Clinical Psychologist | Advanced Accredited Schema Therapist

Sonia is a Clinical Psychologist who works with adults and young people aged 16 years and over. She has worked in private practice for many years and has particular experience supporting people where difficulties have become longstanding, complex, or connected across different areas of their lives.

Her areas of interest include trauma, addiction and substance use, anxiety, mood difficulties, and complex interpersonal and relationship difficulties. She also works with people experiencing a broader range of concerns affecting their emotional and physical wellbeing.

People come to therapy at many different points. Some have a clear understanding of what they want to work on, while others may have spent a long time trying to cope, feel unsure about what is happening, or find it difficult to know where to begin. Sonia aims to provide a space where these experiences can be explored with curiosity and without judgement.

Visit Access Help – Treatment Services  -For information on treatment frameworks which underpin Dr Sonia Zammit’s approach

Sonia’s approach to therapy

Sonia values both evidence-based psychological treatment and the importance of a safe and validating therapeutic relationship. She works collaboratively, recognising that each person brings their own history, strengths, resources and understanding of their life.

Her work is primarily informed by Schema Therapy, which provides a framework for understanding how experiences across our lives can shape the ways we relate to ourselves, other people and our emotions. Depending on the needs of the person, Sonia may integrate approaches including EMDR, Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and mindfulness-based approaches.

Trauma-informed principles strongly underpin Sonia’s work. This includes recognising the importance of safety, choice and autonomy in therapy, particularly for people whose experiences may have left them feeling that these have been taken away.

Rather than approaching therapy with the expectation that there is one correct way forward, Sonia aims to help people develop a greater understanding of themselves and the patterns that may be keeping them stuck. Therapy can involve recognising both the difficulties a person is experiencing and the ways they have learned to cope and protect themselves along the way.

An important part of Sonia’s approach is supporting people to develop a stronger sense of hope, confidence and choice, and to identify changes that fit with their own values and circumstances. She believes that people bring considerable knowledge and capacity to their own healing, even when it may be difficult for them to recognise this themselves.

Trauma, addiction and complex difficulties

Sonia has longstanding experience working with trauma and addiction, including people whose experiences do not fit neatly within a single diagnosis or treatment framework.

For some people, substance use or other coping strategies have developed in response to distress, trauma, difficult relationships or overwhelming emotions. Sonia approaches these experiences without judgement and works collaboratively with people to understand the role they have played in their lives.

Her approach to substance use is within Schema Therapy frame work and informed by Motivational Interviewing and harm-minimisation principles. This means that people do not need to have already decided to stop using substances before seeking psychological support. Abstinence may be an important goal for some people, while others may initially want to reduce harm, better understand their substance use or consider what they would like to change.

The aim is to create enough space for people to talk honestly about where they are, rather than feeling they need to present themselves as being further along in the process of change than they actually are.

Psychedelic-assisted therapy and research

Sonia has undertaken professional training in psychedelic-assisted therapy and has clinical and research experience as a psychologist working within regulated psychedelic-assisted therapy settings.

Her clinical work in this area occurs only within appropriately regulated treatment settings and in collaboration with specialist psychiatrists holding the relevant Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) Authorised Prescriber authority. She has also worked as a therapist within approved psychedelic clinical research trials.

Her experience in this area contributes to her understanding of the developing research literature, psychological considerations, potential risks and limitations associated with psychedelic-assisted therapy and psychedelic experiences.

This information is included to describe Sonia’s professional background and experience. It is not intended to advertise, recommend or promote psychedelic-assisted therapy or the use, prescription, supply or availability of psychedelic substances.

Professional accreditation and memberships

·       Clinical Psychologist and Psychology Board of Australia-approved supervisor

·       Advanced Accredited Schema Therapist and member of the International Society of Schema Therapy (ISST)

·       Accredited EMDR Practitioner with the EMDR Association of Australia (EMDRAA)

·       Member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS) and APS College of Clinical Psychologists

·       Member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT)

·       Accredited Psychedelic-Assisted Therapist with the Australian Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Practitioners (AMAPP)

Supervision, coaching and training

Alongside her clinical work, Sonia provides supervision, coaching and training to psychologists, clinicians, allied health professionals and peer workers working across private practice, community and private health services.

Sonia values the opportunity to support the professional development of other practitioners. Her approach to supervision aims to provide space for reflection, curiosity and the development of confidence and clinical skills, while recognising that practitioners bring their own knowledge, experience and style to their work.

She has a particular interest in Motivational Interviewing and provides specialist supervision, coaching and training within a Motivational Interviewing framework. Sonia is a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers.

For supervision, coaching and training enquiries, please contact Sonia on 0474 149 909 or sonia.zammit@choicesmindandbody.com, or visit the Supervision, Coaching and Training page for information about upcoming workshops and coaching series.

Private practice

Sonia is currently on extended leave until early 2027. When returning private practice hours are Thursday and Friday, 9:30 am-2:30 pm.

Most appointments are provided via telehealth, with some clinic appointments available. Reception can provide further information about current availability and appointment options.