About Dr. Sonya Rai

“Exploring our desires, sexuality and understanding fantasy can open a new level of pleasure. Embrace it.”

Sonya is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker practicing psychotherapy in the state of California. She has earned a Master of Arts from California State University, Chico in Social Work (emphasis in Gerontology). She also has a Bachelor of Science degree from California State University, Northridge in psychology.  She is currently pursing a Ph.D in clinical sexology and certification for sex therapy. She has experience working with children, families, individuals in crisis and substance use. She has worked for years providing psychotherapy to individuals with severe behavioral health issues.

My therapeutic approach is mainly individualized for each client, though integrative and strength based in nature. My special interests are sexual health, intimacy, gender identity, LGBTQ+, relationship issues, stress management, depression, women's issues, trauma, substance abuse, gender identity, and low sexual desire.

I strive to create a safe, judgement free space where you feel comfortable sharing and welcoming vulnerability. My practice is designed to empower you to start a journey of healing through introspective communication. I have years education and experience within the mental health field, but I firmly believe “you know you best” I’m just here to guide you to a healthier version of you, all while ensuring you have the skills to succeed on your own.

I have explored different areas within mental health, but my current area of interest is sexuality. My path into the mental health profession was inspired by my own experience growing up within a strict South Asian culture that lacked education and conversation regarding sexual health. I learned that sexuality, gender identity, self expression and relationship intelligence are importance concepts when identifying individual life satisfaction. These topics can often times be taboo to discuss in our society, causing feelings of guilt and shame, causing increased isolation and loneliness, but my goal is to normalize these conversations and therapy.

-Dr. Sonya Rai, AASECT Certified Sex Therapist

APPROACHES:

• Sex Therapy

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

• PLISSIT MODEL

• Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR)

• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy(DBT)

SERVICES

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Trauma

• Adjustment Disorder

• Coping Skills

• Kink/Diverse Sexualities

• Sex Therapy

• LGBTQIA+

• Women's Health

• Sexual Dysfunction

• Women's Issues

• Life Transitions

• Intergenerational Trauma

Specialty Trainings:

• Medical Factors Related to Sexuality & Sexual Functioning

• Rekindling Desire

• Using Genograms in Sex Therapy

• Straight Guise: Understanding Male Sexual Fluidity

• Sexual Psychopharmacology

• Diagnosis and Treatment of Female Sexual Dysfunction

• Substance Abuse & Sexuality

• How Sex Works from Sex Workers

• Trauma, Drama, and Kink

• Somatic Sex Therapy

• Do You Have a Clitoris? And Other Questions Not to Ask an FGM/C Survivor

• Therapy with LGBTQIA Plus Clients

• The Intersection of Sexuality and Religion

• Transition Anxiety: Play, Pleasure, and Possibility beyond Trans 101

• What’s Next for Sex? How the latest innovations in sextech are transforming the way we mate, relate and masturbate

• Using Imago Relationship Therapy to Integrate Couples and Sex Therapy

• Overview of Sexual Response and Taking a Sexual History

• Deconstructing the Myth of Porn Induced Erectile Disorder (PIED) and how to help

• Erotic Self-Expansion for Sexual Trauma Survivors

• Elements of Therapy and Kink

• Diagnosis and Treatment of Male Sexual Dysfunction

• Navigating Secrets and Lies in Couples Sex Therapy: A Systemic and Holistic Approach

• Exploring Sexual Communication, Pleasure, and Freedom for Gender Minorities with Chronic Illness, Pain, and other Disabilities

• Female sexual complaints

• Forensic sexology

• Compulsive sexual behavior

• EMDR trained

• DBT training certification