We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sonya Antoine a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Sonya, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

I knew on the journey to pursuing my last Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling that one day I would open my own private practice. It was always a dream of mine!! But, in order to reach that dream I had to get through the program 1st. I started the CMHC program at Walden University in 2014 and completed it in 2020. Yes, a huge gap!! But, as we know life throws us curveballs. Along the way to becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor, I faced many many challenges, but God made a way for me.

In October of 2015, I was in a car accident which forced me to withdraw from the program. I experienced 3 major curveballs following the car accident that I will briefly share here…1) my car was totaled and I took a major financial hit because I was out of work for over 6 months, 2) my mental well being took a significant hit as I was diagnosed with anxiety and depression following the car accident. I began suffering from panic attacks weeks following the accident and my entire world as I knew it had changed, tremendously. I realized that I had been functioning on high levels of anxiety for years, but made it work only for me to have to face it head on years later, and 3) six months laters while still under my doctor’s care and unemployed, I was accused of practicing counseling without a license and served a cease and desist notice from the licensing board in May of 2016. I could share so many more life challenges here, but I highly recommend you get a copy of the book I co-authored along with 9 other amazing authors titled “The RESET Journey: From Surviving to Thriving” to read more about my life challenges on my journey to becoming.

I was able to re-enroll at Walden University in 2018. With no room for financial aid because I had maxed out, again God made a way for me to pay for school out of pocket. I was willing to take the risk and bet on myself to complete the program. I had no idea how it was going to all work out, but it did. God made a way!! I completed the program in August of 2020. I went through two more years of supervision to obtain my 3,000 hours before I was officially licensed with the licensing board in October of 2022. It was all worth it!! In December of 2022, I took a leap of Faith (another risk…lol) and did what I describe as a Faith Jump. With tears in my eyes, I signed the lease on my office space and was given the keys. All of this ultimately lead to me opening the doors of my private practice – Positively Affirmed Therapeutic Services on January 3, 2023.

Sonya, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I built my business on the premise of positive affirmations because there is power in “I AM”!! I believe in the power of positively affirming myself and encouraging others to do the same; hence, the movement behind my signature phrase “I AM…Define who you are”!!

My practice is dedicated to empowering girls and women by providing tailored support that extends beyond individual experiences. I am committed to assisting not only women, but also those who love and support them, creating a holistic approach to well-being for everyone involved.

Whether it be one-on-one sessions, engaging the youth in attendance at my Youth Mental Health Summits, Group Therapy for Girls or Group Coaching for Women sessions, Release & Relaxation events, or in a room full of college athletes. My ultimate goal is to help each person define who they are while empowering them to embrace their mental health and become better versions of themselves.

My goal is to guide clients on their therapeutic journey through the use of practical skills, techniques, and psychoeducational materials. I believe in the power of positive thinking, mindfulness, and embracing the journey in becoming a better version of yourself.

If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?

I most definitely would choose this profession. Honestly, I feel like this profession chose me. I always knew I wanted to be in this counselor in private practice, but had several detours only to end up right where I dreamed I would be. I wholeheartedly believe that I AM passionate and purposed for this assignment!!

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

With everything I faced on this journey to becoming a licensed professional counselor from the time I started in 2014 until the time I was officially licensed in 2022, I should have thrown in the towel. So many would have, but I stayed focused, determined, and motivated even with ALL of the distractions and curveballs life threw on my path. God made what I thought was Impossible, Possible!!! I did it and now my children, my family and friends, my clients, and so many others can see from my story and resilience, that you can achieve your dreams if you just believe, never give up on you, be willing to take risks, and have Faith!!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://positivelyaffirmedtherapeuticservices.org/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/positively_affirmedsonya
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/positivelyaffirmedwSonyaTsouras/
• Other: Psychology Today – https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/sonya-antoine-lafayette-la/814191