ABOUT

At Blooming Life Institute, we take a holistic and compassionate approach to personal wellness. We recognize that loss—whether visible or invisible—shapes our development and sense of self across the lifespan. Our work centers on helping individuals navigate these changes with greater insight, meaning, and connection.

Through counselor education, clinical supervision, growth groups, workshops, and international retreats, we offer a framework that fosters self-understanding and healing beyond loss. Whether you're a counselor-in-training, a professional seeking growth, or someone on a personal journey, our approach blends deep psychological insight with authentic, human-centered care.

We believe each person carries a unique and inherent potential. Our mission is to help you nurture that potential—with the right support, education, and guidance—so you can grow with purpose, reconnect with your inner wisdom, and live life in bloom.

TEAM

Sonya Lorelle, PhD

Sonya Lorelle is a licensed clinical professional counselor, registered play therapist-supervisor, and counseling professor with a deep passion for human development, healing, and creative expression. She earned her PhD in Counselor Education from Old Dominion University and her MS in Counseling from Missouri State University.

With over 23 years of experience in clinical and academic settings, Sonya specializes in grief and loss, play therapy, clinical supervision, and integrating neuroscience into the counseling process. She is the co-developer of the Transcending Model of Loss, a developmental, lifelong approach to understanding grief in all its forms—including invisible losses like identity shifts, divorce, and estrangement.

Sonya’s work has taken her beyond the classroom and therapy room into communities around the globe. She has trained counselors and provided services in Bhutan, India, and Thailand, supporting the international development of mental health services with care and cultural humility.

A creative at heart, Sonya also brings her love of music into her work. Her album, Into the Wild, explores themes of grief and personal transformation.

Her contributions to the field have been recognized with numerous awards, including the Counselor Educator of the Year Award from the Association for Child and Adolescent Counseling in Illinois, and national teaching awards from NCACES and ACES.

When she’s not teaching or writing, you may find her playing board games, camping, reading sci-fi, or traveling overseas.

Approach:

I view counseling as a partnership rooted in growth, not labels. I work from a wellness perspective, which means I see each person as moving along a continuum of health—not defined by deficits or diagnoses. I believe we all have an inner drive to grow and heal, especially when we feel safe, supported, and understood.

In our work together, I’ll help you explore how your past experiences, relationships, and inner beliefs shape your current patterns. At the same time, we’ll stay grounded in the present—identifying your strengths, building insight, and trying out new ways of thinking, feeling, and showing up in your life. Change takes time, but with reflection and action, meaningful and lasting transformation is possible.

License and Certifications:

Licensed Professional Counselor
Nationally Certified Counselor
Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor

Specialized trainings:

Advanced Enneagram Spectrum Training and Certification Program
Gottman Couples - level I
Neuro-Emotional Techniques Basics
EMDR-Sandtray Protocol in a Play Therapy
Working with Complex Trauma, Attachment Wounds, and Dissociation in the Play Room
Filial Therapy with Challenging Families: Skills for Working Effectively with Parents in Play Therapy
Trauma and Emotion Focused Therapy with Couples
Couples Therapy from the Southeast Institute for Group and Family Therapy
Undercurrent Therapy: Treat the Secret Wounds of Kids and Adults
Normalizing Acting-Out Behaviors in Kids
Play Therapy and Beyond: Treatment Techniques and Strategies with Children and
Pre-Adolescents
Family Play Therapy: Engaging Creative Energy and Enhancing Relationships by Dr. Eliana Gil
Parent Empowerment: Counseling Parents in Positive Child-Rearing Practices

Katie Atkins, PhD

Katie Atkins earned a PhD in counselor education and supervision and a master’s degree in counseling, both from Northern Illinois University, and a BA in psychology from Roosevelt University. She is a licensed professional counselor, nationally certified counselor, and approved clinical supervisor, and she holds a professional educator license in school counseling. She is a certified advanced grief counseling specialist.

Her interests include grief and loss and is co-writing a book on a new developmental model of the grief and loss process. She also has an expertise in military advocacy; counseling military service personnel, veterans, and military-connected children and families; telemental health; trauma-informed care; threat assessment model implementation; cultural immersion and study abroad opportunities; international counseling; social constructivist approaches to counseling; teaching and supervision; and school counselors and supervision.

She received the 2016 School Counselor Educator of the Year Award from the Illinois School Counseling Association, the 2015 Outstanding Women Student Award from Northern Illinois University, and and ACES Outstanding Teaching Award (2023).

When she’s not teaching or writing, you may find her traveling, playing with her young daughter, and spending time with her family,

Approach:

I approach counseling from a wellness perspective, and believe people function on continuum of health versus having deficits or illness. I help people gain control over their emotions and relationships and believe everyone is on a healing journey towards growth. I believe people reach their highest potential when they feel connected and find themselves able to be vulnerable in a safe space. Together, we co-create this safe space in which I am a collaborator as well as facilitator of growth in the journey.

The primary scope of my work includes teaching people strength identification, communication, boundary setting, and conflict resolution. I help adults and couples who are challenged with the pace of life and complexity of relationships. I provide a warm and relaxed space where you can explore your true values, desires, and address what is challenging you. Together, we'll explore how to evolve into a life that is both peaceful and exciting.

I understand people from a holistic perspective and often discuss the powerful mind-body connection. I believe behavior is purpose driven and often impacted by early experiences and the ways in which we came to understand the world around us, as well as familial relationships, and internal struggles. Additionally, I am present-focused, exploring individuals’ current thought, behavior, and feeling patterns, while maintaining a strengths-based focus. The change process is powerful, yet takes time. It consists of gaining insight through self reflection, while simultaneously action oriented and explores new ways to live your life in a healthy manner that connects and taps into the resourceful parts of your personality and values.

Licensure and Certifications:

Licensed Professional Counselor
Nationally Certified Counselor
Approved Clinical Supervisor
Professional Educator License: School Counseling
Certified Advanced Grief Counseling Specialist.

Specialized trainings:

Advanced Enneagram Spectrum Training and Certification Program
Gottman Couples - level I
Trauma and Emotion Focused Therapy with Couples
Neuro-Emotional Techniques Basics
Eating Disorder Prevention Initiative
Safe Zone Ally
Military Culture
Marine Corps Recruit Depo San Diego’s Educators Workshop

Past Presentations

Byrd, R., Donald, E., & Lorelle, S. (2022). Advocating and Supporting Transgender and Gender Expansive Children and Adolescents in Play Therapy. Presented at Association for Play Therapy Conference, St. Louis, MO.

Atkins, K. and Lorelle, S (2022, October). Trends in International Counselor Education: Cultural and Training Implications. Western Association for Counselor Education and Supervision. Portland, WA

Lorelle, S. and Atkins, K. (2022, October). Cultural Humility: Lessons Learned through a Counseling Cultural Immersion. Western Association for Counselor Education and Supervision. Portland, WA

Byrd, R., Lorelle, S., & Donald, E. (2022, February). Counseling Children and Adolescents: Legal and Ethical Issues in Competency and Training. Presentation at the Annual Law and Ethics in Counseling Conference, New Orleans, LA.

Byrd, R. Donald, E. & Lorelle, S. (2021, April). Supporting Children and Adolescents through the Complexities of Grief and Loss. Presented at the American Counseling Association (ACA) virtual conference.

Lorelle, S. (2021, October). Cultural Humility: Lessons Learned through a Counseling Cultural Immersion. Poster presented Association for Counselor Education and Supervision. Atlanta, GA

Atkins, K. M. & Lorelle, S. (2020, June ). Using the enneagram to assist military service members navigate individualistic and collectivistic systems. Poster accepted for the American Mental Health Counseling Association Conference, Las Vegas, NV, United States. (Due to COVID presentation was canceled).

Atkins, K. M., & Lorelle, S. (2019). 10 Guideposts for Whole Hearted Living. Presented at the Third Annual Interdisciplinary Project: Psychological Impacts of Near-death Experiences, Bangsaen, Thailand.

Michel, R., Lorelle, S. &, Wix, K. M. (2018, October). Enhancing Cultural Awareness through Transformative Cultural Immersion Experiences. North Central Association for Counselor Education and Supervision. Cleveland, OH.

Lorelle, S. (2018). Integrated Care for Anxiety. Presented at the Second Annual Interdisciplinary Project. Integrating Behavioral Health and Primary Care: Psychological Approaches Across the Lifespan, Bangsaen, Thailand.

Atkins, K. M., & Lorelle, S. (2018). Recognizing and Treating Trauma. Presented at the Second Annual Interdisciplinary Project. Integrating Behavioral Health and Primary Care: Psychological Approaches Across the Lifespan, Bangsaen, Thailand.

Lorelle, S. &, Wix, K. M. (2017, October). Transformative international counselor education: Preparing for training in global settings. Presented at the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision. Chicago, IL

Lorelle, S. (2017, April). Non-directive play therapy skills. International Play Conference: Perspectives and Practices in Play. Bangalore, India

Lorelle, S. (2016, July). Introduction to Play Therapy and Counseling Children. Play therapy workshop for RENEW counselors. Thimphu, Bhutan.

Lorelle, S. & Nirola, D. (2015, May) Mental Health Facilitator Training. Paro, Bhutan. Lorelle, S. & Hinkle, S. (2013, October) Mental Health Facilitator Training. Thimphu, Bhutan.