Sonia Dixon MBACP Counsellor/Counselling Supervisor
About me
*Currently offering sessions online*
With such a huge selection of counsellors to choose from, how do you pick one who is right for you? I think finding a good match is important, so I offer a free 30 min introductory session which gives you the chance to come and meet me in person (or online) and see if you think we would work well together, before you commit to booking any sessions.
We are all such unique individuals, with very different personalities and life experiences; through my Person-Centred approach I offer a warm and collaborative counselling relationship, which focuses on each clients unique experience. What I hope to create is a genuine therapeutic relationship with each client where they can do whatever it is they need to do - openly explore their fears or concerns, increase their understanding of themselves, process loss or life changes and in turn move to a less distressing place in their lives.
I have over 15 years' experience of working as a counsellor, I am a qualified counselling supervisor. I also have experience of teaching counselling skills and managing a counselling service. Although I work in a Person-Centred way, I also use creativity in my work, and draw on other humanistic models of therapy, depending on each client’s individual needs.
Although my experience of counselling is fairly wide reaching and I welcome clients into my practice with many different issues, I have a particular interest in working with clients who have experienced sexual abuse/violence.
I also have many years of experience of working with issues around gender and sexuality with LGBTQ+ and gender diverse clients.
What some clients have said about working with me:
Sonia's friendly attitude and ability to make me feel comfortable when talking about problems was most helpful; encouragement when and where required. I found it personally very helpful in moving forward.
I would absolutely recommend Sonia to others, she has enabled me to fully explore my life and way of being in a completely safe and accepting environment.
Sonia is clearly a very experienced counsellor. She immediately made me feel at ease and I always left the session feeling like I'd moved a bit further out of my confusion and distress.
I initially came for support through a difficult time (relationship breakup), but the sessions helped me to release and resolve much deeper and long-standing issues. I feel like a new person!
I felt safe, heard, respected and understood. It was a fantastic experience having counselling with Sonia and she really helped me explore what I wanted to look at in a kind gentle and friendly way.
I have made so many positive changes and found resources I didn't know I had during my time in counselling with Sonia. I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for a counsellor to work with.
Training, qualifications & experience
I have over 15 years' experience of counselling, including 10+ years in Private Practice.
Counselling experience includes:
- Addaction
- CRI/Equinox (Drug/Alcohol)
- The Womens Centre
- Brighton & Hove LGBT Switchboard Counselling Service
Qualified Counselling Supervisor, experience of 1:1 and group supervision:
- Terrence Higgings Trust
- The Haven Project
- Mankind
- Survivors Network
Other Counselling related experience:
- Tutor in Counselling Skills for Varndean College
- Freelance trainer in Counselling Skills
- Manager of Counselling Service for Age Concern Brighton, Hove & Portslade
Prior to counselling I managed a Diversity Programme for a national company, running workshops on Valuing Diversity, Disability Awareness, Bullying & Harrassment etc.
I also have an art background and have an interest in using creativity in counselling. For some clients using art materials can be a very rich way of expressing themselves, so please let me know if this is something you would be interested in.
Qualifications:
Post Graduate Certificate in Counselling Supervision
Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling
Advanced Certificate in Couple Therapy using The Arts.
Professional Graduate Certificate in Education (Post-Compulsory Education)
7407 City & Guilds Certificate in Further Education Teaching
BA (Hons) Fine Art
In addition to these formal qualifications I am committed to my continual professional development and attend a number of counselling related training/workshop/seminars each year.
Member organisations

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
BACP is one of the UK’s largest professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy. Therapists registered with the Association fall into a number of different membership categories such as Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP and Registered Member MBACP (Accred), each standing for different levels of training and experience. MBACP (Accred) and MBACP (Snr Accred) members have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by the Association.
Registered members can be found on the BACP Register, which was the first register to achieve Accredited Voluntary Register status issued by the Professional Standards Authority. Individual Members will have completed an appropriate counselling and/or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but will not appear on the BACP Register until they've progressed to Registered Member MBACP status.
All members are bound by a Code of Ethics & Practice and a Complaints Procedure. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
Accredited register membership

Accredited Register Scheme
The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.

Areas of counselling I deal with
Therapies offered
Fees
I offer short-term or long-term counselling. Sessions are usually held on a weekly basis. Sessions are 50 mins rather than a full hour.
Counselling
Individual Counselling £50 per hour
Relationship/Couple Counselling £70 per hour
Student Counsellors £40 per hour
Reduced Cost Counselling £30- £40 per hour (a limited number of low cost sessions are available, so please mention low cost when you contact me)
Supervision
Qualified Counsellors - £50 per hour (50mins) £80 for 1.5 hours (80 mins)
Counselling Students - £40 per hour (50mins)
Further information
Where is my counselling room?
I work from a counselling room in Hanover, just off Elm Grove which is easily accessed by bus, there is on street metered car parking nearby.
My full address will be given on contact.
More information:
Please take a look at my website for more information about me and my counselling practice and don't hesitate to contact me by e-mail/phone/text to discuss further or book a free 30 min introductory session.
I look forward to hearing from you.