ABOUT

Sonya Lorelle received her Ph.D. in Counselor Education from Old Dominion University and her M.S. in Counseling from Missouri State University. She is a licensed professional counselor and has her registered play therapist credential. She has an interest in play therapy, couples therapy, supervision, and neuroscience applications in the counseling field.   

She also has an interest in grief and loss and has co-wrote a book on a new developmental model of the grief and loss process with her colleague, Dr. Atkins. 

She also has an interest in international counseling and has volunteered to train and provide counseling overseas in Bhutan, India, and Thailand.  

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She received the Counselor Educator of the Year Award for the Doctoral Program from the Association for Child and Adolescent Counseling in Illinois (2018) and the NCACES Outstanding Professional Teaching Award (2018) and ACES Outstanding Teaching Award (2019).

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Approach:

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I approach counseling from the wellness perspective.  This perspective considers people to be functioning on a continuum of health rather than looking for a deficit or illness.  I see that everyone is on a journey with an inherent drive towards growth.  I believe within a supportive relationship, we are able to make strides towards our fullest potential.  I am a collaborator and a facilitator and a partner in this journey.  

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I understand people from a holistic perspective.  Behavior is purpose driven and can be impacted by early experiences, family relationships, and internal conflicts between who we are and the messages we received from our world.  At the same time, I am present-focused, exploring individuals’ current thought and feeling patterns, looking for strengths to build on. The change process consists of gaining insight through self reflection,  but also action oriented by exploring new ways of thinking, doing, and being in order to create lasting change. 

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License and Certifications:

• Licensed Professional Counselor

• Nationally Certified Counselor

• Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor

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Specialized trainings:

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• 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

Peer Reviewed Publications:

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• Atkins, K. & Lorelle, S. (2022). Cultural humility: Lessons learned through a counseling cultural immersion. The Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

•  Byrd, R., Lorelle, S., & Donald, E. (2021). Transgender and gender-expansive affirming child-centered play therapy. International Journal of Play Therapy, 30(2), 146–156. 

•  Lorelle, S., Atkins, K., & Michel, R. (2021). Enhancing Social Justice and Multicultural Counseling Competence through Cultural Immersion: A Guide for Faculty. The Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision, 14(1). https://repository.wcsu.edu/jcps/vol14/iss1/4/

•  Yehudah, S. B. & Lorelle, S. (2020). Black birth outcomes and implications for counseling, Journal Professional Counseling: Practice, Theory & Research, 47(2), 46-60, 

• Michel, R., Lorelle, S., & Atkins, K. M.,  (2018). LEAD with Data: A Training Approach for School Counselors. The Professional School Counselor, 21

• Lorelle, S. & Michel, R. E. (2017). Neurocounseling: Promoting human growth and development throughout the lifespan. Adultspan Journal, 16(2), 106-119.

• Lorelle, S. & Grothaus, T. (2015). Homeless children and their families' perspectives of agency services. Community Mental Health Journal, 51(7), 800-808.

• Guth, L., Lorelle, S., Hinkle, S., &. Remley, T. (2015). Development and implementation of an international counseling outreach effort in Bhutan: A group stage conceptualization. Journal for Specialists in Group Work, 40, 22-37.

• Lorelle, S. & Guth, L. (2013). Establishing the school counseling profession in Bhutan: Reflections from the field. Journal of International Counselor Education, 5, 1-13.

• Shaw, B., Bayne, H., & Lorelle, S. (2012).  A constructivist perspective for integrating spirituality into counselor training.  Counselor Education and Supervision, 51, 270-280.

• Lorelle, S., Crockett, S., & Byrd, R. (2012). Counseling and globalization: Professional Issues for Counselors. The Professional Counselor, 2,  115-123.

• Hays, D. G., Michel, R. E., Cole, R. F., Emelianchik, K., Forman, J., Lorelle, S., McBride, R., & Sikes, A. (2011). A Phenomenological Investigation of Adolescent Dating Relationships and Dating Violence Counseling Interventions. The Professional Counselor, 1, 222-233.

• Lorelle, S., Crockett, S., & Hays, D. (2011).  Human services professional and trainee perceptions of conflict in the helping relationship. Journal of Human Services. 30, 30-42.

• Grothaus, T.,  Lorelle, S., Anderson, K., & Knight, J. (2011). Answering the call: Facilitating responsive services for students experiencing homelessness. Professional School Counseling, 13, 38-49.

Book Chapters:

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• Lorelle, S. (2017). Family Play Therapy. In J. Carlson & S. Dermer (Eds.). The SAGE Encyclopedia of Marriage, Family, and Couples Counseling. Thousand Oaks, CA.

• Lorelle, S. (2017). Brief Adlerian Couples Counseling. In J. Carlson & S. Dermer (Eds.). The SAGE Encyclopedia of Marriage, Family, and Couples Counseling. Thousand Oaks, CA.

• Carlson, J & Lorelle, S. (2017). Adlerian Psychology. In A. Wenzel (Ed.). The SAGE encyclopedia of abnormal and clinical psychology. Thousand Oaks, CA.

• Carlson, J & Lorelle, S. (2016). Daily Dialogue. In S. Fife (Ed.). Techniques in Couple Therapy.

• Carlson, J & Lorelle, S. (2016). Taking Responsibility. In S. Fife (Ed.). Techniques in Couple Therapy

• Lorelle, S. (2015). Children Experiencing Trauma, PTSD, or Anxiety: Using Worry Rocks. T In C. Sori, L.

• Hecker, & M. Bachenberg  (Eds.) The Therapist's Notebook: Homework, Handouts, and Activities for Use in Psychotherapy (2nd ed.). Routledge, New York, NY.

• Lorelle, S. (2013). Life Roles Analysis Review.  In C. T. Wood & D. Hays, D. (Eds.) A counselor's

• guide to career assessment instruments (6th ed.). Broken Arrow, OK: National Career Development Association.