Therapy.
A Bit About Me
I was born in Saudi Arabia and raised in India until the end of elementary school. I started my life in Canada in rural Alberta; and began my education and career in the field of psychology in the City of Lethbridge. My life experiences around the world and passion for travel makes international mental health care and cultivation of accessible multicultural counselling interventions a priority to me. I speak English and Malayalam, and accept clients who speak either or both languages.
My hobbies and interests include makeup and fashion, digital art, photography and video editing, social media content creation, snowboarding, yoga, travel, reading, and spirituality.
AREAS OF SPECIALTY
- Academic Challenges/ Learning Disorders
- Addiction
- ADHD
- Anxiety
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Body Image Concerns
- Boundaries & Communication
- Burnout
- Career Changes
- Cultural Restoration
- Depression
- Disordered Eating
- Emotional Regulation
- Gender Identity
- Grief & Loss
- Life Transitions
- LGBTQ+
- OCD
- Self-Esteem & Confidence
- Sleep Concerns
- Sports Performance
- Stress Management
- Teen Counselling
- Trauma, Abuse & PTSD
- Work / School / Life Balance
SPECIALIZED TRAINING AND THERAPEUTIC MODALITIES
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Narrative Therapy
- Solution Focused Therapy (SFT)
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Art Therapy
- Compassion-Focused Therapy
- Meditation
- Mindfulness
- Motivational Interviewing
- Person-Centered Therapy
- Mental Health Documentation & Medical Necessity: Simple, Clear Guidelines that Maintain Quality of Care and Protect Your Practice - Beth Rontal, MSW, LICSW
- Comprehensive DSM-5-TRTM Updates: New Diagnoses, Coding Changes & Cultural Considerations - George Haarman, PsyD, LMFT
- Differential Diagnosis Challenges: Clients with Trauma, Self-Injury, Impulsivity and Other Complex Behaviors - Margaret Bloom, PhD
- Mastering Differential Diagnosis with the DSM-5-TRTM: A System-Based Approach - Margaret Bloom, PhD
Academic Credentials
- Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology, Yorkville University
- Bachelor of Science, Psychology, University of Lethbridge
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
- Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA)