Hi! I’m Shifra Sonnenberg, and I’ve been working as a therapist since 2019. I’m a Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor (LGPC) in Maryland. I’ve completed and continue to pursue training in Reichian and Neo-Reichian somatic therapy approaches, which I incorporate into my work. I’ve also completed postgraduate training in complex trauma and trauma-informed care. I work with women ages 16 and older who are navigating anxiety, depression, shock trauma, relational trauma, grief, and other challenges that can leave us feeling disconnected from ourselves or the people around us.

 

Here are some of the ways I work. I believe that the experiences we move through in life can shape the ways we learn to protect ourselves, sometimes by hiding parts of who we really are. Through safety and connection, we can begin to explore these patterns and reconnect with ourselves. My goal is to create a safe container, where you feel seen and understood, and where you can begin to find your way back to your own truth.

 

My approach is warm, authentic, and deeply relational. I draw from somatic therapy, parts work, and psychodynamic approaches, with a particular emphasis on the body’s role in our emotional lives. Sometimes, we can understand our patterns intellectually and still find ourselves repeating them. Our bodies can hold experiences and feelings that we haven’t fully made sense of yet. By slowing down and paying attention to our sensations, we can begin to understand ourselves in ways that go beyond words alone.

 

I also believe that the therapeutic relationship itself can be a powerful space for change. The ways we experience closeness, navigate vulnerability, protect ourselves, and relate to others often show up in our work together. Rather than simply talking about these patterns, we can get curious about them as they happen, creating opportunities for deeper connection and a greater sense of safety in relationships.

 

My hope is that our work helps you move beyond simply coping and toward feeling more connected to your most alive self.